Why Herbal Medicine Matters to Me
For generations, Filipino families have turned to medicinal plants as part of everyday life. Long before pharmacies became common, parents, grandparents, and community healers learned to care for their families using the plants that grew in their backyards, farms, and forests.
Those traditions deserve both our respect and our thoughtful examination.
Today, scientific research continues to study many Philippine medicinal plants to better understand their chemical constituents, potential health benefits, appropriate uses, and limitations. Some traditional practices are supported by growing scientific evidence. Others remain promising but require further study.
As a retired Certified Public Accountant, I spent my professional life examining evidence before drawing conclusions. As a herbalist and steward of our family's forest, I bring that same discipline to studying medicinal plants. I believe traditional knowledge and scientific research are not opponents—they are partners in the search for truth.
That is where I hope this blog will live.
Not in myths.
Not in miracle cures.
But in respectful curiosity, careful observation, and evidence-informed learning.
Whenever I write about a medicinal plant, I will do my best to distinguish clearly between:
Traditional uses passed down through generations of Filipino families and Indigenous communities.
Current scientific evidence from published research and reputable health institutions.
My own personal observations from gardening, fieldwork, and lifelong learning.
Those three perspectives are not always the same—and that is perfectly acceptable.
Sometimes traditional knowledge is supported by scientific evidence.
Sometimes science is still catching up.
Sometimes the most honest conclusion is simply, "We do not know yet."
I believe humility is one of the most important qualities of both a scientist and a steward.
As a person of faith, I believe God has given us a remarkable natural world to explore with gratitude and care. As a former CPA, I believe every conclusion should be supported by trustworthy evidence.
Those two convictions guide everything I write as The CPA Herbalist.
My hope is that this blog encourages readers not only to appreciate Philippine medicinal plants, but also to think critically, continue learning, care responsibly for God's creation, and pass on both wisdom and truth to the next generation.
Growing wisdom, one herb and one story at a time.