Awareness and Utilization of Senior High School Students on Herbal Medicinal Plants

Jose Emanuel O. Aquino, Joe Dinhel M. Depaynos, Zyneth Earl G. Lappao, Siahky Sheen A. Capuyan, Rain
Dannah G. Molintas, Judah Zoe Athaliah G. Noefe, Jasmine E. Sopa
University of the Cordilleras, Senior High School

Abstract

Herbal Medicines are commonly accepted as a primary source of healthcare due to their natural origin. However,
this widespread popularity is counterbalanced with the lack of relevant research. This study aimed to determine
the DOH approved medicinal plants awareness and utilization among the Science Technology Engineering
Mathematics (STEM) Students in the University of the Cordilleras. Specifically, it determined the level of
awareness and utilization of the ten DOH approved herbal medicinal plants. The extent of awareness on ten DOH
approved herbal plants had been identified; determined the extent of utilization of herbal plants. The study made
use of correlational-descriptive type of design. The participants were chosen through quota-convenience
sampling. Online survey questionnaires were used to gather the data needed. The methods used to determine the
results were Pearson correlation coefficient. The results indicate that the awareness of the students among herbal
plants and the utilization of the students on herbal plants have a weak moderate relationship.

Keywords: herbal plants, STEM, DOH, senior high school, UC

INTRODUCTION to the recognition of these plants’ contribution to the
Medicinal plants have been around for a long time. In field of medicine and its impact to the population.
fact, most of our population use traditional medicines These medicinal plants have been tried and tested by
for primary health care. In recent years, herbal their ancestors and are orally transmitted to the
remedies have been considered as dietary supplements younger generation (Balongcod, 2018).
for disease prevention and as
alternative/complementary medicine (Woo et al., A group of researchers from the Philippines and
2012). These medicinal plants are known to be either Thailand looked into literature from various databases
used directly or through other approaches to cure about the ten (10) DOH approved medicinal plants.
certain diseases. They also may be recognized to be They published their findings as recommended
the sources of mainstream conventional medicines Medicinal Plants as Source of Natural Products: A
that we use today. Review, using the electronic literature review method
to collect medicinal uses and natural products found in
In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) the aforementioned plants. The gathered data can be
estimated that four billion people or about 80% of the summed up as follows: Allium sativum for the
planet's population presently use herbal medications treatment of wounds, hypertension and toothache;
for primary health care and other people square Blumea balsimifera is effective in diuretic treatment
measure reckoning on some style of ancient for hypertension; Cassia alata can be used to treat
medication. The Philippines’ Department of Health scabies, fungal infection, athlete’s foot, tinea flava,
(DOH) acknowledges ten (10) medicinal plants, which and ringworm; Clinopodium douglasii to treat muscle
are enumerated as follows: Allium sativum pain, arthritis, rheumatism, cough, and headache;
(garlic/bawang), Blumea balsamifera (nagal Ehretia microphylla for the treatment of diarrhea and
camphor/sambong), Cassia alata (ringworm stomachache; Momordica charantia is used to treat
bush/akapulko), Clinopodium douglasii (mint/yerba diabetes mellitus; Peperomia pellucida for the
buena), Ehretia microphylla (scorpion bush/tsaang treatment of gout and rheumatism; Psidium guajava
gubat), Momordica charantia (bitter melon/ampalaya), can be used for the treatment of wounds and diarrhea;
Peperomia pellucida (silver bush/ulasimang bato), Quisqualis indica for anti-helminthic medicine; and
Psidium guajava (guava/bayabas), Quisqualis indica Vitex negundo for the treatment of cough, asthma, and
(rangoon creeper/niyug-niyogan), and Vitex negundo fever (Boy et al., 2018). Though these medicinal
(five-leaved chaste tree/lagundi) (Boy et al., 2018). plants are already proven to be useful for curing
Following this, DOH then declared these 10 herbal various diseases, the researchers concluded that there
plants as alternative medicines, promoting their use are numerous more ethnobotanical plants that need to
and development as medicinal products. This also led be studied for the benefits of society.
A group from the Lyceum of the Philippines Statement of the Problem
University (LPU), Batangas City also studied the The study aims to determine the awareness
awareness and utilization of the DOH approved and utilization of Senior High School STEM Students
medicinal plants among Batangueños using a self- of the University of the Cordilleras regarding herbal
made questionnaire. From the data gathered in this medicinal plants. This is will be attained after
study, most Batangueños are indeed aware of the answering the following questions:
DOH approved plants and their uses. Bayabas,
ampalaya and sambong were the most recognized 1. What is the level of awareness of Senior
while bayabas, ampalaya and lagundi were the most High School STEM students on the use of
used. Meanwhile, the results revealed that among the herbal medicinal plants?
non-approved medicinal plants, Batangueños were 2. To what extent do the students utilize
most familiar with tawa-tawa, oregano and luyang medicinal plants?
dilaw (Tolentino et al., 2019). 3. What relationship exists between the
students' awareness and utilization of
A study called Ethnomedicinal Plants in Bayabas, medicinal plants?
Sablan, Benguet Province, Luzon, Philippines H0: There is a positive moderate relationship
documented the locals’ knowledge on medicinal between the students’ awareness and
plants and the components associated with them such utilization of medicinal plants.
as the plant part used, mode of preparation and the
diseases cured. 75 plants were identified from the
residents of Bayabas, Sablan, Benguet that are known MATERIAL AND METHODS
to be used for medicinal purposes. The leaves which
are usually decocted or boiled are the most commonly The researchers used the quantitative approach in
used for treating different diseases. Moreover, the conducting this study, specifically the correlational
most common of these diseases by which the residents descriptive research design. According to Askarzai
of the community are best familiar with are cough, (2017), quantitative research is the process of
kidney ailments, ulcers, stomach aches and urinary collecting and analyzing numerical data. It can be
tract infections among others. used to find patterns and averages, make predictions,
test causal relationships, and generalize results to
The knowledge of these medicinal plants and the wider populations (Bhandari, 2020). Meanwhile, a
practice of using them are often confined within the correlational study seeks to identify relationships
communities of indigenous people and/or traditional between two or more variables (Tan, 2014). Using the
families. This knowledge may not be large-scale as correlational descriptive design, the researchers were
there are limited documentations to provide able to understand and assert the relevance between
information to the public. The practice may also be the population’s awareness and utilization of
known to have risks. Despite this, the majority of the medicinal plants.
population, especially in the Cordilleras, adhere to
their practices of using traditional medicines in The population surveyed in this study belongs to the
treating diseases and enhancing one’s general health Grade 12 Senior High School Science, Technology,
and well-being. Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students from
the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City
enrolled during the school year 2020-2021. The
The findings of the study will cater to the benefit of
researchers used quota convenience sampling in
the students involved and those who will read this
choosing the respondents. In quota sampling,
study as it intends to promote easier and alternative
characteristics of a major population are represented
ways of medical care. Any new knowledge and
by sampling a proportional total (Etikan et al., 2017).
information that the researchers may obtain about
Meanwhile, convenience sampling is a type of
medicinal plants and their uses may very well draw
nonprobability sampling in which people are sampled
the line between harm and recovery. This study will
simply because they are convenient sources of data for
help the researchers comprehend and interpret the
researchers (Lavrakas, 2008). A sample of 60 students
preexisting knowledge of senior high school STEM
were surveyed from the grade 12 of the STEM
students on medicinal plants and their utilization and
academic track to represent the population of senior
be able to enlighten others with their understanding
high school STEM students in the University of the
from the results and recommendations from this study.
Cordilleras. The researchers focused on the STEM
students of the University of the Cordilleras because it
3.25-4.00 Strongly Very Students
was easier to choose and contact the respondents as
Agree Aware / are very
they belonged to the same population.
Often aware /
often
The data gathering tool used in this study is a survey.
utilizing
A survey aims to make inferences about a population
medicinal
by examining a sample from that population (Young,
herbal
2016). Quantitative surveys, to be precise, ask
plants.
questions with specific, usually numerical answers to
be able to analyze the data quickly (Harland, n.d.). 2.50-3.24 Agree Moderatel Students
The researchers looked into articles related to their y Aware / are
study. A survey questionnaire was then adapted from Sometimes moderately
a questionnaire by Bella P. Magnaye (RN, PhD) aware /
which was used in a study entitled Herbal Medicine sometimes
Utilization among Batangueños. It was categorized utilizing
into four parts: the general awareness of medicinal medicinal
plants, the awareness of the ten (10) DOH approved herbal
medicinal plants including their preparations, plants.
identification of the extent of use of ten (10) DOH
approved medicinal plants and lastly, the awareness of 1.75-2.49 Disagree/ Slightly Students
medicinal plants not approved by DOH. This survey Rarely Aware are slightly
questionnaire was accomplished in Google Forms, for aware /
the convenience of both researchers and respondents rarely
given the circumstances. utilizing
medicinal
All information that the respondents needed to know herbal
about this study and the researchers was indicated in plants.
the Google Forms. The link to be directed to the
survey questionnaire was sent out to the respondents 1.00-1.74 Strongly Not Aware Student are
to be answered. Disagree / strongly
Never not aware /
The respondents’ answers were quantified using a never
four-point Likert scale: a) Strongly Disagree, utilizing
Disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree for the level of medicinal
awareness of medicinal plants and b) Often, herbal
Sometimes, Rarely, and Never for the extent of use of plants.
medicinal plants. A Likert scale is a rating system
designed to measure people's attitudes, opinions, or
perceptions with the categories of response coded in The researchers used Pearson correlation coefficient
numerical values to be defined for a specific study to define the relationship between the awareness and
(Jamieson, 2017). After the completion of answering utilization of senior high school STEM students of
all survey questionnaires, the responses were tabulated medicinal plants. The Pearson product-moment
in the Microsoft Excel software to be better correlation coefficient – also called Pearson
summarized. They were tallied and totalled. The correlation coefficient – is a measure of the strength of
mean equivalent for every total was computed. a linear association between two variables and is
denoted by r (Laerd Statistics, 2020). The results were
Table 1. Scale for Senior High School Students used to determine the level of awareness and the
Awareness and utilization on Medicinal Herbal utilization of Grade 12 STEM Senior High students
Plants regarding medicinal plants.

The correlation coefficient is a statistical measure of

Statistical Qualitative Qualitative Explanatio the growth of the relationship between the relative
Limit Descriptio Equivalent n movements of two variables (Fernando, 2020).
n
Cohen’s Standard for Correlation Coefficient Garlic, mint,
guava, ampalaya,
Statistical Limit Qualitative Equivalent and lagundi are
some of the
± 0.10 to ± 0.29 Weak Correlation medicinal plants
approved by the
Department of 3.33 Aware
± 0.30 to ± 0.49 Moderate Correlation Health (DOH).

± 0.50 to ± 1.0 Strong Correlation The other

medicinal plants
The data gathered from the online questionnaires were approved by the
tallied, organized, and tabulated in order to determine Department of
the respondents’ awareness of medicinal plants and Health (DOH)
their utilization, as well as the relation between these include
sambong, 2.77 Moderately
two variables.
akapulko, tsaang Unaware
gubat, ulasimang
Results and Discussion bato/pansit-
pansitan, and
The study determined the Awareness and Utilization niyog-niyogan.
of Medicinal Herbal plants of the Grade 12 STEM
students from University of the Cordilleras and if Specific parts of
there is a relationship exists between the students' a plant can be
awareness and utilization of medicinal plants. As used in the
indicated in the previous chapter, there were 60 preparation of
respondents who answered the online survey herbal 3.38 Aware
medications such
questionnaire that was prepared by the researchers.
as its stem,
The results obtained were put through statistical leaves, bulbs,
analysis and are presented in this present chapter. and seeds.

Table 2 shows the weighted mean distribution among Certain

the respondents’ awareness of medicinal plants with a preparation
composite mean of 3.28 and was interpreted as aware. methods of
Among the items cited, the awareness that there are medicinal plants
proper ways to use medicinal plants such as drinking, include boiling, 3.04 Aware
bathing, and direct application got the highest infusing in
computed mean followed by the awareness that alcohol solution,
direct
medicinal plants can be used as an alternative to help
application, and
cure common ailments such as cough, cold fever, and bathing.
stomachache.
There are proper
To provide a qualitative interpretation of the ways to use
computed mean for Awareness and Utilization of medicinal plants
Senior High School Students on Medicinal Herbal such as drinking, 3.53 Moderately
Plants the following scale was used: bathing, and Aware
direct
Table 2. Awareness of Senior High School application.
Students on Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants
can be used as an
Attitude alternative to
Indicator help cure
Mean Interpretation common 3.42 Aware
I am aware ailments such as
that…. cough, cold
fever, and
 stomachache.
alternative to help cure common ailments such as
cough, cold fever, and stomachache. The use of
There are risks medicinal plants for prevention and treatment of
and side effects diseases now ranges from traditional and popular
for improper medicines of every country to the use of standardized
usage, 3.23 Aware and tritated herbal extracts (Firenzuoli, et al, 2007).
preparations, and Herbs are natural products and their chemical
ingestion of composition varies depending on several factors and
medicinal plants. therefore vary in use from people to people — from
Medicinal plants
energetic decoctions to the use of herbal extracts
cannot be used in following Western methodologies of mainstream
certain medicine (Anitha, et al, 2017). Traditional medicines
circumstances have a long history that consists of the practices based
such as 3.00 Aware on the theories, beliefs and experiences of different
pregnancy, or in cultures and times used in the maintenance of health,
children aged 4 as like in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement and
years old and treatment of illnesses (Firenzuoli, et al, 2007). Being
below. in a city of traditional ways and abundant plants, the
respondents form the University of the Cordilleras are
There are
limitations in
most aware of the preparations and methods of using
using medicinal medicinal plants on account of parents and
plants and grandparents using these as they grew up.
turning to 3.43 Aware
professionals for The fact that specific parts of a plant can be used in
consultations and the preparation of herbal medications such as its stem,
treatments. leaves, bulbs, and seeds, however, has been a common
knowledge to the respondents. Considering that the
There are respondents are students from the STEM track, the
medicinal plants respondents have learned this as part of their
that should not
curriculum. It is known that the most frequently used
be taken with 3.30 Aware
certain part in medicinal plants is the leaf, followed by the
manufactured stem and root but the knowledge to treat ailments with
drugs. traditional medicinal plants is usually acquired from
parents and grandparents (Tabuti, 2012).
Mean 3.28
Next, the respondents are also aware that garlic, mint,
The second in rank is the respondents’ awareness that guava, ampalaya, and lagundi are some of the
medicinal plants approved by the Department of
there are limitations in using medicinal plants and
turning to professionals for consultations and Health (DOH). The respondents’ knowledge of the
other DOH approved medicinal plants – namely
treatments. Although therapies involving medicinal
plants have shown promising potential with the sambong, akapulko, tsaang gubat, ulasimang
bato/pansit-pansitan, and niyog-niyogan – has the last
efficacy of a good number of herbal products clearly
established, many of them remain untested and their ranked mean. The respondents were more aware of the
former as these are more commonly used medicinal
use are either poorly monitored or not even monitored
at all (Ara, et al, 2020). Since safety continues to be a plants especially because these are used to treat
wounds, muscles pains, diarrhea, cough, and fever
major issue with the use of herbal remedies, it
becomes necessary that relevant regulatory authorities (Boy, et al, 2018).
put in place appropriate measures to protect public
It was only conclusive that the respondents were
health by ensuring that all herbal medicines are safe
aware that there are medicinal plants that should not
and of suitable quality (Ekor, 2014).
be taken with certain manufactured drugs. Doing so
The next ranked mean indicates that the respondents may alter a person’s function or cause an adverse
reaction, which can lead to a more serious illness
are aware that medicinal plants can be used as an
(Tolentino, et al, 2019). Dr. Catherine Ulbricht, an
American pharmacist and author on herbal medicines,
suggests that danger from mixing medicinal plants and
manufactured drugs is greatest in younger and older The students Mean Interpretation
people and those with multiple health conditions who use medicinal
take numerous pills (Hope, 2012). herbal plants…

Seventh in rank is the notion that there are risks and For medical care 2.38 Rarely
side effects for improper usage, preparations, and and health issues
ingestion of medicinal plants. As formerly mentioned, like headache,
stomachache and
the use of medicinal plants does not have much
the like.
recorded documentation to support it as well as is
confined within traditional families and communities. That are infused 2.95 Sometimes
Medicinal plants can be prepared in several ways in alcohol for
including soaking, decoction, infusions, maceration, medical care
and tinctures (Tolentino, et al, 2019).
For bathing. 2.09 Rarely
The next ranked mean indicates the respondents’
awareness of the certain preparation methods of On wounds or 2.55 Sometimes
medicinal plants which include boiling, infusing in similarly affected
body parts.
alcohol solution, direct application, and bathing.
Infusing medicinal plants in alcohol and water extract As a remedy 2.97 Sometimes
is used when plants have active chemicals that are not because it is
very soluble in water and/or when wanted for long cheaper
term storage (Taylor, 2005).
To obtain the 2.47 Rarely
The second to the last mean ranked indicates that the health benefits of
respondents are aware that there are limitations in using them.
using medicinal plants before turning to professionals
As a remedy 2.45 Rarely
for consultations and treatments. There are many
when it is
different systems of traditional medicine, and the available in our
philosophy and practices of each are influenced by the community.
prevailing conditions, environment, and geographic
area within which it first evolved (WHO, 2005). When my family 2.38 Rarely
Generally, the focus is on the overall condition of the uses them at
individual, rather than on the particular ailment or home.
disease from which the patient is suffering, and the
use of herbs is a core part of all systems of traditional For treating 2.52 Sometimes
medicine (Engebretson, 2002; Conboy, et al, 2007; asthma, cough
and colds, fever,
Rishton, 2008; Schmidt, et al, 2008).
dysentery, pain,
skin diseases and
The respondents are mostly aware of medicinal plants wounds.
as well as their preparations and uses. However, it was
also seen that most of the respondents are not aware of
some of the ten (10) medicinal plants approved by the As a remedy 2.58 Sometimes
Department of Health (DOH) as some of them are not because plants
commonly used despite being recommended by the work better than
DOH. other
manufactured
Table 3 shows how often the respondents use medicines (i.e.,
pills)
medicinal plants.
Mean 2.59 Sometimes
Table 3. Extent of Use of 10 DOH-Approved
Herbal Plants
From the results indicated in Table 2, the respondents beneficial preventive properties (Skrovankova, et al,
use medicinal plants as a remedy mostly because it is 2012). Medicinal plants are generally known and
cheaper. Medicinal plants are cheaper because they popular for a number of health benefits such as
can be easily grown in backyards or open spaces decreasing blood pressure, preventing cardiovascular
without much maintenance aside from being abundant diseases or reducing the risk of cancer also due to
in the Philippines (Tolentino, et al, 2019). their antioxidant activity (Skrovankova, et al, 2012).

The second ranked mean indicates that the Seventh in rank shows that the students use medicinal
respondents use medicinal plants that are infused in plants because of its availability in the country.
alcohol for medical care. According to the Academy Traditional medicine is still recognized as the
of Culinary Nutrition (2020), a tincture is a solution of preferred primary health care system in many rural
alcohol or alcohol with water, along with the plant communities, due to a number of reasons including
used for medicinal benefits. Tinctures make it easy to affordability and effectiveness (Mintah, et al, 2019).
consume the natural health-boosting chemicals found Herbs are grown and collected from all over the world
in some plants (Cirino, 2019). and effective medicinal plants can be found
everywhere that plants grow (Baleta, et al, 2016).
Next in rank, the respondents use medicinal plants as
a remedy because they work better than other The respondents also use medicinal plants for medical
manufactured medicines (i.e. pills). People every year care and health care issues like headache,
turn to herbal medicine because they believe plant stomachache, and the like. Some of the ten (10) DOH
remedies are free from undesirable side effects approved medicinal plants are used to treat similar
(Karimi, et al, 2015). As technology advances, the diseases. The plants are namely mint, tsaang gubat,
pharmaceutical industry is increasingly focusing on guava, and garlic (Tolentino, et al, 2019). These are
the human genome as a source of the many some of the most common diseases as well as the
unanswered questions relating to how disease is most common medicinal plants used. The same mean
prevented, diagnosed and treated (Gwynn, et al, was computed for the respondents using medicinal
2000). plants when their families used them at home.
According to a study Attitude of Mothers Toward
Fourth in rank is the utilization of medicinal plants on Herbal Treatment of Their Children, it was reported
wounds or similarly affected body parts. Herbal that there is a high attitude of mothers towards herbal
medicines have been used to accelerate wound healing treatment in comparison with conventional drug
since ancient times. Recently, researches have been treatments for their children. In the study, there was a
carried out regarding wound healing through plant- clear desire for mothers regarding the use of herbal
derived medicinal products (Nagori, et al, 2011). therapy either as replacement or adjuncts for the
Plant-derived extracts and/or isolates induce healing treatment of mild illness (Abdulzahra, 2012).
and tissue regeneration through multiple connected
mechanisms, which often have a synergistic effect on Last in rank is the respondents’ use of medicinal
the overall healing efficiency (Maver, et al, 2015). plants for bathing. Herbal baths are an important
Preparations from traditional medicinal plants in traditional way to prevent and cure common diseases
wound management involve disinfection, debridement (Li, et al, 2006). They promote not only people’s
and the provision of a suitable environment for the physical health but also their psychological well-being
natural healing process (Maver, et al, 2018). (van’t Klooster, et al, 2018). Physical ailments such as
cough, colds, and headaches due to blocked sinuses
The respondents also use medicinal plants for treating are treated by taking a facial steam bath, prepared by
asthma, cough and colds, fever, dysentery, pain, skin boiling a mixture of herbs in water (van’t Klooster, et
diseases and wounds. These diseases are very al, 2018).
common, especially among the respondents. Lagundi
is mainly used to treat the mentioned diseases as most Table 4 shows the relationship exists between the
parts of the lagundi plants have medicinal value students' awareness and utilization of medicinal
(Tolentino, et al, 2017; DOH, 2005). plants. The Pearson product-moment correlation
coefficient – also called Pearson correlation
Next in rank is the respondents’ use of medicinal coefficient, was used to interpret the relationship
plants to obtain the benefits of using them. Medicinal between the two variables.
plants and their components possess a range of
Table 4. Correlation between students’ degree of The researchers suggest that the Students of
awareness and level of satisfaction towards online University of the Cordilleras must value the
learning importance of medicinal herbal plants for these plants
are a treasure for the humankind. Especially that the
Correlation Interpretation 10 approved DOH herbal plants can be found around
Coefficient their community. In this case the Senior High
Students may come up with more experiments or
Weak Correlation discoveries on medicinal herbal plants that may
0.26 contribute to the medicinal and pharmaceutical world.

The students must focus on studying the Utilization of

The table shows the computed result of the two medicinal herbal plants for it has garnered the lowest
variables, and finally answers what relationship exists mean of extent utilization among the students.
between the students' awareness and utilization of However, the researchers would like to extend a
medicinal plants. The correlation coefficient resulted message for the future researchers to explore and have
to 0.26, which is a weak correlation. Indicating that a larger sample size. Additionally, do not limit only
student with lower awareness tend to not know the survey questionnaires to one strand only, instead float
utilization of medicinal herbal plants. Thus, the result the survey questionnaires to other senior high strands
indicated that the awareness of the senior high school and other levels. This is to also know what is the
students among medicinal herbal plants and the awareness and extent of utilization of medicinal herbal
utilization of senior high school students on medicinal plants towards online medicinal herbal plants. The
herbal plants have a weak moderate relationship. researchers also suggest that future researchers should
tackle more other factors and variables to correlate
In a similar study a group of researchers from with satisfaction.
Batangas (2019) the awareness and utilization among
the people from their community had also established ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
a weak correlation, the only reason why they are
utilizing medicinal herbal plants because of its The researchers expressed utmost gratitude to the
availability in their community. Results garnered in people who had reached their time and effort in the
this study also show that most of the indication of process of conducting the study especially with their
awareness and the extent of utilization among guidance that helped the researchers to successfully
medicinal herbal plants Grade 12 STEM students were finish the study. Throughout every struggle and every
not met. battle encountered by the members of this study, the
researchers were able to do them because of their
CONCLUSIONS support and belief. The group would like to express
their gratitude and appreciation to the following
The study gave insight to the fact that STEM Senior people. To their research adviser, Ma’am Jenifer
High Students do not have enough awareness of Cadano, for patiently teaching us, guiding us and
herbal plants approved by DOH, especially the fact being with us during the war and for countlessly
that these approved plants are available and grown in fixing our problems. The panellists for the comments
Cordillera. Majority of the respondents only utilized and suggestions that helped the researchers establish
herbal plants available in their places due to the their minds to improve more and be better.
benefit of it and its availability and for personal Additionally, the researchers are at their utmost thanks
reasons. The effectiveness in treating different disease to the people who participated in answering our
conditions is the main reason why they use herbal survey, this study will not be complete without their
medicine. Utilization of the herbal plants was proven responses. Lastly, to Almighty God for the
by the respondents effective in treating most common motivation, protection and guidance the Lord gave to
ailments, aside from it, it is readily available in their the researchers to successfully finish the study.
community rather than some DOH-approved herbal
plant.

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 APPENDICES

Appendices A. Letter

University of the Cordilleras

Integrated School
Senior High School

January 27, 2020

Dear respondents,

Greetings!

We, the undersigned, are the students of the University of the Cordilleras Senior High School currently enrolled in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Strand this 2 nd trimester of academic year 2020 –
2021. As part of the requirements in the course Practical Research 2 (PR 2), we are tasked to conduct a survey on
our research study entitled “Awareness and Utilization of Senior High School Students on Herbal Medicinal
Plants”. The purpose of this quantitative - correlational study is to determine the awareness and utilization of
Senior High School STEM Students from University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City regarding herbal medicinal
plants.

In line with this, we would like to humbly request your assistance in the completion of this research by
accomplishing the attached questionnaire. Your response to this survey will be highly appreciated.

We look forward to your approval of our request. Thank you!

Respectfully yours,

Aquino, Jose Emanuel O. Depaynos, Joe Dinhel M. Lappao, Zyneth Earl G.

Capuyan, Siahky Sheen A. Molintas, Rain Dannah G. Noefe, Judah Zoe Athaliah G.
 Jasmin, Sopa E.

Approved by:

Cadano, Jenifer M.
Research Adviser

Appendix B. Survey

SURVEY ON STUDENTS’ AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION REGARDING HERBAL MEDICINAL

PLANTS

Instructions: Each of the statements on this questionnaire deals with students’ awareness and utilization
regarding herbal medicinal plants. Please put a check mark (/) on the column which corresponds to your response.

Gender: __Male __Female

Rating Qualitative Qualitative Equivalent Explanation

Description
SA Strongly Agree Very Aware You strongly agree to be very
aware of the statement regarding
herbal medicinal plants.
A Agree Moderately Aware You agree to be very aware of
the statement regarding herbal
medicinal plants.
D Disagree Slightly Aware You disagree to be very aware
of the statement regarding
herbal medicinal plants.
SD Strongly Disagree Not Aware You strongly disagree to be very
aware of the statement regarding
herbal medicinal plants.

AWARENESS INDICATION: MEDICINAL PLANTS SD D A SA

I am aware that….
1. Garlic, mint, guava, ampalaya, and lagundi are some of the medicinal
plants approved by the Department of Health (DOH).
2. The other medicinal plants approved by the Department of Health
(DOH) include sambong, akapulko, tsaang gubat, ulasimang
bato/pansit-pansitan, and niyog-niyogan.
3. Specific parts of a plant can be used in the preparation of herbal
medications such as its stem, leaves, bulbs, and seeds.
4. Certain preparation methods of medicinal plants include boiling,
infusing in alcohol solution, direct application, and bathing.
5. There are proper ways to use medicinal plants such as drinking,
bathing, and direct application.
6. Medicinal plants can be used as an alternative to help cure common
ailments such as cough, cold fever, and stomachache.
7. There are risks and side effects for improper usage, preparations, and
ingestion of medicinal plants.
 8. Medicinal plants cannot be used in certain circumstances such as
pregnancy, or in children aged 4 years old and below.
9. There are limitations in using medicinal plants and turning to
professionals for consultations and treatments.
10. There are medicinal plants that should not be taken with certain
manufactured drugs.
 Rating Qualitative Qualitative Equivalent Explanation
Description
SA Strongly Agree Often You strongly agree to practice
the statement often.
A Agree Sometimes You agree to practice the
statement often.
D Disagree Rarely You disagree to practice the
statement often.
SD Strongly Disagree Never You strongly disagree with
practicing the statement often.

EXTENT INDICATION: USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS SD D A SA

I use Medicinal Herbal Plants…
1. For medical care and health issues like headache, stomachache and the
like.
2. That are infused in alcohol for medical care.
3. For bathing.
4. On wounds or similarly affected body parts.
5. As a remedy because it is cheaper
6. To obtain the health benefits of using them.
7. As a remedy when it is available in our community..
8. When my family uses them at home.
9. For treating asthma, cough and colds, fever, dysentery, pain, skin
diseases and wounds.
10. As a remedy because plants work better than other manufactured
medicines (i.e., pills)

Appendices C. Mother Data

Male- 1 Female- 2

Strongly Agree- 4 Agree- 3 Disagree- 2 Strongly Disagree- 1

Appendix D. Mean and Pearson Product Correlation

Table 1. Mean of Questions for the Students Awareness

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Overall
Mean

Mean 3.33 2.77 3.38 3.04 3.53 3.42 3.23 3.00 3.43 3.30 3.28

Table 2. Mean of Questions for the Extent of Utilization

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Overall
Mean

Mean 2.38 2.95 2.09 2.06 2.67 2.47 2.45 2.38 2.52 2.58 2.59
Table 3. Mean of each Respondents for the Awareness

Respondents  Overall Mean

1 3.20
2 3.60
3 3.40
4 3.30
5 3.10
6 3.50
7 3.10
8 3.50
9 3.60
10 3.30
11 3.30
12 3.60
13 3.20
14 3.20
15 3.80
16 3.80
17 2.70
18 2.90
19 3.50
20 2.40
21 3.60
22 3.60
23 3.00
24 3.10
25 3.30
26 3.20
27 3.60
28 3.90
29 3.00
30 3.10
31 3.60
32 3.50
33 2.90
34 3.30
35 3.00
36 3.70
37 2.80
38 3.80
39 2.80
40 4.00
41 3.40
42 3.20
43 3.70
44 2.80
45 2.90
46 3.80
 47 3.40
48 2.90
49 3.50
50 3.70
51 3.70
52 2.90
53 3.10
54 3.50
55 2.80
56 2.70
57 3.20
58 3.00
59 2.80
60 3.00

Table 4. Mean of each Respondents for Extent Utilization

Respondents Overall Mean

1
2 3.46
3 3.24
4 3.43
5 3.21
6 3.85
7 3.51
8 3.85
9 4.36
10 4.03
11 4.13
12 4.46
13 4.12
14 4.52
15 4.88
16 5.08
17 4.27
18 4.39
19 4.95
20 4.14
21 5.36
22 5.46
23 5.1
24 5.31
25 5.43
26 5.52
27 5.96
28 6.39
29 5.6
30 5.81
31 6.36
32 6.25
33 5.99
34 6.53
35 6.2
 36 6.97
37 6.28
38 7.38
39 6.48
40 7.6
41 7.34
42 7.12
43 7.87
44 6.98
45 7.29
46 8.08
47 7.84
48 7.49
49 8.15
50 8.47
51 8.57
52 7.79
53 8.01
54 8.55
55 8.08
56 8.07
57 8.62
58 8.5
59 8.48
60 8.8

Table 5. Pearson Product Correlation

Correlation Interpretation
Coefficient

Weak Correlation
0.26