HOME      •      SEARCH      •      EMAIL    •     ABOUT


In the rural areas, a popular alternative treatment for 'beke' (mumps) consists of a combination of sundry ingredients: earthen material from an insect's nest, powdered blue dye (tinang asul) and vinegar.

The main ingredient is derived from an earthen nest which is made up of soil carried and accumulated piece-by-piece by a 'mason' bee (hakot-hakot).

The concoction is made by mixing the soil obtained from the nest with 'tinang asul' (a powdered blue dye). Vinegar is added in an amount sufficient to achieve a pasty consistency. An optional additional ingredient to this mixture is a teaspoon of juice from the pounded leaves of the plant "dilaw." Applied daily to the 'beke' (glandular parotid swelling, mumps), it is believed to hasten the subsidence of the swelling and pain and prevent the occurrence of fever.

 

Other Folkloric Herbal Therapies 
Makahiya leaves
Crush leaves and make into a paste. Apply directly on the swollen gland after a cold compress. Apply for 30 minutes, 3 times daily. 
Kantutay leaves
Pound or chop the leaves. Apply directed as a poultice to the parotid gland swelling for 30 minutes, 3 times daily. 
Kamias fruits
Chop and mash the fruits. Apply as a poultice on the swollen gland for 30 minutes, 3 times daily. 
Gisol rhizomes
Chop the rhizomes and apply as a poultice on the swollen glands for 30 minutes, 3 times daily. 
Lagundi leaves
For fever, as a decoction. Boil 4 tablespoons of chopped dried leaves or 6 tablespoons of fresh chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Adults, 1 cup every 4 hours; children up to 6 years, 1 tbsp every 4 hours; 7 to 12 years, a half cup every 4 hours. 
Palaspas
The blessed dried coconut leaves are burned and the ashes mixed with coconut oil or hot water and applied to the swelling. For increased potency, it is mixed with incense, charcoal, and a piece of blessed candle. 

Last Updated August 2014


Bales Pasma
Bangungot Rabies
Beke (Mumps) (Suob) Post-Natal Care
Hika (Asthma) Tabang
Nabarang  Usog
Photos and Drawing © Godofredo Stuart / StuartXchange
HOME      •      SEARCH      •      EMAIL