Filipino Communities Use Native Plants to Stay Healthy
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Provided by: Mongabay Kids|Published on: May 15, 2026
Articles/Websites
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This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this article, students will learn that Indigenous communities in the Philippines use plants to treat illnesses.
- This article highlights how the Manobo-Dulangan people carefully harvest plants and care for the environment to ensure that they will continue to thrive.

Subjects: Science
Authors: Mongabay Kids
Region: Asia
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This article does a great job of highlighting the importance of taking only what you need from the land and respecting natural resources.
- Students may be intrigued to find that people are making their medicine out of plants.
Prerequisites
- It may benefit students for teachers to point out the Philippines on a map before reading this article.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Teachers can use this resource to highlight the importance of biodiversity and explain why we need to maintain biodiversity.
- Teachers can make connections to climate change by explaining how some plant species may not be able to survive in their habitats as the planet warms.
- Students can demonstrate their understanding by answering the question, "Why should we care for our natural spaces?"
This article discusses how Indigenous communities in the Philippines use the plants around them to treat different mild illnesses. The article focuses on a Manobo-Dulangan man and his practices. Sustainability, the importance of staying mindful of nature, and Indigenous knowledge are also discussed. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Mongabay Kids
Mongabay Kids is the dedicated youth education initiative at Mongabay, an award-winning nonprofit environmental and conservation news organization. We provide free, age-appropriate news, features, activities, and multimedia resources that inspire curiosity, ecological understanding, and action. Designed for children ages 8-14, families, and educators, Mongabay Kids empowers the next generation to explore, celebrate, and protect the natural world.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →

