Our little Bitaog is now almost as tall as I am. I grew it from fallen fruit I found on the coast of Infanta, Quezon. I had no idea it would still be healthy and growing, thanks to my Mommy Cel who adopted some of our plants after a move.
Turns out Bitaog (𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘮 𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘮) is seen as a “panacea”, because most of the tree’s parts have been used for various ailments, skin issues, and made into other products from the Philippines, to the Pacific Islands since ancient times.
In Hawaii Bitaog is known as Kamani where it was used to make canoes and food bowls. In Fiji it is known as Dilo where the oil is used to help with arthritis, while in the Philippines it is also used as an anti-inflammatory for join pains and other ailments.
Speaking of plants, this is a good segway to an online lecture happening this Saturday at 10am (Friday evening for those in the US) on organic gardening, do register with our friends at amidstthegreen on Instagram.
Photo of a full-grown Bitaog from Dasol, Pangasinan. The flowers are fragrant and also worn by women in coastal areas to this day.
