Traditional Home Remedies Research Articles

Exploratory Study of the Occupational Health and Health-Seeking of Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers on the U.S.–Mexico Border

The U.S. migrant and seasonal farmworker (MSFW) workforce is aging. Aging causes functional changes that can affect work performance and increase injury/accident risk. It also has been linked with deferred health-seeking. The exploratory study was conducted to investigate occupational injuries and health-seeking in Hispanic MSFW on the U.S.-Mexico border. Data were collected using an abbreviated Spanish-version of the California Agricultural Worker Health Survey. Nearly 60% of the 141 participants were middle-aged or older. Musculoskeletal injuries and those consistent with agrochemical and environmental exposures were common. Farmworkers aged >40 years were 2.5-5 times more likely than younger MSFW to report persistent single and multiple injuries involving the knees, shoulder, feet, and hands. Except for neck and back injuries, few received any medical treatment. Although many self-treated with traditional home remedies, few used CAM practitioners. The study findings highlight the multiple workplace health and health-seeking challenges faced by aging immigrant MSFW.

Is honey a well-evidenced alternative to over-the-counter cough medicines?

Is honey a well-evidenced alternative to over-the-counter cough medicines?

Efficacy of chemical and botanical over‐the‐counter pediculicides available in Brazil, and off‐label treatments, against head lice ex vivo

There is a lack of reliable data on the efficacy of over-the-counter (OTC) pediculicides in Brazil. We performed ex vivo assays of eight marketed pediculicides: 1% permethrin (Kwell, Clean Hair, Keltrina, Nedax), 0.02% deltamethrin (Deltacid, Pediderm), and two "natural" products (Piolho e Lêndea, Pilogenio). We also tested 5% permethrin (Keltrina Plus), traditional home remedies and an ivermectin-based product used in veterinary medicine. Head lice (49-52 per group) were immersed in the compound for 3 min and washed after 20 min to simulate the typical in vivo treatment protocol. Lice were examined for activity up to 24 h using stringent criteria for survival. Of the permethrin containing products, highest mortality was observed with Kwell and Clean Hair (97.9 and 90.2% after 4 h). Keltrina, Nedax, Keltrina Plus, and the two deltamethrin-based products showed only a low efficacy of <60% after 4 h. With exception of pure coconut oil (80% mortality after 4 h), home remedies showed a very low efficacy, and both marketed products killed few lice. The ivermectin-based product caused a mortality of 100% after 4 h. Most Brazilian OTC products did not show a satisfactory efficacy against head lice. Resistance may be present. Ivermectin and coconut oil are promising compounds for topical treatment. Laboratory-based tests should be used to assess resistance patterns and to identify formulations of the active ingredient that increase the efficacy. Standardized testing should be performed before a product is licensed for head lice treatment.

Parents’ and primary care practitioners’ differing perspectives on traditional and complementary approaches to health (TCA) for children in a multi-ethnic community

Question To compare parents’ and primary care practitioners’ attitudes, knowledge and beliefs regarding traditional and complementary approaches to health (TCA) for children. Methods This exploratory qualitative study was conducted in community settings and primary care in Northwest London. Eleven focus groups with parents from multi-ethnic communities explored the use of TCA for their children, their decision-making process and whether they communicated with healthcare practitioners on the use of TCA. Creches and translation were used when necessary. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with 30 primary care practitioners (GPs, nurses, health visitors and midwives) to explore their attitudes and beliefs to TCA and professional behaviour. Sampling was purposive and iterative to capture the range of ethnic groups. All interviews and focus groups were analysed using Framework Analysis, inter-rater coding and Atlas.ti software. Results Some practitioners were aware of the extent of TCA use in the community, but numerous areas of disparity between parents and practitioners regarding their knowledge, views and perceptions of TCA were identified. These included disparate definitions of the terms ‘traditional’ and ‘complementary’, practitioners’ underestimated the extent of TCA use, especially for routine day-to-day use of traditional home remedies and different beliefs about what types of TCA should be used. Practitioners’ perceived TCA users as affluent, ‘informed’ and in certain ethnic groups and placed greater importance on evidence and safety. In general health visitors’ views were closer to parents’, GPs’ were most disparate. These areas of disparity may have implications for patient care due to practitioners’ limited knowledge of the real-life use of TCA in the community. This may affect trust and communication within the practitioner–family relationship, limit patient-centred care and parent empowerment, and have potential safety implications. Conclusion Many primary care practitioners, especially GPs, had a different perspective regarding TCA compared with parents. They underestimated the extent and range of TCA use and focussed on issues that are less important to parents. This may affect the practitioner–family relationship and child healthcare.

Roles of bile acid conjugates and phospholipids in in vitro activation of pancreatic lipase by bear bile and cattle bile

Ethnopharmacological relevance Bear bile (BB) originally used as a traditional Chinese medicine has also been adopted in Japan as a traditional home remedy mainly for gastrointestinal problems due to impaired digestion. However, recently, efforts have been made to find alternatives to BB for ecological and ethical reasons. Aims of the study To find alternatives to BB for facilitating fat digestion, we compared the potency of cattle bile (CB) or synthetic mixtures of major bile components to activate pancreatic lipase with that of BB. Materials and methods The compositions of bile acid conjugates and phospholipids in BB and CB were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography, respectively. The effects of BB and CB as well synthetic mixtures of bile acid conjugates and phospholipids on pancreatic lipase activity in vitro were examined. Results BB and CB contained markedly different types and quantities of bile acid conjugates and phospholipids, although the potencies of BB and CB to activate pancreatic lipase were not significantly different. The potency of BB to activate pancreatic lipase was reconstituted by the major bile acid conjugates and phospholipids found in BB. In contrast, only bile acid conjugates found in CB could reconstitute its potency to activate pancreatic lipase. Conclusions Our observations indicate that CB or the synthetic mixture of bile components can be used as an alternative to BB for facilitating fat digestion.

Developing a decision-making model on traditional and complementary medicine use for children

Aim To explore why parents choose traditional and complementary approaches to health for their children, particularly the influence of cultural beliefs and norms, and develop a conceptual model based on Andersen's sociobehavioural model. Materials and methods Focus groups with 92 parents from at least 20 different countries living in London, UK, explored the influence of predisposing, enabling, need factors and healthcare experience on traditional and complementary healthcare use for children. Themes were identified using Framework Analysis. Results Traditional home remedies including herbs, spices, foods, prayer and rituals were used by most parents, often as a first choice of treatment. Parents were categorised into one of seven typologies depending on how these approaches were used: informed, routine, committed, pragmatic, open, last resort and nonbeliever. All three components of the sociobehavioural model (predisposing, enabling, need) were involved in parents’ decision-making when using traditional and complementary healthcare for children. Conclusions The sociobehavioural model can be used to conceptualise parental decision-making process for child use of traditional and complementary healthcare. This process is crucial in promoting shared decision-making between primary care practitioners and parents and could inform service provision, delivery and policy.

Developing and testing a conceptual decision-making model on CAM use for children in a multi-ethnic community

Why parents choose CAM is a complex process reflecting diversity of cultures and health beliefs. Explanatory models of decision-making in CAM for children are limited. A multi-ethnic paediatric outpatient questionnaire survey in NW London identified that 36% of parents were using CAM for their children. Traditional medicines and home remedies were popular. Following on from the survey, focus groups with 100 parents from over 20 different countries were carried out. These explored the predisposing, enabling and need factors and influence of healthcare experience on CAM use for children. Themes were identified using Framework Analysis and Atlas.ti software. Traditional home remedies including herbs, spices, foods, prayer and rituals were used by the majority of parents and often used as a first choice of treatment. Many of these treatments were perceived as natural and safe, related to ethnicity and bought from ethnic grocers or brought from their home country. Family knowledge and history of use were predictors of CAM use and discussion of CAM use with doctors was rare. The use of focus groups allowed exploration of cultural beliefs and norms and identified factors influencing parental choice of CAM which could be used to inform the development of a conceptual model. The Andersen Behavioural Model, which has previously been adapted for CAM use, may provide an appropriate framework to conceptualise CAM decision-making for children. Data from the focus group analysis were used to develop and adapt this behavioural model for children, whilst reflecting the influence of diverse cultural backgrounds. This adapted model is currently being empirically tested using a survey instrument within primary care. This will validate the model for wider use and may provide an opportunity to develop a consistent methodological approach for CAM decision-making. Understanding this process is crucial in promoting shared decision-making between primary care practitioners and parents and could help to inform service provision, delivery and policy. We are grateful to the King's Fund for financial support.

Using Focus Groups to Develop a Culturally Competent Diabetes Self-management Program for Mexican Americans

The purpose of this study was to describe factors that facilitate or hinder diabetes self-management and elicit participants' preferences and recommendations about the essential components of a culturally competent diabetes self-management program. Latino patients with type 2 diabetes and their family caregivers were interviewed in focus groups. Four focus groups consisted of patients, and 2 groups consisted of family caregivers for a total of 40 participants. Participants were assigned to groups based on break characteristics of gender and preferred language. "Being in the dark" emerged as an important concern, and patient respondents wanted timely access to information that they deemed understandable about how to manage their diabetes. Family members' support and understanding were crucial in maintaining lifestyle changes. Patient and family caregiver participants wanted a self-management program to incorporate information on how to modify traditional foods, home remedies, and stress management. Preferences for information delivery included group didactic and interactive sessions, written information, and videotapes. Higher technology strategies using computers were not seen as useful. Culturally competent diabetes self-management for Latinos should incorporate the family and include techniques for stress management as well as diet modification. Information delivery should include a variety of techniques.

Vietnamese diabetic patients and their physicians: what ethnography can teach us.

To describe the cultural context of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Vietnamese immigrants in the United States, including people's ideas about cause and proper treatment; and to suggest ways in which better control of the disease can be achieved in this population. The method was ethnographic. A native speaker used a structured interview guide to talk with 38 Vietnamese patients, and family members of 2 other patients, being treated for type 2 diabetes. In addition, 8 Vietnamese health providers--5 physicians, 2 nurses, and an herbalist--were interviewed. A low-income area of southern California populated by a large number of Vietnamese. Forty patients being treated for type 2 diabetes and 8 health practitioners. Three quarters of the patients had not achieved good control of their diabetes. Ideas about the cause and proper treatment of the disease were culturally shaped. Many patients used eastern (herbal) medicine and described a strong aversion to insulin injections. Patients stopped taking their oral medications when using eastern medicine, and a quarter lowered their dose whenever they felt "out of balance." Almost two thirds had used traditional home remedies for diabetes. Two had received nonstandard medical care from neighborhood physicians trained in Viet Nam; 1 of these patients died during the study. The Vietnamese community and physicians serving that community need culturally appropriate education about type 2 diabetes and modern therapy for the disease.

Generational Change, Folk Medicine, and Medical Self-Care in a Rural Appalachian Community

This paper reports on a study of the potential impact of folk medicine on health care delivery in a rural community in southwestern Virginia. The intent of the investigation was to examine some commonly held stereotypical notions within and outside the medical community about rural Appalachians and medical self-care. Interviews were completed with 102 respondents aged 60 and over who were asked what they would do today and what their parents did when they were growing up to treat 65 symptoms of illness. Responses were grouped into 11 treatment categories, including botanical, non-processed natural substances, foods, home articles, proprietary medicines, other commercial medicines, magico-religious, and formal medical care and then analyzed in terms of generational change. Our findings indicate that dependence on folk medicine has declined considerably from one generation to the next, particularly with regard to the application of traditional home remedies and magico-religious beliefs and practices. Contra...

Illness behaviour in Sri Lanka: Results of a survey in two Sinhalese communities

Although cosmopolitan medicine plays an increasingly important role in developing countries, people still use indigenous medicines. A 1983 survey in two Sinhalese communities in Sri Lanka investigated the patients' use of cosmopolitan or traditional treatments for various illnesses. It appears that for acute complaints, or when a child seems seriously ill, people use cosmopolitan medicine. For common ailments which are known to be self-limiting, people use traditional home remedies and consult Ayurvedic practitioners. In chronic complaints some patients use cosmopolitan medicine, while others prefer the Ayurvedic system or use both kinds of medicine. For a ‘snakebite’ or a ‘fracture’ people prefer the local specialists and for mental illnesses they consult the adura and Buddhist clerguy; as a last resort they turn to the cosmopolitan facility. Ayurvedic medicine does not play a role of any importance in the treatment of mental disease. The aduras in the rural areas and the Buddhist monks and priests in the more urban areas have a clear function in the management of mental disease. Institutionally trained Ayurvedic practitioners have a less clear function, since they often dispense cosmopolitan medicines.