Indigenous Peoples' Traditional Health Practices

Indigenous health practices are largely based on the belief of bio-psycho-socio-spiritual health. This means that health is holistically based on the body’s systems, mental health, social and spiritual wellbeing. “Health, for the individual Native American and/or the tribe or family, depends on proper actions and interactions with the spirit world. Well-being or wholeness comes about through walking in harmony with the forces of nature and the universe” (Advocate Health). If there is imbalance in one category, the rest will be impacted in some way as well. There are many differences in specific health practices and rituals within each Native American tribe, but there are some common themes present.

One example is the importance of a diet that consists of many different fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats. “‘This is a diet that connects us all to nature and to each other in the most direct and profound ways,’ Chef Sean Sherman, of the Oglala Lakota tribe, wrote in Bon Appetit” (Marcus) Engaging in lots of physical activity is another way that Native Americans interact with and appreciate nature. “Native Americans in Arizona run each day to greet the dawn, a practice that not only conditions their bodies but also nourishes their spiritual wellbeing.” (Koithan and Farrell) The pattern of integrating nature with physical wellbeing persists when it comes to sleep as well. Many indigenous people will wake at around dawn and then go to sleep around three hours after sunset. This habit reinforces the circadian rhythm present in our bodies and encourages healthy sleeping habits. Various herbs, plants, and natural substances are present in Native American treatments as well. While some of the recurrences discussed just scratch the surface of indigenous health practices, it is important to see the holistic ideology behind them.

References

Koithan, M., & Farrell, C. (2010, June 1). Indigenous Native American healing

traditions. The journal for nurse practitioners : JNP. Retrieved November 25,

2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2913884/.

Marcus, L. (2020, September 21). 5 indigenous health practices to practice

today. Goodnet. Retrieved November 25, 2021, from

https://www.goodnet.org/articles/5-indigenous-health-practices-to-

practice-today.

Native American - advocate health care. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2021,

from https://www.advocatehealth.com/assets/documents/faith/cg-

native_american.pdf.