Millenia-old activities are making their return in health and wellness. As modern healthcare continues to evolve, interest is growing to integrate traditional, cultural, and Indigenous medical practices and dietary systems into the mainstream. This intersection of traditional and contemporary medicines and habits presents potential opportunities. However, we must be careful not to get too ahead of ourselves and carefully consider the ethical issues surrounding this intersection.
Indigenous communities, no matter their location, have consistently relied on traditional plant-based remedies and food sources that have roots deep within their beliefs [1]. These traditional systems are often holistic and focus on maintaining balance and harmony between the individual, community, and natural environment, for example traditional Chinese medicine. Similarly, the food practices of these communities emphasize their relationship with the land they inhabit— utilizing local, seasonal, and minimally processed ingredients [2].
In recent decades, there has been an increased scientific interest in exploring the health benefits of traditional herbal medicines and Indigenous foods, because they are natural and provide more healthy alternatives to modern drugs [3]. This interest is what has mainly fueled the desire to integrate these approaches into contemporary practices and guidelines. However, the appropriation and commercialization of this knowledge without the consent and participation of the communities it comes from raises significant ethical concerns [4].
One key dilemma is the issue surrounding intellectual property rights and fair distribution of the material benefits derived from traditional medicine and food systems. Indigenous communities possess large repositories of ecological knowledge and applications, which could be of great value to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food industries. But these communities have historically been exploited, with their resources being removed without proper recognition, compensation, or even partnerships [5]. This practice of “biopiracy”, or unauthorized use of biological resources and traditional knowledge, has worsened the trust between Indigenous populations and corporations and in turn marginalized Indigenous populations, who witness this exploitation with nothing in return.
In addition, the attempted integration of these medicines and foods into clinical care and health initiatives has to be approached with cultural sensitivity and respect for traditional beliefs and practices. Insensitive integration can result in the degradation of traditional knowledge, the disruption of community well-being, and further marginalization [6]. Further, ignorant use of these traditional herbal remedies in a clinical setting can pose a danger: a lack of understanding their cultural importance or potential side effects with conventional medicine undermines the efficacy and safety of the treatment.
By navigating the ethical issues that stem from integrating traditional medicine and foods with modern efforts, healthcare systems can be more inclusive and culturally responsive to health and wellness. One successful example of this approach is the development of the Traditional Medicine Program at the Waiwai Health Center in New Zealand. This program was a partnership of the local Māori community and the regional health authority, which allowed for the use of traditional Māori healing practices and native medicinal plants alongside conventional medical treatments [7].
With an increasingly globalized world, it becomes crucial to bridge the gap between traditional and modern medicine. By working through the ethical considerations surrounding this combination of Indigenous medicine and foods with current approaches, healthcare systems can become more holistic and equitable in their work.
Edited By: Anna Chen
References
[1] Shankar, D., Nanda, A., & Bhandari, K. K. (2020). The need for integration of traditional and modern medicine. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 11(1), 1-3.
[2] Kuhnlein, H. V., & Receveur, O. (1996). Dietary change and traditional food systems of indigenous peoples. Annual review of nutrition, 16(1), 417-442.
[3] Bodeker, G., & Burford, G. (2007). Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Policy and Public Health Perspectives. London, UK: Imperial College Press.
[4] Buchanan, A., & Keohane, R. O. (2006). The legitimacy of global governance institutions. Ethics & International Affairs, 20(4), 405-437.
[5] Reardon, J., & Cycon, D. (2019). Eradicating Biopiracy. Environmental Law, 49(4), 1-55.
[6] Lavallee, L. F., & Poole, J. M. (2010). Beyond recovery: Colonization, health and healing for Indigenous people in Canada. Qualitative health research, 20(5), 695-707.
[7] Durie, M. (1999). Mental health and Māori development. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 33(1), 5-12.
