Hilot Binabaylan is a sacred healing tradition rooted in the Indigenous Spiritual Practices of the Philippines. It integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual care through rituals, herbal medicine, massage, and ancestral wisdom. As Filipino communities grow across North America, many Hilot Binabaylan practitioners are seeking ways to share their healing arts while navigating legal and healthcare systems that may not yet recognize their practice.
Legal Status in the United States
Currently, there is no federal law in the United States that directly regulates or standardizes Hilot Binabaylan. However, there are promising developments in the broader field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Indigenous healing:
– State-Level Safe Harbor Laws: Some states allow traditional healers to practice without formal biomedical licenses, provided they do not claim to treat specific diseases or perform invasive procedures.
– Medicaid Reimbursement for Indigenous Healing: States like California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Oregon have approved Medicaid coverage for Native American traditional healing practices through Section 1115 waivers.
– FDA Oversight of CAM Products: Herbal oils, balms, and other Hilot products may be subject to FDA regulation if marketed for disease treatment.
Legal Status in Canada
In Canada, the practice of Hilot Binabaylan is not prohibited, but it exists in a complex and evolving legal and regulatory landscape. There are no laws that outright prohibit Filipino Indigenous healing practices, but they are not yet formally recognized or regulated under Canadian health professional frameworks.
– Ontario’s Regulated Health Professions Act provides exemptions for Aboriginal healers providing traditional healing services to Aboriginal persons or communities.
– Health Canada’s Self-Care Framework and Cost Recovery Program impose high fees and strict compliance rules on natural health products, which may affect Hilot products.
– Historical suppression of Indigenous healing practices under the Indian Act has left a legacy of cultural bias, although Canada has adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
– The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #22 urges recognition of Aboriginal healing practices in the healthcare system.
Suggested Call to Actions for Hilot Binabaylan Practitioners
In the United States
- Form a U.S.-Based Hilot Binabaylan Association to advocate for recognition and organize cultural education.
- – Engage with multicultural and Indigenous health organizations to build collaborative healing programs.
- – Document and publish case studies to establish credibility and support inclusion in healthcare systems.
- – Seek inclusion in state CAM registries and petition for safe harbor protections.
- – Educate the public and medical community through workshops and healing clinics.
In Canada
- – Form a Canadian Hilot Binabaylan Network to unite Filipino healers and advocate for cultural recognition.
- – Collaborate with Indigenous health centers to offer joint healing sessions and build solidarity.
- – Educate and advocate through cultural events and public engagement.
- – Document healing outcomes to support inclusion in complementary medicine registries.
- – Engage with policy makers to submit proposals to provincial health ministries and multicultural advisory boards.
Conclusion
Hilot Binabaylan is more than a healing practice—it is a living expression of Filipino Indigenous spirituality. While the legal systems in the United States and Canada do not yet fully recognize it, there are clear pathways for advocacy, education, and integration. Through unity, documentation, and cultural diplomacy, Hilot Binabaylan practitioners can help bring this sacred tradition into the light of global healing.
Hilot Academy of Binabaylan 