Along with sustainable practices in food and energy, this
community is looking to the world of plants in healing as well. In attempt to
bring back the knowledge of natural healing, women of Todogalpa are relearning
herbal remedies. Not only does this bring them closer to their medicine and the
natural world around them, but also limits their dependency on expensive health
care. It brings the resources within the community to its members, creating a
self-sustaining system instead of spending it on outside health.
Many rural communities depend on local herbs and
“Naturalistas” for healing due to lack of access to doctors and modern
medicine. “Muchos mujeres no pueden pagar por la medinina moderna y usan las
hierbas por todo” as explained to me in Spanish. This information is passed
from generation to generation but has been lost recently to bursts of “medical
assistance” where communities are given massive supplies of antibiotics.
Natural remedies are then discredited due to lack of research (thanks to
pharmaceutical companies) and antibiotics become the “all-healing” drug.
CELL student Willow Beier with Dona Alejandra
But communities are finding the value of plants as doctors
turn away “fatal” conditions and people resort to older remedies. Many of these
include common “weeds” such as plantain leaf and culinary herbs like rosemary
and oregano. A large variety of fruit is also used, including lemon and papaya,
which are incorporated into daily diets. Many of these can be taken in large
doses over a long period of time, whereas some, like Mugwort (Artemesia) are
powerful in small doses. Some are common knowledge passed down but it can take
years of practice and study to become a professional.
Small groups of women here are beginning to join and uncover
the vast world of plant healing. With small steps like these, they are walking
towards a healthier, more sustainable community.
Willow Beier
No comments:
Post a Comment