Ethnobotanical plants used as traditional medicine in Pantar Lanao del Norte, Philippines

This ethnomedicinal survey documented the traditional plant knowledge of the Maranaos in Pantar, Lanao del Norte. Findings indicate that older women, particularly those aged 61 and above, are the primary custodians of medicinal knowledge, acquired mainly from elders and parents, while men rely more on the broader community. A total of 75 medicinal plant species from 38 families were recorded, with leaves being the most frequently used part (56%), followed by bulbs, fruits, roots, stems, and bark, reflecting both therapeutic efficacy and sustainability considerations. Six main preparation methods were identified, with infusions (30%) and decoctions (27%) most common, demonstrating adaptive techniques aligned with plant properties and targeted ailments. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) analysis revealed high agreement among respondents, particularly for asthma, labor pain, and promoting healthy hair (ICF=0.98), highlighting the coherence and reliability of traditional knowledge and identifying plants with potential for further pharmacological investigation. These findings underscore the importance of preserving intergenerational ethnomedicinal knowledge and prioritizing high-ICF species for future research.