The treatment of infertility using ethnomedical practices in northern Jordan: A medical anthropological study
Australian Journal of Herbal MedicineVolume 27 Issue 1 (2015)
Abstract: This
medical anthropological study aims to analyse and document some of the
ethnomedical practices related to both the diagnosis and treatment of
infertility in northern Jordan. Several folk healers were interviewed to
collect ethnographic data regarding the use of medicinal plants and
rituals in the cure of partial or complete infertility. We have selected
three case studies based on our belief that they represent a variety of
practitioners, techniques, and clients. When asked about the
socioeconomic status of their clients, most of the interviewed healers
pointed out that a large segment of the people who sought their health
services were from rural areas. The study deploys an anthropological
approach in gathering and analysing data. In-depth interviews with
healers of both sexes were conducted in various villages in northern
Jordan. Furthermore, videotaping and camera photographing were used to
document the different steps of various treatment procedures, including
the preparation of the medicinal plants. As shown by our study, some
folk healers refer to both ethnomedicine and biomedicine simultaneously.
This demonstrates that both medical systems co-exist in the same socio-
cultural context.
To cite this article: Abu Dalou,
Ahmad Y; Alshboul, Ayman; Na'amneh, Mahmoud; Sekhaneh, Wassef A and
Alrousan, Mohammad. The treatment of infertility using ethnomedical
practices in northern Jordan: A medical anthropological study [online].
Australian Journal of Herbal Medicine, Vol. 27, No. 1, 2015: 3-8.
Availability:
<http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=980010939465233;res=IELHEA>
ISSN: 2200-3886.
[cited 22 Apr 15].
Personal Author:
Abu Dalou, Ahmad Y; Alshboul, Ayman; Na'amneh, Mahmoud; Sekhaneh, Wassef A; Alrousan, Mohammad;
Source: Australian Journal of Herbal Medicine, Vol. 27, No. 1, 2015: 3-8
Document Type: Journal Article
ISSN: 2200-3886
Subject:
Materia medica, Vegetable; Medical anthropology--Methodology; Infertility--Treatment;
Peer Reviewed:
Yes
Affiliation:
(1) Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan(2) Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
(3) Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
(4) Department of Conservation and Management of Cultural Resources, Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
(5) Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
