Taxonomy for Hmong Perinatal Herbs

Herbal Medicine Research and Taxonomy for Hmong Perinatal Herbs, With A Focus On The 30 Day Postpartum Chicken Herb Soup Diet

by Hannah Grosse

Broader Context

This internship, while by title may have been a taxonomy internship position, served a broader public health purpose of increasing access and knowledge to culturally appropriate care. This project focused on Hmong postpartum care, but the implications apply to healthcare as a whole. At the end of our internship, we learned that the herbs grown by May Lee and her daughter Zongxee, were being bought and used by Regions Hospital. The hospital used the herbs in a chicken herb soup, the diet that is followed by Hmong people 30 days following birth. By offering this resource, the hospital provides a way to support culturally appropriate postpartum care. However, it was not clear if they used a specific recipe, and how the soup was requested.

When there are differences in culture between health care services and those receiving these services, the success and use of offered services and care is reduced. In order to mitigate the reduced success and use of healthcare services, it is crucial to implement culturally appropriate healthcare. One of the best strategies to do so is partnering with the local community to identify different cultural practices and the best way to support and implement these practices. It is also important to understand what is not working well for the community.

Program and Internship Overview

This internship began a bit loose. There was no prior program in place, no timeline, nor an end goal or project in mind. Instead, myself and my partner worked together through the University of Minnesota Extension program with Hmong farmers. The Minnesota Extension program aims to extend the resources available to the University of Minnesota into the broader community, including education and training.

Our primary goal and focus for the internship was to provide work and service in any way needed, with a tentative focus of taxonomy for their herbs. Upon meeting May Lee and Zongxee, a mother and daughter, we learned that most of the herbs grown on their farm served the purpose of aiding in perinatal, but mostly postpartum care. Their farm is at Big River Farms, an organization aimed at increasing access to food, and culturally connected foods. At the time we began our internship, Zongxee had already made a book with pictures, naming some of the primary herbs used in postpartum, including scientific names, their functions, and how they are used. We set out to help in the preservation of the knowledge and use of the herbs.

This image displays Tshab Xyoob, Hmong Fern, along with another Hmong name for the herb, on a white sheet of paper. In the background is the book, and another herb.

Daily Tasks and Some Challenges

When we first met with Zongxee and May Lee, we learned about the book on the postpartum chicken herb soup diet. This diet is followed by Hmong people for 30 days following birth. The diet consists strictly of chicken herb soup. The herbs used in the soup are detailed in the book with their Hmong name, common name, and scientific name. The purpose and functions of each herb are listed, including how to use it, the quantity, and when it's appropriate to use. However, we quickly learned that Zongxee was not certain of the common names and scientific identification she listed in the book. We began by focusing on a select number of herbs that they identified as most important and useful. We took pictures, recorded the names they call the plants by, and set off to research and do preliminary identification. This was how most of our time over the summer was spent, researching the herbs we photographed and Hmong herbology in general.

Zongxee's hand holds open the book, displaying some of its pages, as well as a note on one of the herbs, Suv Ntsim.

Our day-to-day research was met with many challenges, one being translation where there is a wide range of spellings for words, making it difficult to search for, and research, our targeted herbs. This was also in part due to the different Hmong dialects that come with different spelling and identification for various words. Apart from some of these research-related challenges, due to this being the first of this internship, there were points throughout the summer where it was unclear what came next. During this time my partner did research and learning of the Hmong language, as I researched the different cultural practices and traditions surrounding birth and perinatal care.

During some of these waiting times and lulls, we made organizational tables of our research, and visited the Hmong Museum in St. Paul doing additional herbal research there. We also emailed Regions Hospital, where we intended to meet and discuss herbal use in the hospital, however communication was not consistent, and we were informed that they offered a chicken herb soup diet. It was unclear what recipe they use, and how the soup is offered, or made accessible. We also brought samples of the herbs to the University of Minnesota to be run through PCR for genetic testing and scientific identification. The timing of this research went past the end of summer, and our stipend internship hours. While this research was not finished by Anna and myself, the extension program at the UofM intends to continue this research work with May Lee and Zongxee. I learned a lot about both community-centered work, and the research process as a whole––that neither of the two are straightforward with one right answer, making the work both challenging, yet inviting for new methods and continuous work.

Impact

The Community in Global Health concentration, as well as this internship opportunity really sparked my interest in culturally appropriate healthcare, and perinatal care. As a white person, I am privileged to always receive culturally appropriate care and have the most opportunities and success within health care services. While I have no set future plans or intentions at this time, I do hope that community as a whole remains at the forefront of my potential continued education, or career and work.

This image was taken at Big River Farms, and features May Lee's hand, tending to her plant. The Hmong name is listed in this photo. However, there is no common name listed, nor an alternative name.

References

Jones, E., Lattof, S. R., & Coast, E. (2017). Interventions to provide culturally-appropriate maternity care services: factors affecting implementation. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 17(1), 267. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-017-1449-7

Hannah Grosse

Hi! My name is Hannah Grosse, she/her. I grew up in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. In addition to being a Biology major, I am also completing a concentration in Community and Global Health. At Macalester, I am a part of the Track & Field team, with my main event being pole vault. When not in school, I enjoy spending time outside, reading, and being with loved ones. As I was unable to study abroad, I hope to be able to go abroad some time after graduation. There is still much uncertainty in travel, and with no set plans, I am excited to see where life takes me.

Image Credits:

All Images used were taken by myself, while visiting May Lee and Zongxee's farm at Big River Farms.

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