Mindful Eating Habbit

I don’t exactly remember the phrase my teacher told me about having good health. As i remember it, the late Dr. Rueben M. Galang Jr. have told me that “good health starts in the pan”. Well what he mean is that the food that we eat affects our health and it is as we get our daily nutritional needs from the food that we eat.

Many of us loves to eat. And eating was the very first lessons that we have learn as a human. Though to be true to our self it was sucking milk from our mother’s breast was the earliest form of feeding that we have learn. As it is said that breast milk contains all of the essential nutrients, antibodies, and other factors that a new born babies need for growth and development.

As grown up we are not limited anymore in eating the food we want. Aside from the nutritional supply we receive from eating, it also becomes a reward system for us or even a stress reliever. We include food in all occasion and activities of our life. But now-a-days, food has been also become a tool of protest that people promote such as being Vegetarian or Vegan. Though i am not a vegan but i respect them when they are with me by preparing food that they will eat in a vegan style. But whether you eat pure vegetable or meat or combination of both, it is our digestive system that work out to convert the food to be a source of nutrition and energy to our body. As each of us enjoy our individual differences, we should also be mindful of our digestive health.

Yakult Everyday makes our Tummy Okay!

Yakult was the earliest food supplement that i take everyday when i was a child. I believe everyone who was born on the ’70s know yakult. And now-a-days when you go to 7-eleven you will find a contemporary of Yakult which is the Delight and Go Long Cultured Milk. All of these are Probiotic Beverages.

But what is probiotic?

Probiotics are (good bacteria) live micro organism that can provide numerous health benefits such as improved digestion, enhanced immune function, healthier skin and weight loss. All of these are due to the work of probiotics in balancing the activities of the Bad Bacteria which is inside our body that can be found in our gut or tummy. As Human Being aside from the organs, tissues and cells that can be found inside our body there are also numerous bacteria that dwells within us. And the Probiotic are the one who balances it.

According to Healthline, Probiotics provide us health benefits such as:

Reduce systemic inflammation
reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
lower total bad cholesterol level
Improve blood pressure
enhance immune function
useful for skin health

Being mindful to what we eat will help us to obtain optimum health and wellness. As we strive to live our life in a healthy manner, it should not be too expensive. You can see Probiotic products that you can buy in the market, but these micro organism can be found in nature which you can get for free. There are probiotic formulas available which you can make at home without buying expensive ingredients. The art of fermentation is also one way of culturing live microorganism or good bacteria that is probiotic in nature.

If you want to learn on how to make a Probiotic Beverages and food let us know by filling up the form below.

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Healing with Plant Medicine: Makabuhay (Tinospora Crispa)

I start to cultivate Makabuhay Vine way back 2013 as i need it to make a charm to improve health and long life. Though this herb was commonly known to have an abortive properties, I still hold on to the meaning of it’s name which is makabuhay or the one that promotes life. As Manghihilot or Traditional Healer, we do not just work on manipulating the Physical Body of the person to treat them but we also make medicine that could restore and maintain good health. A person Health for us as we see it does not limit to the Physical Movement of the person but we see also his/her emotional, mental, social and spiritual health as a basis for Holistic Wellness. And the medicine we provide is not also limited on Physical Manipulation of the Body but also we do preparation of Medicine for internal consumption, topical application or to carry it in their person such as in the use of Amulets, Talismans or Charms.

On my personal practice and use of Makabuhay, i mix the dried herbs and vines to alcoholic drink such as rum in a tincture and add few drops to a glass of water before i sleep. The vines can also be added to make a docoction of coconut oil to be applied on the part of the body that is affected by rheumatism and arthritis.

Studies suggest that Makabuhay has cardiotonic, antioxidant, antidiarheal, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, hypolipidemic, antimalarial, and antinociceptive properties. According to Medical Health Guide, the list are the Traditional Medicinal Uses of Makabuhay vine:

Makabuhay roots, stems and leaves are used as herbal treatment for fevers, malaria. Makabuhay leaves and roots are pounded then dissolved in cold water. Applied with a soft cloth over the nape, forehead, underarms and other body parts to bring down the body temperature.
Makabuhay poultice is used to treat gout, arthritis, and rheumatism by reducing pain and edema.
Makabuhay is used to treat skin diseases (athlete’s foot, scabies, etc.), promotes wound healing and alleviate skin itching. Makabuhay tonic is believed to promote overall good health and longevity, improves memory, improves skin tone and texture, and provides energy.
Makabuhay tonic is also used to treat fever and malaria. Makabuhay tonic is used to treat gastrointestinal and digestive problems, which includes diarrhea, hyperacidity, abdominal pains, gas pains (kabag), vomiting, dyspepsia, dysentery, colitis, constipation, loss of appetite and even worm infestation.
Makabuhay is also used in the treatment of diabetes, heart problems, hepatitis, anemia, impotence, tuberculosis, jaundice,

Keeping our Immunity Strong

It was September of 2019 when Jeremy Pascal and his wife Gerone of Grenoble, France became our Student here in the Academy. As they spent days of training with us, it is through Jeremy that we have received and important gift that we still enjoy today or even on the days to come and it is the water Kefir Grains.

What is water kefir grains?

Water kefir grains are clusters of good bacteria and yeasts living in a symbiotic relationship. They are held together by a polysaccharide (dextran) that produce Lactobacillus Hilgardii. These clusters of bacteria, yeast and polysaccharide look like crystals or grains of jelly that makes the kefir water work as probiotic drink. Water Kefir Grains is also known as Tibicos, Japanese Water Crystals, and California Bees. There is a speculation that Water Kefir Grains originated in Mexico, however, there are stories that it originates in Tibet, the Caucasus Mountians, and the southern peninsula of Ukraine.

What are the Health benefits of drinking Water Kefir?

Water Kefir is a probiotic beverage linked to various health benefit including improved immunity and even protection against cancer.

Probiotic are a type of beneficial bacteria found in your gut or microorganism that lives in our intestine. It plays an integral role in almost every aspect of health, from cancer prevention to immune function and beyond.

In this time of Pandemic of the Coronavirus Disease, everyone of us must have a strong immune system because it is our body’s natural defense system. It’s an intricate network of cells, tissues, and organs that bands together to defend our body against invaders. Those invaders can include bacteria, viruses, parasites, even a fungus, all with the potentials that can make us sick.

Aside from drinking Probiotic Drinks as Immune Booster food supplement, there are other natural ways we could strengthen our Immunity and they are the following:

Get enough sleep.
Eating Green Leafy Vegetables
Eating more healthy fats
Eat more fermented foods or take a probiotic supplements.
Limit added sugars
Engage in moderate exercise
Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water
Manage our stress level
Take food supplement wisely

By taking this steps in maintaining your immune system strong may prevent you from having illness.

Healing with Plant Medicine: Lagundi aka Vitex Negudo

I remember as a kid when we have cough and fever, my mother will pick up some lagundi leaves, oregano and ginger. She will pound it together and extract the juice of the combined herbs and make us drink the juice. She will add little amount of sugar so that it may taste good.

Lagundi or Vitex Negudo was known in English as the 5 leaves chaste tree. It is one of the 10 Herbs that the Philippine Department of Health approved to be known as Herbal Medicine. Though there are lot herbs can be found in the Philippines that shows potency as medicine but only 10 were approved to be classified as medicine and one of it is Lagundi.

Lagundi has been tested clinically to be effective in treatments of cold, flu, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis. With the rise of Coronavirus Disease we have seen Caloocan City is distributing Paracetamol and Lagundi as part of their help to the citizen in battling Covid 19. Though there is no record that it has been used to treat the disease but it plays role in the prevention of the spread of the virus. As a herbal medicine that been recognized to treat respiratory problem, this might be a promising herb that also has a potential relief or even cure to the Coronavirus Disease.

Though at this moment, the role of Hilot in the Philippines works on preventive and promotive health care, taking lagundi as tea will protect an individual from having the symptoms of the disease as long as the guidelines on social distancing, hand washing and physical fitness is observed. Healthcare professionals can also consider administering this herbs to treat the symptoms as it is used to treat colds, fever, flu, chronic bronchitis, pharyngitis, rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea and certain skin and digestive complaints.

Below are the list of traditional use of Lagundi:

Expectorant/Cough Remedy
Sore throat relief
Anti-asthma/Bronchodilator
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Diuretic
Antinociceptive/Analgesic
Anti-allergy
Antihyperglycemic
Antimicrobial
Anthelmintic /Antiparasitic
Promotes wound healing
Hepatoprotective
Improves digestion
Carminative
Relieves anxiety
Promotes relaxation
Insecticidal
Reduces risk of cancer

As Traditional Medicine Practitioner, we recommend you to see your healthcare professional or Certified Manghihilot before taking any herbal remedy. It is good to identify the symptoms first in order to have a proper treatment that will result to a successful cure of any ailments. Self Medication is discouraged and right procedure of herbal administration is required.

For more information on Philippine Traditional Hilot and Healthcare, you may contact me at +639952467040 or connect with me at Facebook at Rolando Gomez Comon.

Healing with Plant Medicine: Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera or Sabila is my very first herb that i like most. It actually is my favorite and for me i called this as my personal sacred Plant. I grew it as a child and even filled the wall of our fence with it. I thought it was just an ornamental plant but when i grow up I learn it has a powerful medicine within it. I also have seen its flower. Yes! Through time it gives flower and it smells sweet. Though i rarely see it blooming in pots and i don’t know when it will give flower once again. I’m so sad that i was not able to capture it flowers through film because that time i don’t have camera nor mobile phone that has camera. Yeah! I’m very old school that only knows soil and its healing herbs.

Aloe Vera or Aloe Barbadensis Miller has been known for its medicinal and cosmetic purposes. I have read that this plant was used to embalm ancient Pharaohs of Egypt as well as Jesus Christ. The word Aloe has an arabic origin which means Shinning Bitter substance while Vera is a Latin word meaning True. In my old notes on healing herbs, i found that this herb can endure extreme stress such as i test it hanging on the air without soil and water for about a year but still it is alive and didn’t dried up. It taught me spiritually to become patient, tolerant and humble. As i work on it, i found its power to be amazing. I apply it to open wounds, burns and even on skin infection. Our Elders have taught that this plant is a good hair grower and can heal all kinds of skin disease. And later on i found out that we can scrape of the white gel on it and eat it directly.

In making Herbal Healing Oil i add 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel in distilling coconut oil with mix herbs and when i put my finger in it while boiling i didn’t get burn.

It is found out that Aloe Vera has many active potential constituents such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugar, lignin, saponins, salicylic acid and amino acids.

Vitamins: It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are antioxidants. It also contains vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline. Antioxidant neutralizes free radicals.
Enzymes: It contains 8 enzymes: aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulase, lipase, and peroxidase. Bradykinase helps to reduce excessive inflammation when applied to the skin topically, while others help in the breakdown of sugars and fats.
Minerals: It provides calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc. They are essential for the proper functioning of various enzyme systems in different metabolic pathways and few are antioxidants.
Sugars: It provides monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides: (glucomannans/polymannose). These are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant and are known as mucopolysaccharides. The most prominent monosaccharide is mannose-6-phosphate, and the most common polysaccharides are called glucomannans [beta-(1,4)-acetylated mannan]. Acemannan, a prominent glucomannan has also been found. Recently, a glycoprotein with antiallergic properties, called alprogen and novel anti-inflammatory compound, C-glucosyl chromone, has been isolated from Aloe vera gel.
Anthraquinones: It provides 12 anthraquinones, which are phenolic compounds traditionally known as laxatives. Aloin and emodin act as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
Fatty acids: It provides 4 plant steroids; cholesterol, campesterol, β-sisosterol and lupeol. All these have anti-inflammatory action and lupeol also possesses antiseptic and analgesic properties.
Hormones: Auxins and gibberellins that help in wound healing and have anti-inflammatory action.
Others: It provides 20 of the 22 human required amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids. It also contains salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Lignin, an inert substance, when included in topical preparations, enhances penetrative effect of the other ingredients into the skin. Saponins that are the soapy substances form about 3% of the gel and have cleansing and antiseptic properties.
National Center for Biotechnology Information

On basic uses of Aloe Vera, it is effective on wound or burn healing. I remember my nephew when he was 3 years old playing around my kitchen on our Canteen and he accidentally placed his whole hands on a boiling pot of soup. It was too hot because we boil it continually in low fire using fire wood for our Mami Soup and thankfully i have my aloe vera around and apply it directly, and amazingly no trace of burn can be found on my nephew.

Another testimony on the effectiveness of Aloe Vera is when my younger sister accidentally hammered her little finger. We brought her to the hospital and the doctor said she need to undergo surgery removal of her finger or stem cell treatment. We do not have enough money for the surgery so we just went back home and apply aloe vera on her finger. With patience and faith in God her finger was cured and no trace of being hammered can be seen.

Aloe Vera Gel can also be taken internally to treat stomach ulcer. It is also used to clean up our intestine and give us good bowel movement. It is said that Aloe Vera can also use to lower blood sugar and it has antioxidant to boost our immunity.

Plant aloe vera in your home it may be handy and helpful for you someday as it will heal you from your illness or it may be your living companion in your house that will listen to your prayers.

Healing with Plant Medicine: Mulberry Leaf

My Tita call this as Tahebo but when i conduct close study to this tree i learn that it is a Mulberry. I get this when it was still young at Cupang, Muntinlupa to the old place where Tita Edith lives. And now i see it bearing many berries.

I have utilized the leaves to make tea and have administered it to nanay to lower down her blood pressure as well as to relieve her constipation. Tatay made a joke that when nanay poop it will be like silk because Mulberry Leaf are used to feed the silk worm.

I use also the dried powdered leave of mulberry in making herbal tablet which i call as Amulaser.

Mulberry leaves are highly nutritious as it contains polyphenol anti oxidants, vitamins c, zinc, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

There are study that says that Mulberry leaves can help lower blood sugar, cholesterol and inflammation. These attributes are useful in fighting heart disease and diabetes.

I believe that this leaf can do more when it comes to our health. As member of Luntiang Aghama that advocates Philippine Traditional Medicine through Hilot Academy, Mulberry Leaf can help improve our healthcare delivery by making it affordable and within easy reach.

Angelikai Journey to the Path of Babaylan

Angelica Kai journey to Hilot Binabaylan started February 25- March 3, 2020. She was the last student that becomes Hilot Binabaylan before the Quarantine. And here is her story:

Since I was young, I have always been drawn to the spirit world, strange phenomenon, the supernatural, gods and goddesses, numerology, ESP, astrology, runes, you name it. In elementary school my favorite books were The Guinness Book of World Records, The Encyclopedia (for the pictures and bird drawings, etc. 😋), A book of the Planets, and book on ESP.
Over the years since then, I have studied and learned from teachers from many different lineages. I have read and researched tons of books, but there was always something missing for me. I kinda just did my own thing and followed my own book while incorporating things that worked for me. Long story longer, I decided to embark on another spirit journey, after traveling many countries and meeting shamans, curanderas, yogis, medicine people, channelers, etc. etc.I decided to go back to my roots here in the Philippines to learn about who we were before we were colonized, mostly by the Spanish, Japanese and Americans. Each invasion causing slaughter, rape, destruction and erasure of language, spiritual beliefs, culture, indigenous alphabets, history, and knowledge of self. I came back to learn back the pieces that went missing. Let me tell you, there is a lot, so now it’s up to myself and others to use our own intuition and knowledge to carry on the traditions. So I am here, tapping into the land, myself, lineage and learning from traditional healers who are dedicated to the preservation of our culture pre-colonization. At Hilot Academy if Binibaylan (Those who walk the path of the Babaylan) (Babaylan is a shaman/healer…there’s much more, but look it up), I learned about herbs native to the Philippines, how to read them and create medicine. We learned to create herbal baths for pregnant women, ailing people, etc. Hilot, which is a form of healing body work using the four elements to balance the body. Hilot can also be used for bone setting and fertility. I learned how to read situations and divination from the spirit using traditional ways and also using Baybayin, the ancient script to read, literally, and to read your future I learned bentusa (cupping) to get dead circulation moving again using the element of fire 🔥. I learned about our ancestors, nature spirits, and goddesses/gods. Anitos, encantos, diwatas. So much. Too much. I have a long road ahead, but so far this has been part of my journey and I am honored to have been part of this. So now, it’s official, I didn’t need a diploma for it, but it’s official, I’m a certified Filipina witch 😋. Thank you to
Angelikai11 Instagram Post

The Power of Prayer to Heal

Even before the Christian Era, our ancestors already know how to pray. It is documented that since the late Neolithic or before 2000 BC. the Ancient Filipino already know how to pray. This is evidenced through the cave wall writing in Angono, Province of Rizal through the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyph.

The engravings are mostly symbolic representations and are associated with healing and sympathetic magic.

This natural monument in the Province of Rizal shows that we as Filipino believe that there is a Higher Power than us that could provide us healing when we are sick. And in search for that Higher power we have learned how to pray. And for us we believe that Prayer has an amazing power to heal us in time of illness.

But how can Prayer Heal?

People recognize that they are sick when they feel it as secondary reaction to the main disorder of their internal system. It is through our feelings that we describe our illness. When we assess people when they are sick, we ask them how they feel. We usually measure their pain as well as the limitations it gives when we are sick.

Prayer can help people get well and have healing since it works towards the mind and emotion. Prayer is a form of Divine Communication that we express our thoughts, and our thoughts describe through prayer what we feel; and our feelings/ emotions as a reaction to the stimulus that been made. Prayer is a form of voicing out what is within us such as in a distressful situation we call out for Help.

In praying for Healing, we recognize that we are in need; that something is not going right within us that make us ill. By recognizing that something that is not right, we are given counsel by our higher selves the thing we need to do so that we may feel better and restore wellness back into our life.

Lana at Liwanag, our Tools in moving prayer

Hilot is a form of Prayer in Action. Action is needed when we pray as we have taught it in the Shrine.

Prayer in Action

Every action that we do in Hilot, whether in Pulse Reading Analysis, Tawas Spiritual Diagnosis, Suob/ Palina Ritual, Kilubansa, Dagdagay, Bentusa and Masahe are all form of Prayer and communication of the manghihilot to the Divine Self of the Patient we are healing. Thus as Manghihilot, our Orasyon or Prayer is not useless but it has direct effect of healing to relieve the person from illness and dis Ease.

Looking for a cure

Through out our writings and teachings here at Hilot Academy, we have taught that the medicine for our illness can be found within our yard. The herbs that grows within our community is our best medicine for our illness. But the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease that originates in China and now have spread world wide that it is declared as Pandemic, where can we find its cure?

We might not be able to help out our brothers and sisters in the Medical and Scientific Field, but the Wisdom of our Ancestors can be handy in preventing the spread of this disease.

As Manghihilot according to the principles of herbalism that we practice, we do not deal with the disease but rather we deal with the strengthening the body of man in order to heal our selves. The First Principle of Traditional and Alternative Healthcare is that we believe that man has own ability to heal our selves. That is why when we are sick complete bed rest and taking a lot of fluids are advised until the symptoms are gone.

The next thing we ensure is that the place where we live is thoroughly clean and sanitize so that re infection will not happen. Cleanliness and personal hygiene is necessary. We also have taught that in order to benefit from Healing, it is not only the body of the person we need to treat but also the environment. Remember our Gold Fish analogy?

When one of the Gold Fish is sick, we remove them from their aquarium and clean the aquarium, and the sick gold fish is separated to the healthy one so that it will not contaminate and infect the healthy one.

Sponge bathing is one treatment we do to maintain body temperature when the person is having a high fever. We place cold wet towel on the forehead to cool down and protect the brain from being cooked due to the rise of temperature.

Hypocrates also have mentioned that creating artificial fever would help in healing any kinds of illness. Thus the practice of Suob/Luop/Palina aka Steam Bath are advised to artificially raise up the temperature within the body to fight pathogens and free radicals that comes in to our system that cause illness.

Keeping our body warm and hydration is the best practice we provide in treating illnesses. In the practice of suob, we also prepare glass of drinking water so that from time to time we let the patient drink water as s/he will perspire a lot during the treatment. Giving a drink will hydrate the patient and replenish the loss of water in his system.

In keeping our body warm when we are sick, our parents cover us with blanket at wear us socks in our feet. There is a traditional practice also in making out feet warm is by clipping a clove of garlic or slice of ginger to the in between of our toes. And to some they also place a round slice of onion to the soles of their feet while wearing socks at bed time.

Hilot Masahe is also provided in giving warmth to the body as well as in aligning nerves or bone structure into position. Sometimes disalignment is also cause of pain and imflamation.

What is in the Glass?

It’s an broken egg with its yolk on the base of the glass while the albumen floats and create images.

This is an Egg Tawas. Our Mexican #Kapwa Curanderos does this too in their Limpia Ritual. So as in Italy they do this once a Year at the Eve of the Feast of Saint Peter.

Aside from Tawas, Hilot Academy also teach how to remove sick energies using the Egg. So we invite you to learn this technique by enrolling to our Hilot ng Aghamang Binabaylan Training which is an 8 day stay in training at Hilot Academy.

#HilotTotheWorld #EggTawas #SpiritualDiagnosis #HilotMethodOfScanning #PhilippineTraditionalMedicine #HilotBinabaylan #PhilippineAncestralHealingArtsAndScience #Manghihilot