Quantitative analysis and systematic review of the traditional plants used

This ethnobotanical study documents the medicinal plants that are utilized by the Sama tribe of the Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. It aimed to establish the quantitative analysis and systematic review of the ethno medicinal practices of the Sama Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. Snowball sampling was utilized as the sampling method and descriptive research design was utilized. Interviews and semi-structured questionnaires were translated into the Sama dialect. This was utilized in gathering the data from the 50 Sama healers residing at Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, and which majority of them were female. The collection and identification of plants, plants were pressed and mounted using the herbarium techniques, and the validation of the identified plant species was verified after. The systematic review was utilized to determine the active bio-isolates and bioactivities of the medicinal plants that are utilized by the Sama healers. Use-category, use-report, use value, informant consensus factor, and fidelity level were used for the quantitative ethno medicinal analysis. Forty-seven (47) medicinal plants were cited by the respondents and thirty (30) families were identified. Lamiaceae is the most widely used plant family by the Sama healers due to its medicinal constituents, which include a strong aromatic essential oil, tannins, saponins, and organic acids. The leaves were the most used for treatment. In terms of preparation, decoction was commonly used, and it was taken orally.