Q'Eqchi' Maya Reproductive Ethnomedicine

By Jillian De Gezelle

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction

Ethnobotany and EthnomedicinePurpose and Scope of ResearchResearch QuestionsHypothesesBackgroundNatural and Cultural History of Study SiteTraditional Medicine in BelizeBelizean "Bush Medicine"Traditional Healing in the Belizean Q'eqchi' CommunityBelize Indigenous Training InstituteMaya SpiritualityCulture-Bound Illnesses in BelizeHot-Cold Duality in Maya MedicineMaya DiagnosticsTraditional Q'eqchi' Healing ModalitiesMedicinal Plant Harvest and UseConclusions

2. Traditional Q'eqchi' Maya Reproductive Ethnomedicine

MethodologyStudy Site and TimelineResearch EthicsInterviewsPlant Collection and IdentificationResults and DiscussionDisorders of the WombMenstruationFertility, Infertility and Fertility RegulationConception and PregnancyBirth and the Postpartum PeriodBreastfeeding and WeaningMenopauseMen's Reproductive HealthInfant HealthCulturally Specific Infant ConditionsConclusions

3. Use of Phytoestrogens in Q'eqchi' Maya Ethnomedicine

Traditional Maya MedicineEthnomedically Directed Bioactivity InvestigationPhytoestrogens and Their Therapeutic ImportanceHormone Replacement Therapy and the Women's Health InitiativeQ'eqchi' Maya Reproductive EthnomedicineMethodologyBelize Indigenous Training InstituteEthnobotanical ResearchSpecies Selection and Plant CollectionMemorandum of Agreement for Laboratory ResearchMedicinal Plant ExtractionUIC/NIH Center for Botanical Dietary Supplements ResearchBioassay MaterialsCell CultureTransient Transfections and Reporter Gene AssaysCell Proliferation AssayResults and DiscussionCytotoxicity ResultsEstrogenic and Antiestrogenic ActivitiesFabaceae: MimosoideaeGesneriaceaeMelastomataceaePiperaceaeRhamnaceaeRubiaceaeConclusion

4. Q'eqchi' Women's Lives, Health Care and Cultural Loss

Q'eqchi' Maya Women's Lives in BelizeAccess and Choices in Reproductive Health CareWomen's Healing TraditionsMethodologyResearch ObjectivesInterviews with Q'eqchi' WomenInterviews with Midwives, Herbalists and HealersResultsQ'eqchi' Women of a Toledo VillageQ'eqchi' Women's Health PerspectivesQ'eqchi' Choices and Perceptions of Pregnancy and BirthQ'eqchi' Women's TraditionsGender Differences in Healing and Plant UseQ'eqchi' Midwives and Healers in BelizeLoss of Female Healers in the Belizean Q'eqchi CommunityQ'eqchi' MigrationConclusion

5. Conclusions

Q'eqchi' Reproductive EthnomedicineEstrogenic Plant Use in Q'eqchi' Reproductive EthnomedicineQ'eqchi' Women's Healing Traditions in Belize

Appendix I. Interview Questions

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3319107437
• ISBN13: 9783319107431
• Release Date: December 2014
• Publisher: Springer
• Length: 125 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 9.2"