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

Overview

the Role and functions

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

The albularyos practice their trade using prayers called orasyon (from Spanish oracion), 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. 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 candle wax poured in water, eggs, 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.

See also

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

References

1. Fabe, Pamela Amparo H. (2001). Migration and Children: The Case of Barangay Suba, Cebu City. Save the Children (UK) Philippines. p. 53. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
2. Duyan Ng Magiting: The Folk Culture of the Southern Tagalog Region. IMC. 1989. p. 146. ISBN 978-971-10-1241-0. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
3. ^ Mata, Elvira (2017-10-02). Positively Mental. Anvil Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-971-27-2937-9. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
4. Dizon, Jesus A. N.; Miralao, Virginia A.; Culture, Ateneo de Manila University Institute of Philippine (1973). The Hilot in Oriental Mindoro: Final Report Submitted to the Institute of Maternal and Child Health by the Institute of Philippine Culture, 2 April 1973. Ateneo de Manila, Institute of Philippine Culture. p. 69. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
5. Mercado, Leonardo N. (1977). Filipino Religious Psychology. Divine Word University Publications. p. 38. ISBN 978-971-10-6005-3. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
6. Brock, Charles (June 1997). Questions People and Churches Ask. Church Growth International. p. 68. ISBN 978-1-885504-43-2. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
7. ^ Johnson, Dave (2017-08-23). Theology in Context: A Case Study in the Philippines. Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 978-1-7252-8617-7. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
8. Sánchez-García, Jose C.; Hernandez-Sanchez, Brizeida (2021-02-03). Sustainable Organizations: Models, Applications, and New Perspectives. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-83880-962-1. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
9. Papers in Mindanao Ethnography: no. 1] Concept of illness among major Philippine tribes. University Research Center, Mindanao State University. 1979. p. 11. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
10. Enriquez, Virgilio G. (1989). Ang kababalaghan at ang parasikolohiya (in Tagalog). Akademya ng Sikolohiyang Pilipino. p. 47. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
11. Mendez, Paz Policarpio (1991). Culture and Nationhood: A Philosophy of Education for Filipinos. Centro Escolar University, Research and Development Center. Retrieved 10 June 2021.

v t e  Indigenous Philippine folk religions (including their mythologies and folklore)
General	Religions Creation stories Soul concepts
Supreme deities	Bathala Kan-Laon Mangindusa Kabunian
Lesser deities	Amihan Bakunawa Mayari Tala Cacao Makiling Sinukuan
Epic and folklore heroes	Ama-ron Aliguyon Bernardo Carpio Daragang Magayon Datu Daya Irong-Irong Juan Tamad Kalantiaw Lam-ang Malakas and Maganda Sarimanok Princess Urduja
Historical people	Dios Buhawi Francisco Dagohoy Papa Isio Pulajans Nardong Putik
Historical events	Dagohoy Rebellion Battle of Dolores River Negros Revolution
Belief systems	Anito Gabâ Pulajan religion Hilot Witchcraft in the Philippines
Spiritual persons	Filipino shamans Datu
Sacred places	Mount Apo Mount Arayat Mount Banahaw Mount Kanlaon Mount Lantoy Mount Makiling Mount Mayon Mount Pinatubo Mount Pulag
Legendary objects	Agimat Anito Code of Kalantiaw Gintong Salakot
Mythical creatures	Agta Alan Amalanhig Amomongo Anggitay Aswang Bal-Bal Batibat Berbalang Berberoka Biringan Bungisngis Busaw Dalaketnon Diwata Duwende Ekek Engkanto Hantu Demon Higante Kapre Kataw Kumakatok Manananggal Manaul Minokawa Nuno sa punso Pugot Santelmo Sarangay Sarimanok Sigbin Sirena Siyokoy Tigmamanukan Tikbalang Tiyanak Wak Wak
Literary works	Biag ni Lam-ang Code of Kalantiaw Hinilawod Hudhud hi Aliguyon Juan Tamad Maragtas
Popular culture	Alamat Amaya Ang Mahiwagang Baul Aso ni San Roque Bagani Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko Dyesebel Dyosa Encantadia Saga Indio Juan dela Cruz Luna Blanca Luna Mystika Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang The Mythology Class Trese
Literary sources	Philippine literature Philippine folk literature Philippine epic poetry Cebuano literature Kapampangan literature Hiligaynon literature Ibanag literature Ifugao literature Ilokano literature Mindanao literature Pangasinan literature Tagalog literature Tagbanwa mythology Waray literature

• Philippine mythology
• Superstitions of the Philippines
• Asian shamanism
• Southeast Asian traditional medicine
• Traditional healthcare occupations
• Filipino religious leaders
• Herbalism
• Tagalog words and phrases
• Austronesian spirituality