Unlocking the Potential of Native Plants of the Cordillera

In the midst of the Ibagiw 2020 Creative City Festival, a scientific research project led by the UP Baguio Native Plants Committee finds itself in this unconventional and interesting mix of art and science. Botanists participating in the project shared their photos of native plants of the Cordillera through a photo exhibit from Nov. 2o -30. They also initiated a traditional plant exchange on Nov. 29. All of these activities are part of Mula Shi Ili (Plants of the Homeland), at the Art in Sunshine Park.

The photos taken by the botanists themselves offered a closer look at the plants that have been around for a long time. Some of the photos left some people wondering if they may have seen them during their lifetime. While other photos brought a whimsical smile to those who remember playing with these plants in their childhood or youth.

Native Plants and Their Unrecognized Value

Native plants, as defined by the National Wildlife Federation, are those that have “occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction.” These plants have “formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife over thousands of years, and therefore offer the most sustainable habitat.”

In the Cordilleras, these native plants have been part of indigenous knowledge, passed on from one generation to the next. All of this knowledge is based on how these plants were used and valued. And this knowledge remains untapped.

The University of the Philippines Baguio, led by Dr. Dora Balancod and through funding support from the Commission on Higher Education’s DARE TO grant, is tapping on this knowledge. Science faculty members of Benguet State University also participated in the study. The study: “Harnessing the potential of plant resources of the Cordillera for drug discovery and promoting the use of indigenous wild plants and underutilized and neglected food crops as alternative food source and livelihood of local communities,” presented some of its research outputs as part of Mula Shi Ili.

Native Plants as Sources of Medicine

One project component aims to discover which of the underutilized ethnomedicinal plants have anti-diabetic and anti-bacterial properties, which in turn can be used to develop drug products. Native plants that have anti-bacterial properties were processed and extracted and were tested for antibacterial activity. These can be potentially used in soaps and ointments.

Those with anti-diabetic properties, on the other hand, are being studied and processed to produce a tea infusion that can be a supplementary treatment for diabetic patients.

Native Plants as Alternative Food Sources

The project component that studied the potential of underutilized food crops had community food security and sustainable livelihood top of mind. At Mula Shi Ili, food products under the brand “Bugan’s Bounty” were revealed.

There were flour products from cassava, camote, gabi, potato, galyang (a large type of gabi) and canistel (also called tiesa), and pasta noodles from the flour products. Candies and jellies can also be made with native guava and guavamansi. When these are processed into powder form, they can be made into other products like polvoron or ice cream.

This component is currently testing the products they have developed to determine which ones will be considered for further product development. Ultimately, the community will be taught how to process and produce these products as a potential source of livelihood.