ABSTRACT
The current study explored the lived experiences of people using Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) in the treatment of hypertension and applied the concepts into science education. This qualitative phenomenological research design adopted in-depth interviews to obtain information from the participants. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. Results showed that users highly favor herbal remedies such as garlic, ginger, and lemongrass based on ease of access, cultural appropriateness, and perceived efficacy in managing blood pressure. Despite its efficacy, there were still obstacles in the form of difficulty in preparation and dosing as well as little information being available from science regarding the use of these remedies. Given the results, the study proposed, “Bridging Science and Tradition: A Training and Herbal Garden Intervention Program on TCAM for Hypertension Management” to foster the incorporation of culturally appropriate health practices into science education and to advance scientific knowledge and health awareness.
Keywords: Hypertension, Traditional and Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Science Education
INTRODUCTION
Hypertension is a significant public health issue globally. It is also one of the primary causes of cardiovascular diseases, strokes and kidney failures as well as premature death (World Health Organization, 2023). It has been estimated that over 1 billion adults across the globe are living with hypertension (World Health Organization, 2023), and many people either have not been diagnosed, or are not properly managed. Despite successes in treating hypertension with drugs, achieving effective control of blood pressure has been hindered by side effects associated with many antihypertensive drugs, limited ability for patients to access medical care due to financial limitations and by patients not adhering to their prescribed treatment plans. There is, therefore, growing interest among patients regarding the use of alternative methods to treat their hypertension. Such methods may include traditional methods (e.g., herbal medicine), complementary methods (e.g., dietary supplements) and alternative methods (e.g., mind-body therapies), as defined by the World Health Organization (2022).
Increasing use of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) reflects a shift toward more holistic and patient centered approaches to manage chronic illnesses such as hypertension. International research has shown that many people with high blood pressure use Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM), and that their usage is determined by how they think about TCAM, how they view whether or not it works, the availability of TCAM, and the level of dissatisfaction they feel with the medicines given to them by their doctors (Erku et al., 2016). This research indicates that TCAM usage occurs in many different regions of the world because TCAM usage is shaped by the culture and health-seeking behavior of the individual.
In Southeast Asia, specifically in the Philippines, the use of TCAM has historical roots as part of the traditional indigenous healing process. According to Palileo-Villanueva et al. (2022), the majority of Filipino adults diagnosed with high blood pressure report using TCAM, specifically herbal and biologically based treatments, and primarily for their complementary effects to western medicine. Scientific studies have begun exploring the mechanisms by which TCAM may influence blood pressure. Huang and Liu (2025), reported that herbal medicine(s) work to lower blood pressure via their antioxidant effects, promoting relaxation of the vascular system, and altering the way that the body regulates blood pressure through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Brook et al. (2008), noted that the use of mind-body practices, (e.g., meditation) and controlled breathing techniques reduce blood pressure by reducing stress and the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Given the impact of the experiences of patients utilizing TCAM on their willingness to seek out health care services, their adherence to treatment recommendations, and their understanding of the safety and effectiveness of the treatment modalities utilized, further study of these experiences is critical. According to Nguyen et al. (2023), in many instances, patients are able to sustain their use of TCAM despite there being a lack of solid clinical evidence to support its efficacy and hence understand better why patients make the choices they do and how they practice.
Thus, this study sought to explore the experiences of individuals in the utilization of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine for hypertension management and to examine how these experiences may be implemented within scientific inquiry.
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