Deadly Superstition: DOH Issues Health Warning Against Mercury Use for ‘Kulam’ and ‘Barang’ as EcoWaste Coalition Rings Alarm

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Quezon City, July 1, 2025 — In a groundbreaking public health move that blends science with cultural sensitivity, the Department of Health (DOH) has officially issued a public advisory against the use of toxic mercury as a so-called antidote to witchcraft practices like kulam and barang—a long-overdue response to escalating concerns raised by environmental health advocates and medical professionals.

The warning, released on June 29, directly addresses a dangerous and often misunderstood folk remedy that continues to thrive in the shadows of Filipino belief systems. The practice—fueled by fear, superstition, and online misinformation—has driven many to obtain and use liquid mercury, believing it can repel or neutralize curses or psychic attacks.

But the DOH has made its stance crystal clear: “There is no safe level of mercury in the human body.”

“May mga ebidensya na nagpapatunay na ang mercury poisoning ay nagdudulot ng malubhang epekto sa utak, ugat, bato, at iba pang organ ng katawan,” the DOH warned.

This public advisory marks a significant victory for the EcoWaste Coalition, a prominent environmental and public health watchdog, which had been pushing the government to take action since early this year.

The Mercury Menace: From Ritual to Risk

The belief that mercury can serve as a “pamatay-bisa” or neutralizer of curses has led to disturbing practices—including applying mercury directly to the skin or planting it under the flesh. This isn’t only irrational; it’s potentially lethal.

Mercury is a neurotoxin—a substance so poisonous that even minor exposure can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, nerves, and reproductive organs. Worse, it can vaporize at room temperature, turning into an invisible threat inhaled by unsuspecting household members, including children.

In February 2025, EcoWaste Coalition formally requested the DOH to issue a health warning following online trends and marketplace listings where liquid mercury was being marketed as a “spiritual shield.” Ads claiming mercury could "protect from barang" or "remove spiritual blockages" had proliferated across social media platforms and e-commerce sites, targeting vulnerable individuals desperate for relief from imagined curses.

Quiapo’s Dark Market and the Call for Crackdown

Even before the DOH’s advisory, EcoWaste had flagged this issue to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as early as September 2023, exposing the illegal sale of mercury near Quiapo Church, a site infamous for its open-air markets selling herbal concoctions, talismans, and magical items.

In violation of DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-20—which prohibits mercury’s use in traditional or religious practices—vendors have been discreetly peddling mercury under the guise of “healing” and “protection.” The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in its booklet on Cultural Uses of Mercury, highlights the grave dangers of such practices:

Mercury vapor can linger and harm even future occupants of a space.

Users are often unaware of the chemical’s toxicity.

The risk extends to transport, handling, and accidental spills.

Internet Transactions Act: A Legal Lifeline

EcoWaste is now calling on authorities to fully leverage the newly enforced Internet Transactions Act to dismantle the digital black market for mercury and other banned toxic products. The law, designed to safeguard Filipino consumers in online environments, could become a vital tool in halting the digital spread of pseudoscientific and dangerous goods.

“People should not be lured into using such a highly toxic chemical,” EcoWaste reiterated. “Mercury has no healing properties. It is not a mystical cure. It is a silent killer.”

They are urging the public to report vendors selling mercury or mercury-containing products to the DOH via docbrand@doh.gov.ph or through the DOH Toxicology Specialty Centers, where experts can provide accurate information on mercury’s hazards.

Science Over Superstition: A Wake-Up Call for the Nation

The DOH’s health advisory serves as a clarion call: Belief should never trump biology. In a society where folk medicine continues to occupy space in daily life, it’s crucial to draw the line where health is compromised.

For the EcoWaste Coalition and health-conscious Filipinos, this is more than a policy win—it’s a life-saving declaration. The battle now shifts from issuance to enforcement, from awareness to education, from superstition to science.

As we navigate a world where ancient fears still haunt modern minds, one message echoes loud and clear: mercury is poison—no matter the spell, no matter the curse.

If you suspect mercury poisoning or illegal sales, report immediately to docbrand@doh.gov.ph.

For medical inquiries, call the DOH Toxicology Centers.

Stay informed. Stay safe. Science protects—superstition endangers.

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