Ang Tambal

Tambal is a local herbal antidote for snake and dog bites commonly found in rural places particularly those that are miles away from nearby hospitals. Folks would have it that the local “tambal” is far more effective than costly medicines prescribed by physicians. Their claims have been substantiated by testimonies of local indigents who have in themselves experienced the healing power of “tambal”. Local herbal practitioners and “albolaryos” would just scrape bark of this mysterious tree, have it boiled for about 10 minutes, separate a glass of its extract for drinking and the rest for cleaning the infected wound, and the remaining bark will be plastered in the infected area for several hours. The process is this simple yet so effective.


Manong Roman Rapido is a known “tambal” specialist in our place. His stories of how he practically used the powers of his “tambal” to save people from near-death encounters with venomous snakes and other rabies-infested animals are something for medical records. It’s not just his stories that put premium to the authenticity of the “tambal” powers, close friends and distant relatives have basically put their trust in the healing powers of “tambal”. To add, it’s not just rabies and venoms that are covered by this miraculous herb, even headaches and dengue cases can be suppressed by this natural wonder.


I saw Manong Roman watching a billiard game downtown. I asked him if he still practice his medical expertise particularly the one that deals with dog bites. He asked me who the patient was, I replied I am, then he looked at my lacerated leg. He readily obliged and told me to meet him at his house while he prepares for the “medical procedure” including the post medical formula in a form of liquid substance named Ginebra San Miguel for the doctor himself.


There were several friends asking me to join them for a drink prior to my encounter with Mang Roman. My medical appointment with the good doctor has been my convenient excuse not to taste any liquor today. Their persistence paid off as I ended up providing bottles of gin, good thing it’s gin that they want and not beer, otherwise I will be forced to swipe my CC again at Manay Nora’s Convenience Store. The medical procedure then begun with bottle of gin at the operating table and my friends watching the sanctity of the process.


First thing Dr. Roman did was to clean the wound with the half-boiled “tambal” solution. An extract of the solution was also separated to cool down for me to drink after the operation is done. Just to make things clear on the sterility of the procedure, the extract “tambal” solution for drinking is not the one used in cleaning the wounds, had it been that way, I would have sued the doctor for not having served it icy cold! The process ended with the grated “tambal” bark plastered in my wound. Stories after stories were told as my friends watched the procedure. The more they drink their “medicinal gin”, the spicier the gathering has become.


The most important part of this medical procedure is the part where the patient gives the doctor a token of appreciation. They say that healing, or should I say the urgency of the healing process depends on the “amount” of appreciation the patient has given. In some parts of the countryside a white chicken or a gay cow is a must to ensure full and immediate recovery. On my part, I had given less to guarantee a good life but the token can be enough to ensure lasting friendship. At the end of the day, it is the bond between doctors and patients that keeps illness off our bodies. A bond made stronger by harmony and trust.