Medicinal plant use in two Tiwi Island communities: a qualitative research study

Adam Thompson,Gemma Munkara,Marie Kantilla,Jacinta Tipungwuti

doi:10.1186/s13002-019-0315-2

Adam Thompson, Gemma Munkara + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-019-0315-2

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Abstract

BackgroundTraditional medicinal plants are still used today in many Aboriginal communities across Australia. Our research focused on the contemporary use of such plants in the two communities within the Tiwi Islands, Wurrumiyanga and Pirlangimpi.MethodsThis qualitative research project performed a video ethnography, community interviews, and a trial intervention to better understand the extent to which these plants are still used throughout the community and how they may be used more in the future.ResultsWe found that several plants are still used predominantly as medicinal washes to treat skin disorders and/or as a tea to treat congestion associated with cold and flu. Those plants that are commonly used are found near to the community in large amounts and are recognized as being both safe and effective.ConclusionsWithin the community, it is the elder women who remain most knowledgeable about these plants and continue to make them for their families. However, there are many families who no longer know how to make these traditional medicines though they express a desire to use them. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a central location or method to produce traditional medicine for the community—a bush pharmacy.

Highlights

Traditional medicinal plants are still used today in many Aboriginal communities across Australia
The Tiwi Islands lie within the Northern Territory of Australia approximately 90 km north of Darwin where the Arafura Sea joins the Timor Sea
Results of focused ethnography The wet season which occurs from November to April is not a good time to travel outside the community to the bush

Summary

Introduction

Traditional medicinal plants are still used today in many Aboriginal communities across Australia. The Tiwi are believed to have remained in relative isolation from mainland groups ever since the islands became separated and developed a culture relatively distinct from mainland Aboriginal Australians [3]. Older women were acknowledged as the primary food collectors who taught younger women the skills for foraging the myriad of vegetable foods available in the bush [6] Much of this collection occurred within the mangroves. Tiwi men claimed that if a man had only one young wife, as the missionaries encouraged, he would go hungry Those men that did convert to Christianity were still seen to have many older women in their family group who were related to him to provide food [7]

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Results

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