Page 46 - IJPS-10-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Traditional practices of herbal medicine in Malawi

Table 3. Examples of herbal medicines mentioned in the study and their uses
Chichewa name English name Scientific name Part Function
Peyala Avocado Persea americana Leaves To treat anemia in pregnancy
Chidede Rose marrow Hibiscus Leaves To treat anemia in pregnancy
Mwanamphepo - Cissus/Vitaceae Roots To hasten labor
Mwanamphepo - Cissus/Vitaceae Roots To prevent cesarean section

starts and then proceed to the hospital you will not take 3.3.4. Market advertisement
time to deliver…” (Participant #6 FGD3) The participants also mentioned that there are a lot of
“As for me, I heard from other people, whom we were herbal medicines being sold in the local markets in their
chatting with, and just heard them saying that herbal areas. As a result, a few of them indicated that they first
medicine helps in facilitating labor so that one should heard about herbal medicine use from advertisements in
have a fast delivery…sure.so I heard from people who these markets by the medicine sellers.
came to chat at my home and not from relatives…”
(Participant # 1 FGD 1). “As for me, I see herbal medicine in different places, i.e.,
in markets….so I just see people selling these herbal
3.3.2. Parents or guardians medicines and advertise them to us…” (Participant #7
Some respondents indicated that they got the information FGD1).
about herbal medicine use from their parents or guardians,
including their grandparents who raised them. For 3.3.5. Radio
example, some participants said; Another woman cited radio as a source of information for
“Our parents just told us that when you are pregnant herbal medicine use among women in the area.
you should be taking herbal medicine from this tree…” “Aaah they also hear it from the radio…” (Participant
(Participant #6 FGD 1) #1 FGD3).
“As for me I was with my parents, my grandmother is
the one who informed me of herbal medicine use…” 4. Discussion
(Participant #5 FGD1)
“I heard from my mom…” (Participant #3 FGD1) This study explored sources of information and identified
reasons of using herbal medicine during pregnancy and
3.3.3. Traditional birth attendants childbirth in rural Lilongwe, Malawi. Influencing factors

As anticipated, some women heard about herbal medicine and sources of information are the two themes surrounding
use from traditional birth attendants in the villages. the narratives. (1) Influencing factors: (i) Previous obstetric
experiences (negative and positive), (ii) Quick relief from
“Aaah they [heard] from the traditional birth labor pains, (iii) Hastens delivery, (iv) Fear of abandonment
attendants…” (Participant #2 FGD3) by guardian during childbirth, and (v) Encouragements
“I heard from my mother’s friend, [who] is a traditional from friends (peers) and (2) Sources of Information for
birth attendant…” (Participant #3 FGD2) HM use: (i) Traditional Birth attendant (ii) Peers (friends,
Unexpectedly, some women indicated that they got women) (iii) Parents/Guardians (Mother, grandmother),
information about HM use from healthcare workers, such (iv) Radio, and (vi) Market advertisement.
as nurses, who advised them to use herbal medicine during Our findings revealed that some women use herbal
pregnancy. When probed further, these women said that, medicine during pregnancy and child birth because of their
during the antenatal care visit, nurses would advise them previous obstetric experiences, either positive or negative. For
to consume the concoction of boiled Avocado tree leaves example, when one has multiple consecutive miscarriages,
or boiled Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) juice to improve or unintended abortions or any bad obstetric experience,
blood levels when they become low. they become more compelled to use herbal medicine to
“When you go to the antenatal clinic and you are told prevent similar occurrences in the next pregnancies. They
that the blood is not enough in your body we are advised will continue using herbal medicine during pregnancy or
by the nurse to boil peyala (Avocado tree leaves) leaves in labor if the past experiences in using herbal medicine
and drink its concoctions…or you can boil Chikhada/ prove to be favorable. Another scenario was that when they
Chidede (Roselle) and then drink its concoctions…” have experienced a cesarean section or a difficult labor, they
(Participant #6 FGD3) will very likely choose to use herbal medicine in the next

Volume 10 Issue 3 (2024) 40 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.0296