ALBULARYO – Here are some interesting facts about this traditional healer in the Philippines using unorthodox practices.
In many rural areas, many people still turn to traditional healers known as albularyos. These healers use natural remedies and spiritual practices to treat various physical and emotional illnesses.
While their methods may seem unorthodox, they remain an important part of Filipino culture, especially in areas with limited access to modern healthcare.
In the Philippines, a traditional healer is a unique figure who blends the old with the new. They are trusted by many in remote areas where hospitals and doctors are hard to reach. Through herbal medicine, spiritual rituals, and old Filipino healing practices, they continue to provide care where other options might be scarce.
History and Origin
The practice of being a folk healder has deep roots in the Philippines, tracing back to indigenous healers called babaylans. These spiritual leaders were the community’s go-to for healing long before the Spanish colonization.
When the Spanish arrived, Christian elements merged with traditional Filipino healing methods, forming what we now call albularyo. The term itself is derived from the Spanish word herbolario, meaning “herb specialist.”
Common Practices
- Herbal remedies:
- They use local plants, roots, and oils to create natural medicines.
- These remedies are often tailored to treat specific physical or health concerns.
- Spiritual healing:
- Rituals play a key role in their practices.
- Orasyon (prayers): They recite specific prayers to invoke healing powers and restore balance.
- Tawas (divination): This involves using eggs or crystals to diagnose the cause of ailments, revealing spiritual imbalances.
- Belief in spiritual causes of illness:
- They believe that many illnesses may be spiritually rooted.
- They use their prayers and rituals to help remove spiritual blockages and restore the body’s natural balance.
Despite skepticism from modern medicine, albularyos play a major role in Filipino communities, especially in rural areas.