“exploring gender issues and the use of ethno-medicine among women in latin american cultures”...

““Exploring Gender Issues and the Exploring Gender Issues and the Use of Ethno-medicine among Use of Ethno-medicine among

Women in Latin American Cultures”Women in Latin American Cultures”

Profesora Clementina E. Profesora Clementina E. Adams,Adams,

Clemson UniversityClemson University

IntroductionIntroduction

• For generations, Asian, Latin American, and even North American women, have trusted ethno-medicine to deal with gender-related problems.

Women and Ethno-medicine

WomenWomen and and ProcreationProcreation

Women’ s sensitivity and trust in ancestors’ choices increases their motivation and interest in ethno-medicine. In their role as procreators, women try to improve their chances with the “magic potions” that ethno-medicine can provide.


Trust in Ethno-medicineTrust in Ethno-medicineEthno-medicine helps to reduce levels of stress in female patients, which contributes to increases in their general health and fertility. There is not sufficient hard data to justify the effect of those remedies; however, modern technology and globalization have contributed to validate women’s trust.


Health as a BalanceHealth as a BalanceFor centuries, scientists and naturalists have tried to find the causes and best cures for diseases. First, the Greeks believed diseases were caused by unbalanced humors. This concept is similar to Latin Americans’ beliefs in diseases as an inbalance between cold and heat in the body.


Hot and Hot and ColdCold diseasesdiseases

• The following are examples of hot diseases: pregnancy, hypertension, diabetes, acid indigestion, susto, ojo and bìlis.

• The following are considered cold diseases: menstrual cramps, frio de la matriz, coryza, pneumonia, empacho, and colic.


Remedies Remedies thatthat Bring Bring BalanceBalance

The “curandero” or healer reestablishes the body’s balance using a reverse treatment: Cold remedies for "hot" diseases and hot remedies for “cold“ ones. For example, hypertension, a hot illness, is treated with cold remedies: bananas and lemon juice; herbs and fruit teas.


FitoterapiaFitoterapia

• Fitoterapia: the use of natural remedies:• Advantages:

– Easy to find in our own house or neighborhood.– Provides more prolonged and constant effects,

with less damaging side effects. – Do not cause stomachache of headache.– They are free or have a very low cost.– Can be taken with tea or coffee or mate.– Names are easy to recognize and pronounce.– The plants can be grown in your garden or

collected for free in nature.

Women and Ethno-medicineWomen and Ethno-medicine

Women’s Use of Ethno-MedicineWomen’s Use of Ethno-Medicine

• For this presentation three important aspects of women’s use of folk medicine are considered:– Women and Fertility– Women and Beauty and

Youth– Women and Common

Illnesses


Women and Fertility IssuesWomen and Fertility Issues

• A large number of women with fertility problems believe in the effectiveness of natural and folk remedies. Being fertile also requires a healthy sexual desire which many women prefer to treat with the help of folk and ethno-medicines.


Women’s LiberationWomen’s Liberation

• “…Many women are enjoying motherhood later in life in order to pursue their dreams…And those beyond menopause are reclaiming their sexual selves to take pleasure in vibrant, active sex lives.”

• “Nature has given both men and women the ability to enjoy sexual pleasure for the duration of their lives!”


Ethno-medicine and FertilityEthno-medicine and Fertility

Homeopathy, naturopathy, Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine use ancient techniques, such as herbal remedies, cleansers, and acupuncture, to increase fertility. These approaches usually work best if both partners (producers of egg and sperm) are involved.


Fertility Treatments and Side Fertility Treatments and Side EffectsEffects

Scientists have used HRT to treat fertility and menopause in women; after many real trials, they found definitive evidence that the risks of long-term combinations of therapy outweigh their benefits. The benefits: fewer hip fractures and a lower rate of colorectal cancer; did not top the risks—of breast cancer, heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes.All the information aboutAll the information about HRT and WHI research comes from Susan Jacoby’s article HRT and WHI research comes from Susan Jacoby’s article weighing the Risks In Study's Aftermath, Experts Urge Women Taking weighing the Risks In Study's Aftermath, Experts Urge Women Taking Combined HRT To Assess Own NeedsCombined HRT To Assess Own Needs,, of September 2002. of September 2002.


Fertility Plants AlternativesFertility Plants Alternatives

• Alternatives to HRT: "bio-identical" or "natural" hormones, such as Tri-est or Estrace, contain estrogens synthesized from plants. (not thoroughly tested).

• Some believe, soy black cohosh, the Chinese herb dong quai, and evening primrose oil, relieves their symptoms, but clinical evidence is equivocal and they have not been proven more effective than placebos.


Fertility TreatmentsFertility Treatments

Just as infertility is usually a combination of causes, the path to conception usually takes a combination of changes, treatments and options. Don’t be afraid to combine the ancient with the modern, or the natural with the high-tech.


Remedies for Women’s Sexual Remedies for Women’s Sexual LifeLife

• *Gingko Biloba: Used in China, for thousands of years, it is believed to promote longevity, improve circulation and libido. It also enhances mental alertness.

• *Mentol (eucalypts): Has relaxing and dilating effects on skin cells for better blood circulation and fluency to the body limbs including the clitoris.


Other Remedies for a Other Remedies for a Healthy Sexual LifeHealthy Sexual Life

• *Ginseng Siberian and palm: Increases the libido’s energy and promotes better vaginal lubrication.

• *Bayberry: It is a sexual stimulant, improves the blood flow and vaginal lubrication.


More Remedies for More Remedies for Healthy Sexual LifeHealthy Sexual Life

**Catuaba: A South American bush, and a great stimulant, used by natives for centuries. It stimulates the central nervous system and the areas that control sexual responses. It is also recommended for men.


Beauty Remedies Beauty Remedies • Astringents• Cola de caballo/ Ortiga• Emolients y demulcents• Aloe Vera / Batatilla

/Borraja/ Malva• Antiseptics• Cangorosa / Ceibo /

Ñandypá• Healing• Cangorosa/ Cola de

caballo / ÑandypáWomen and Ethno-medicine

Beauty Remedies Beauty Remedies

• Hair Problems: Berro / Culantrillo / Romero

• Perspiration and Sweating: Kapi’i kati / Kuratu (Cilantro)/ Romero

• Clinical trials have shown: – Vitamin E delays some

symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

– Gingko Biloba slightly improves mental functioning in patients with dementia.

Female-Focused RemediesFemale-Focused Remedies• For the urinary and

genital tracks• Diuretics

– Amargón /Cepacaballo/ Cola de caballo/ Perdudilla/ Siete sangrias/ Tapakue/ Zarzaparrilla

• Uterine Stimulants– Arasá/ Poleo/ Ruda

• Urinary Disinfectants– Ajenjo/ Albahaca/

Batatilla/ ÑandypáWomen and Ethno-medicine

Female-Focused RemediesFemale-Focused Remedies• Genital Disinfectants

– Cepacaballo/Karanda’y/ Ñandypá/ Tapakue

• Menstrual Problems– Borraja/Burrito/

Cedrón/ Culantrillo/ Hierba lucero/ Hinojo/ Marcela/ Perejil/ Poleo/ Romero/ Ruda

Note: Remedies cited come from the book on Fitoterapy, presented by María Stella Cáceres A., Executive Director of the Celestina Pérez de Almada Fundación, Asunción, Paraguay, June 2001. Women and Ethno-medicine

Integrative MedicineIntegrative Medicine• Goal: to treat each individual holistically,

and to increase his/her life span and strength. (In TCM, this is called qi; in Ayurvedic medicine it is referred to as prana.)

• In TCM, practitioners will also assess the nature of the energy flow between a couple and adapt their treatments accordingly. These techniques have helped people become parents for millennia.


Complementary Integrative Complementary Integrative MedicineMedicine

Treatment occurs in the least invasive, most natural way to foster a well-balanced, well-nourished body that will resist disease, fight infection, heal faster, age gracefully and rarely if ever need more radical intervention.


Complementary Integrative Complementary Integrative MedicineMedicine

Alternative medicine as part of a conventional treatment is called complementary medicine. Many leading hospitals now offer that alternative. There is still confusion about the appropriateness of the name.


Complementary Integrative Complementary Integrative Medicine in the CurriculumMedicine in the Curriculum

Integrative medicine is now a part of the curriculum at 28 major medical schools in the United States. This is great progress, but unfortunately, what is being taught in medical schools is far ahead of what most doctors are telling their patients.


Traditional and Conventional Traditional and Conventional MedicineMedicine

• Both practices have benefits and limitations, but together they provide a synergy that can transform your health and fill you with vitality, naturally, for the rest of your life.

• Chronic diseases are on the rise and are evidenct at younger and younger ages.

• Drugs have side effects that often diminish or shorten our quality of life.


Herbal MedicinesHerbal Medicines

• Herbal remedies are the basis for many prescription drugs in the Western paradigm.

• Therapeutic herbal remedies are the specialty of herbalists, but they are a component of teas, tinctures, oils, creams, and pills.

• Many herbs can be poisonous or interact dangerously with prescription drugs, so it is best to use them under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. Women and Ethno-medicine

ConclusionConclusion

Ethno-medicine is one widely used alternative for a good number of women. The main motivations are to increase their procreative power and their desire to have a healthy balanced life, not only internally but also in their physical appearance. Another motivation lies in the trust in the experience of ancestors. It is evident that ethno-medicine has a place as one of our medical alternatives.


Herbal Medicine Research Herbal Medicine Research ResourcesResources

• Original Publication Date:Original Publication Date: 10/26/200610/26/2006Last Modified: Last Modified: 02/16/2010 02/16/2010 Principal Author:Principal Author: Marcelle Pick, Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NPOB/GYN NP

• Manual De Uso De Hierbas Manual De Uso De Hierbas Medicinales Del ParaguayMedicinales Del Paraguay. . InvestigationInvestigation by María Stella by María Stella Cáceres A., Editing: Marta Machaín Cáceres A., Editing: Marta Machaín Singer; TranslationCastellano - Singer; TranslationCastellano - Guaraní: Arnaldo Gutierrez Acosta.Guaraní: Arnaldo Gutierrez Acosta.

• Medicina Natural, Manuel Lezaeta Medicina Natural, Manuel Lezaeta Acharan, Editorial Pax Mexico, Acharan, Editorial Pax Mexico, 1997. [and others].1997. [and others].

• Traditional Medical Traditional Medical Beliefs Beliefs (list of (list of references) Selected references) Selected and compiled by and compiled by Jacquelyn Coughlan, Jacquelyn Coughlan, M.S., M.L.S. M.S., M.L.S. , May 2004 , May 2004 (126 citations)(126 citations)

• Plantas medicinales Plantas medicinales andinas, EduardoRuiz, andinas, EduardoRuiz, Ediciones Abala-Yala, Ediciones Abala-Yala, 1993.1993.

• Nature’s Cures, Michael Nature’s Cures, Michael Castleman,Rodale Castleman,Rodale Books, 1996.Books, 1996.


The EndThe End

Thank you for your attention; Thank you for your attention; for questions or suggestions, for questions or suggestions,

please contact me via e-mail at please contact me via e-mail at [email protected]@clemson.edu


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