Bhye Bhaddi: A food and health concept of Punjabi Asians

Abstract

This report concerns bhye bhaddi which is a Punjabi term describing an Asian concept of disease caused by dietary imbalance. The details were obtained during an interview study of the health beliefs of Asians when the term was discussed quite spontaneously by 25 of 65 interviewees. Subsequent informal investigation revealed that most Punjabis brought up on the subcontinent are conversant with the concept but few of those growing up in Britain have other than superficial knowledge. The terms used included bhye whye bhaddi and bhye bhaddi the latter being the most frequent appellation. Bhye bhaddi illustrates the persistence of humoral concepts of health and the important role of food in the health beliefs of Asians. A diet containing an imbalance of certain foods including black gram and many other pulses rice cauliflower and potatoes was said to be the underlying cause of bhye bhaddi. Hot substances such as ginger garlic asafoetida and karela (bitter gourd) were considered to prevent bhye bhaddi and recommended as accompaniments to such foods. Neglect of this dietary rule risks the disorder which presents as an excess of mucous production causing excessive salivation (most noticeable at night) and crusting of the eyes. Health professionals need to be aware of traditional health concepts. Symptoms believed to be associated with cultural diseases are generally presented at a late stage as the patient perceives the doctor to be ignorant of such problems and medical advice to be unhelpful. The patient may present an interpretation of the health problem rather than describe the primary symptoms.