Faith Healing: Philippine Mythology and Folklore (original) (raw)
Albularyo is a general practioner in faith healing. Albularyo or Herbal doctor. Albularyo is often called to cure a sick person, mostly in the rural areas of the Philippines. In previous years, there were no hospitals or clinic in the remote areas in the Philippines. You may find a small clinic but it is far from the remote community and unable to travel that long. ALbularyo are known to treat illness such as sprains, fractures, a possessed person by an engkanto (evil spirits) or any illness that cannot be cured by modern medicine.
Albularyo are the elders in the provinces who were taught by their ancestors about faith healing using medical herbs or leaves of herbal plant, prayers, ritual, coconut oil, tawas and other. A Faith healing, a calling from the Creator and God-given special power to help and cure people in a religious ways. Every healer has their own way to cure a person. It may differ from region to another but has the same purpose.
Albularyo are able to cure mild sprain, they have techniques and often use a coconut oil to massage the part of the body. They also use leaves to veneer the affected sprain. Talampunay, herba buena, kamangkaw, and other medicinal plants are used to patch the sprain area.
If a person who suffer from illness, which the modern medicine is unable to cure, the patient often go to an Albularyo to seek help using his traditional method of healing. It is also popular to ask help from Faith healer when someone is cursed by a mangkukulam, dwende, nuno sa punso, engkanto and other evil spirits. Albularyo has the knowledge to drive them away, they usually perform a ritual, offerings and prayers. The patient gave all their trust to a faith healer, they believe that he can help to cure them, and by a strong faith and belief he will be healed.
Albularyo accept patient during Tuesdays and Fridays, they believe that this are days were their healing power is stronger and effective to drive away bad spirit that cause ailments.
Albularyo doesn’t accept payment, but patients are voluntarily giving donations after a ritual, in cash or in kind.
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