Albularyo

 ( Philippine Mythology ) 

Albularyo or albulario is a Filipino term for a witch doctor, folk healer or medicine man, derived from Spanish language herbolario (herbalist). They practice folk medicine and use medicinal plants in their trade.

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Overview

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the Role and functions An albularyo is a "folk doctor"

(2017). 9789712729379, Anvil Publishing, Inc.. . ISBN 9789712729379

commonly found in the more rural areas of the Philippines who heals people using herbs and traditional practices such as hilot or massage. Their services are considered either as a first or as a last resort for addressing illnesses. The albularyo's patient claims that the practitioner have supernatural powers that modern medicine does not provide. This belief makes them more trustworthy than modern medicine practitioners.

(1977). 9789711060053, Divine Word University Publications. . ISBN 9789711060053

Aside from practicing folk medicine, the albularyo is also alleged to practice black magic and curse people.

(1997). 9781885504432, Church Growth International. . ISBN 9781885504432

The albularyos practice their trade using prayers called orasyon (from Spanish oracion),

(2017). 9781725286177, Wipf and Stock Publishers. . ISBN 9781725286177

and rituals. They also use concoctions made from plant parts such as leaves, bark, roots and oils such as coconut oils. Pangalap is the process of searching for these medicinal plants and pabukal is the preparation of decoctions from said plants.

(2021). 9781838809621, BoD – Books on Demand. . ISBN 9781838809621

Albularyos also use their own saliva and pieces of papers with writings. The albularyo use tawas (alum) crystals to find out who is causing the ailments in their patients." The may also use carromancy, oomancy, or spirits to divine the cause of the ailments. Some ailments are claimed to be the work of lamang lupa who were unknowingly or knowingly harmed by the patient. The albularyo may then use rituals and prayers to drive away the spirit and therefore remove the sickness from the patient.

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See also

• Hilot, traditional Filipino medicine that uses massage
• Kulam, or Filipino witchcraft
• Pagtatawas, or Filipino ritual for the diagnosis of illnesses
• Folk medicine

Categories: Philippine Mythology, Superstitions Of The Philippines, Asian Shamanism, Southeast Asian Traditional Medicine, Traditional Health Care Occupations, Filipino Religious Leaders, Herbalism, Tagalog Words And Phrases, Austronesian Spirituality

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