Latino immigrants' use of herbs and traditional medical practices for maternity and child health in Athens, Georgia

MONTEBAN M

Cusco

Congreso; 11th International Congress of Ethnobiology; 2008

The International Society of Ethnobiology

This exploratory study examined change, resilience and articulation of traditional birthing practices among Latin American immigrantsin the US. Qualitative interviews were conducted with immigrants from Mexico living in Athens, Georgia, in 2008, 1 traditional healer, 1 mother, 2 Latino food store owners; and  with 1 Anglo state certified midwife. Latino women rely on plants, foods, and culturally mediated knowledge, adhering to cultural prescriptions and proscriptions during pregnancy and beyond. Cold foods are consumed while pregnant and hot foods after birth, a vulnerable time for women. Latina migrants often take on a pan-American identity which involves sharing an dadapting traditional knowledge regarding maternal and child health and adhering to what they have learned in their home country from their mothers and midwives. Latino stores cater to the migrants´ health needs by providing many of the required plants and spices. Articulation with the biomedical system occurs in different degrees according to the level of immersion of women in traditional practices upon migration. State certified midwifes advocate for scientific research to evaluate the effects of traditional maternal childhealth practices. Traditional birthing practices lend insight into the Latino concept of preventive health and wellbeing.