title: Ethnopharmacological studies on the uses of Euphorbia hirta in the treatment of dengue in selected indigenous communities in Pangasinan (Philippines).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Euphorbia hirta is the most widely used plant in the folkloric treatment of dengue in the Philippines. This study documents the anecdotal uses of E. hirta in the treatment of dengue in 3 indigenous communities in Pangasinan from April to June of 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  The number of use reports pertaining to symptoms of dengue and other diseases were tallied from 82 informants living in Anda Island, Mt. Colisao and Mt. Balungao. The demographics of the informants as well as the corrected major use agreements (cMUAs) and fidelity levels (FLs) of each reported symptom of dengue were calculated. The major dosage forms used during treatment were also tallied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents, dominated by the age group 60-80 and mostly females with at least primary and secondary education, provided information on the use reports of E. hirta. High FL values and cMUA of at least 35% were obtained for cardinal symptoms of dengue-related to bleeding episodes while low cMUAs (i.e. 2-4%) were obtained for symptoms during the recovery phase. High FL values were obtained for symptoms observed during the febrile phase. The most widely used dosage forms are decoctions of the leaves and barks of E. hirta.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study was able to qualify the uses of E. hirta in the treatment of dengue in the 3 communities surveyed.
authors.affiliation: Cluster of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Gerard Quinto
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: de Guzman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Aleth Therese Lora
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Dacanay
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Benjel Andaya
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Andaya
authors.affiliation: Cluster of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Grecebio Jonathan Duran
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Alejandro
keywords: Dengue; Euphorbia hirta; Pangasinan; ethnopharmacological