JUST recently, there was a concept presented that “tuob” (steam inhalation) could kill the virus that causes the pandemic. Some doctors contradicted the abstraction as not true. The conflict resulted in a battle of words. Steam inhalation is practiced at home to fight common colds.
From the “babaylan” point of view, “tuob” is a healing ritual wherein the “herbolario” (herbalist) prepares burning charcoal inside a clay pot as his basic “tuob." If he wants to cure a child with measles, he can place bugnay leaves inside the pot to produce thin smoke and moves it around the child seven times. Seven is a lucky number.
While doing the ritual, the “herbolario” prays to God and implores the intervention of the friendly fairies. Bugnay leaves are believed to be medicinal and effective in curing an infection. Bugnay fruits look like measles also. Our ancestors believed that what resembles the skin infection could be a cure also.
Other leaves of plants with medicinal values are used in “tuob” like alibhon, kasla, kabugao, sura-cogon, langkawas, kawayan, alibotbot, agdao, madre de kakaw, and tanglad among others. Medicinal plants to be used are identified by the “herbolario” depending on the kind of illness. Sometimes the “herbolario” would say that the leaves of the plants to be used are suggested by the fairies.
In extreme cases, the “herbolario” may mix those leaves with dry ‘kamangyan” sap to drive away from the maleficent spirits. He may use also “tawas”, the component form of potash alum. The act is known as “pagtawas”. I learned all these from our family “herbolaria”, the late Tia Corazon.
In quackery, it is the practice of determining or discovering the cause of the person’s disease or sickness by burning alum crystals accompanied by praying. The burnt “tawas” will form a figure of the nefarious being responsible for the sickness of the patient.
“Tuob” ritual is just the first step... there could be another “tuob” ceremony depending on the recovery of the patient. The “herbolario” may suggest follow-up medicine by concocting the prescribed roots and leaves of medicinal plants. He does not charge for his services but accepts voluntary benefaction.
Sometimes the “herbolario” may find it hard to drive the evil spirits away. There are times that the disciples of darkness are fighting back. A firm “herbolario” prays hard for God’s support and seeks the assistance of the friendly fairies.
With the advent of modern science, “tuob” is gradually forgotten. People in urban areas now go to the doctors if they are sick. In some remote areas, many residents believe in animism and still consider the “herbolario”, “manugluy-a”, “serohano” and “manughilot” as their health guardians.
My friend, former councilor Solo Locsin of Silay, heard stories from his elders that “tuob” is used by the “taklas-balay kawatan” (burglars). Before getting inside the house, they will make the usual seven-round ceremony with the “tuob” pot containing human bones that they took from the cemetery.... especially the patella (kneecap) and pelvis (innominate bones).
The victims said that if they smell the smoke, they fall into a deep sleep. The thugs are free to roam around the house to loot the items of their choice. Sometimes the owners said that they could see what was happening but they could not move or utter a word.
“Tuob” could also be used in agriculture wherein farmers burn the dry leaves under the mango or santol tree for the smoke to drive away harmful flying insects and to induce the fruit-bearing trees to have more flowers. I enjoyed doing this when I was a boy because my grandfather was an orchard caretaker in Hacienda Adela.
In some Filipino houses, “tuob” is observed after the funeral rites. Those returning from the cemetery pass the area where there is a big pot emitting smoke near a washing basin with lukewarm water containing kabugao leaves. This is their idea of disinfection.
“Tuob” is a part of our culture. For the new generation, this may not be medicine but our ancestors believed in this. Sometimes healing is believing. Covid-19 is here and it could be prevented by evading what should be avoided and by doing what should be done.
Do we have “tuob” for women who cannot become pregnant? Yes, there is but that is another story. Believe me!