In a powerful convergence of tradition and innovation, the College of Nursing, in partnership with the University Extension Office, launched “Green Remedies: Enhancing Herbal Garden and Training in Utilization on Natural Resources cum Lecture on Communicable Diseases” on May 2, 2025, in Napo, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur.
The activity is part of the CARE Program under Project Healthy NAPOh, a holistic health initiative that champions sustainable wellness practices. Through hands-on workshops and a revitalized community herbarium, the event empowered residents to rediscover the healing power of nature. Participants were trained in identifying, cultivating, and using over 50 medicinal plants, reinforcing both environmental stewardship and local health literacy.
Alongside the herbal garden enhancement, lectures on communicable diseases were conducted by nursing faculty. These sessions emphasized prevention, early detection, and responsible health-seeking behaviors, especially crucial in rural settings.
By nurturing indigenous knowledge and encouraging participatory learning, Green Remedies reflects a broader commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) and Life on Land (SDG 15). The initiative stands as a testament to the university’s enduring mission: to cultivate self-reliant, resilient, and health-conscious communities across the region.
Article by Rizza Abinsay.
