Alternative Medicine: A Course to Healthy Living

         This focus study entitled " Alternative Medicine: A Course to Healthy Living" is an entry for "Doon Po Sa Amin" learning challenge under Health and Wellness category. This is a descriptive study about the health status of the residents of Purok Malambu-on, Barangay Calumpang , General Santos City.

           It aims to give information to the public about the alternative medicines commonly used in treating the common illnesses. To the community, it provides information to the residents to let them know about the alternative  medicines, their uses  and how these are prepared, and to the school, it adds information to the students regarding herbal medicines that can be also used to their studies.

Rationale:

        Nowadays, some common illnesses can be cured even there is no enough budget. Herbal is defined as the use of natural herbs and plants for the treatment of good health.

       Plant contains a wide range of chemical compounds. And some of these chemical compounds have been proved to be effective against illnesses (http://www.plantcultures.org/themes/medicine_using_herbal_medicines.html). Many factors affect how effective an herb will be. For example, the type of environment in which a plant grew (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/herbal-medicine-000351.htm).

       However it is important to remember that some plant compounds are poisonous and ineffective. Although herbal is natural it does not necessarily mean it is safe .

         But do not worry by our emphasis on safety. We are not suggesting that you should be scared in using herbs. We just want you to use the herbs with care and we want you to pay attention to some safe-use guidelines.