Bio
Lyani Powers has studied clinical herbalism and ethnobotany since she was a child. Starting under the skirts of both grandmothers by watching how they farmed and used plants to create remedies. Lyani grew up listening to her elders speak of what plant works for what ailment and how to treat and soothe others aches and pains. When Lyani was diagnosed with MS, she was motivated to learn more about additional avenues of healing for myself and others. Though her personal journey to health, Lyani met inspiring and remarkably intelligent healers including nutritionists, naturopaths, and medical physicians. What she learned was invaluable, so much so, she wanted to learn even more. Lyani dove headfirst into numerous courses, curriculums, and apprenticeships. She completed her studies in Clinical Herbalism, where she studied under Arbor Vitae School in New York founder, Richard Mandelbaum. After that program, she completed the Rosemary Gladstar Herbal Education Program. She went on to complete additional certifications in Pregnancy, Postpartum and Nutrition through Glow Maven and Divine Birth Wisdom. Her Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula Certification is from The Newborn Collective. She is also a CLC, Certified Lactation Consultant. The process of learning never stops for Lyani as she continues to explore the endless depths of wellness through nutrition and holistic care.
Abstract
This paper argues that integrating traditional knowledge practices into postpartum care can benefit all birthing people and the healthcare system. The current state of maternal health presents several concerning issues including hazardous racial disparities, morbidity, and mortality. These challenges become even more complex due to insufficient maternity leave policies and societal expectations about post-baby body standards. Consequently, there is an increase in postpartum mood disorders and mortality rates, especially among minority women who already contend with the enduring impacts of socioeconomic inequality and racism. The call to action is to prioritize health and wellbeing through a more culturally sensitive and holistic approach that harkens back to traditional practices. The term “traditional practices” in this context refers to long-standing methods and customs that traditional birth workers and maternal caregivers have transmitted through generations over centuries. These practices have been an integral part of various cultures for millennia, contributing significantly to maternal and infant well-being. By demonstrating the benefits of select postpartum practices with a focus on their holistic approach, this paper shows that incorporating traditional practices improves postpartum health outcomes. The specific cultures and regions where these practices exist exhibit considerable diversity, encompassing Indigenous cultures, Asian cultures, African cultures, and many more. The primary goal is to emphasize the importance of prioritizing maternal health and well-being within a culturally sensitive and holistic framework.
The paper assesses how the modern Western medical system, while integrating specific aspects of these practices, can simultaneously devalue them under the influence of racial ideologies or negative stereotypes. It also emphasizes the importance of actively recognizing and integrating traditional knowledge into the dominant Western medical paradigm through the collaboration of healthcare providers and indigenous communities. This collaboration is essential in shaping a healthcare system that is both more inclusive and more effective, ultimately dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of all women. Reviving both culturally inherited traditional practices passed down through generations within various communities and indigenous practices deeply rooted in the ancestral wisdom of native peoples constitutes a revolutionary action. This action challenges the prevailing Western medical paradigm and simultaneously advocates for health equity and justice for all.
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