TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite- Some 25 senior citizens of Los Baños, Laguna and Maragondon, Cavite attended the two-day training on Rediscovering Health and Wellness: A Practical Application spearheaded by the Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A in partnership with Terra Verde Ecofarm and LGU of Los Baños, Laguna.

The participants learned the practical uses of culinary herbs for cooking and identification and preparation of medicinal herbs for medicinal plant concoctions.

The training also highlighted the RA No. 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997 and the use of the DOH-approved medicinal plants and culinary herbs as part of naturopathy and the promotion of the alternative healthcare and wellness for our farmers and their families in the countryside. Mr. Ericson Atanacio, President of Terra Verde Ecofarm, discussed the medicinal plants in the Philippines endorsed by DOH such as Akapulko, Ampalaya, Bawang, Bayabas, Lagundi, Niyog-Niyugan, Sambong, Tsaang-gubat, Ulasimangbato, and Yerba Buena.

Ms. Violeta U. Jimenez, member of OSCA, Los Baños, Laguna shares that the training was productive and learned a lot from the resource speakers. “Marami po silang naibigay sa amin na mga halimbawa [ng halamang gamot] at natutunan din namin at nakilala din namin ang mga iba't-ibang uri ng mga halamang medisinal.” Jimenez says.

The training was held last April 16-17, 2018 at Terra Verde Ecofarm, Maragondon, Cavite.