A Study of Thai Traditional Medicine Knowledge for Postpartum Care of Folk Healers in Four Regions of Thailand
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Abstract
Introduction and objective: This qualitative study’s objective was to collect traditional knowledge of postpartum care by folk healers in four regions of Thailand.
Methods: An interview form was used to collect data from folk healers who specialized in traditional midwifery. The folk healers were selected from designated zones according to the culture of four regions; of all 18 selected folk healers/midwives, six were in the Northeast, four in the South, five in the North, and three in the Central Plains. They were all selected using purposive sampling from the list of registered indigenous healers.
Results: Of all the participants/folk healers, 10 (55.56%) were male while 8 (44.44%) were female; all were aged ≥60 years and completed an associate degree or lower, had more than 10 years of healing experiences and are currently treating postpartum women. All medicinal herbs used were formulary remedies. Of all healers, 88.89% inherited treatment knowledge from their ancestors. They did not have any system for history taking and physical examination, but focusing on asking about harmful foods and behaviors. The folk healers were divided into three groups: (1) the group focusing on herbal medicines to increase milk production; (2) the group focusing on treating postpartum symptoms and diseases; and (3) the group focusing on Thai postpartum herbal formulas and staying by a fire (Yu Fai). A total of 45 medicinal formulas were obtained, of which 10 for boosting breast-milk production, 21 for healing postpartum diseases/symptoms, and 14 for postpartum care during the Yu Fai period.
Discussion: Single herbs with a high use value commonly used by folk healers in the breastmilk production-boosting formulas are Caesalpinia sappan L., Anomianthus dulcis (Dunal) J.Sinclair, Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Xantolis cambodiana (Pierre ex Dubard) P.Royen, snd Mesua ferrea L. Such herbs have the effect of promoting breastmilk production via estrogenic effect activity and increasing prolactin hormone. Other single herbs for treating postpartum diseases with high use values include Zingiber cassumunar Roxb., Allium sativum L., Dioscorea birmanica Prain & Burkill, Smilax glabra Roxb., Croton oblongifolius Roxb., Curcuma longa L., and Curcuma comosa Roxb. The herbs promote the healing of postpartum diseases via anti-inflammatory mechanism by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase, antioxidant effect, cytotoxicity of cervical cancer cells, but are not toxic to normal cells. While single herbs used for Thai traditional caring after birth, Yu Fai, and as ingredients of Yu Fai remedies, including Zingiber cassumunar Roxb, Croton oblongifolius Roxb, Curcuma longa L., Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. and Curcuma aromatica Salisb., promote the mother's health via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.
Conclusion and recommendation: Medicinal herbs commonly used by folk healers are in line with scientific principles. Thus, further studies both in the laboratory and clinical trials should be undertaken to develop herbal medicines for postpartum care.
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