Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

Abstract

This project was born from 5 years of deeply moving transcultural learning experiences. As I walked with cultural guides from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, energy workers of the Celtic tradition in England, traditional folk healers in Mexico, healers of the US southwest, Alaska natives, and Italian mountain people, stories unfolded which showed a universal commonality; a connection to the land and the use of herbs for health and healing. Across the globe, herbal remedies are used by people of all cultures for health and healing throughout the lifespan. Within many cultures, knowledge of herbs is a source of pride and identity, as a part of cultural tradition passed down through generations. As nurses become more aware of the use of herbal healing across cultures and the meaning of these practices to individuals and communities, new perspectives and deeper insights evolve that will allow the nurse to provide more meaningful and relevant care. The purpose of this project is to explore the transcultural use of herbs and the meaning of those practices. A conceptual framework is presented that expresses three o'ways of knowing" transcultural herbal healing: (1) Analytic knowing: formal teaching and learning, body system healing, (2) Local knowing: storytelling and folk wisdom, community and family healing, and (3) Inner knowing: experiential transformation, whole healing.

Identifier

SC 11.DNP.2011.McHale.KM

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