Aetas’ ken on herbal medicine goes international

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — The Aeta’s generations-old knowledge of herbal medicines is going international.

The world renowned Switzerland-based Juhldal Pharmaceuticals has proposed a "50-50 joint venture" with Aetas based in the Sacobia area for the development of new medicines and pharmaceuticals making use of herbs used by the cultural minority for treating various ailments.

Noel Tulabut, officer-in-charge of the public affairs office of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), said Juhldal Pharmaceuticals is an international research foundation dealing in the development of herbal medicines, natural cosmetics, and other pharmaceutical products based on organics.

The foundation’s head, Dr. Jorgen George Juhldal, is set to enlist the Aetas in the joint venture project after learning about Aeta expertise on indigenous herbal medicines brought to his attention by retired US Air Force Maj. Niels Peterson who now resides in Angeles City.

Dr. Juhldal said that the developed medicines and pharmaceuticals are to be sold in local and international markets.

Aetas are known to be capable of enumerating either the specific names or the descriptions of at least 450 plants, 75 birds, and most of the snakes, fish, insects, and other animals, including no less than 20 species of ants in their mountain communities. All adult Aetas have been noted to have basic knowledge of medicinal plants.

The Swiss firm submitted its proposal to the CDC which has jurisdiction over the Sacobia lands and has an office which deals with the Aetas.

But apart from the pharmaceutical undertaking, the Juhldal foundation has also proposed to undertake the development of a portion of the vast Sacobia area, mostly covered by Tarlac province, into a theme park to attract tourists.

"The proposal for the park would preserve Aeta culture as integral part of tourist attraction," Tulabut said. — Ding Cervantes