Do you believe in the Doctrine of Signatures?

Dr Abe V Rotor
Living with Nture School on Blog
Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Ms Melly C Tenorio
738 DZRB AM Band, 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday People from olden times to the present associate the characteristics of plants, animals and other organisms with healing and vitality. It could be the other around, .  It which in both cases make up to many kinds of taboo.  

They claim that they can read how nature intended them to be used. Here are some examples.

• Liverworts (Riccia and Marchantia) which resemble the shape of liver are effective in curing diseases of the liver.

• The shapes of eggplant and avocado suggest fertility and aphrodisiac value.

• Apple and mango resemble the heart and are therefore good when it comes to matters of love.

• Kidney beans are good for the kidney, but the truth is that it has high uric acid content and it may trigger arthritis.

• The garlic plant has a hollow stem so that it would be of benefit in afflictions of the windpipe, hence used in all types of respiratory disorders such as cough, colds, catarrh, asthma and bronchial problems.

• Cabbage is good for the head, cures headache, and possibly increases intelligence. too. Others rely more on the coconut, and even say, "Use your coconut." Only that the coconut is hollow inside.

• Puso ng saging or banana blossom, may enlarge the heart to accepting a marriage proposal.  I'd rather attribute its success if ever, to its culinary power.

• Onion makes the skin dainty and white, likened to balat sibuyas, but beware: it may also predispose one to become very sensitive.

• Banana improves dexterity of fingers. It's good for pianists and violinists, and magicians, too. 

Wonder why sweet potato causes flatulence, onions and garlic bad breath, siili or red pepper associated with the devil? When I was in the grade, my teacher would say to a pupil who did not know his lesson, "Go home and plant kamote." Is it true that papaya should not be planted near the window because it sheds tears? Plant cactus near the gate and no witch will dare enter your house.
Science tells us physical appearance has nothing to do with the curative powers of plants, or animals for that matter. It is true that garlic is an effective respiratory cure, but it is its active ingredients (allicin et al, derived from its generic name Allium sativum) that are responsible for it. Belief in the old folks and in the unseen (saan a katataoan Ilk), too, while lacking scientific explanation adds quaintness to living. It bridges tradition with progress on the swift current of change. Patola (kabatiti Ilk), anyone?

Then there is Soup No 5, prepared from the male sex organ of animals - testicles and penis. There are restaurants here and abroad that specialize in menus prepared from certain parts of animals believed to have curative and aphrodisiac properties. Eyeballs of ox and goat help restore vision, tongue stimulates discussion and opens up the naive, brain improves learning, tendons reinforces aging joints, and so on. 

Taboos are not difficult to find.  Fresh blood is sucked directly from animals, including snakes. House lizard can cure asthma and hiccup. There was a time Gecko was in great demand abroad that their population was threatened. Eat shark and you will act like one.  So with the crocodile. How about migratory locust? Hantik? But there are explanations offered to explain the alleged effectiveness of such practices, mainly nutritional value, healing through faith, and other psychological aspects. 

Chinese medicine tells us more. So with our own herbolarios. It is a matter of belief. ~