The Aboriginal women helping to keep traditional bush medicine alive in Australia

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Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. balm / bɑm / (n.) – an oily substance that has a nice smell and is used to heal, calm, protect the skin, or reduce pain
    Example:

    This balm is gentle on the skin, so it is great for those with dry skin.


  2. therapeutic / ˌθɛr əˈpyu tɪk / (adj.) – having a healing effect on one’s body or mind
    Example:

    Walking at the park or going to the beach can be therapeutic.


  3. indigenous / ɪnˈdɪdʒ ə nəs / (adj.) – existing naturally or having always existed in a location
    Example:

    Indigenous communities protect and preserve their traditions and culture against the influence of tourists.


  4. ailment / ˈeɪl mənt / (n.) – a sickness or illness
    Example:

    She drinks herbal teas for different kinds of minor ailments like headaches and colds.


  5. complement / ˈkɒm pləˌmɛnt / (v.) – to make something else better by adding something to it
    Example:

    The guitarist’s skills perfectly complement the singer’s voice in the band.


Article

Read the text below.

A group of young Aboriginal women is helping to keep traditional bush medicine alive in Australia. They hope their Bush Balm remedy will also be a reminder of home for kidney patients from their community undergoing dialysis in the city.


Using an ancient rock, Tamara Stewart is crushing leaves in her kitchen. She’s preparing a healing balm called “irmangka”—her late grandmother’s favorite bush medicine.


“I used to take bush medicine to my nana, every day after work. Then I lost her at the start of this year,” explains Bush Balm team leader Stewart, whose grandmother died of kidney failure.


Stewart describes her work as both therapeutic and symbolic.


Now, making bush medicine is a way for Stewart to honor her grandmother. “She was always proud of me and she wanted me to keep going forward in my life,” says Stewart.


Indigenous Australians have used their traditional knowledge and plants found in the bush for generations to treat ailments.


According to Stewart, the balm can be used to relieve sore joints and muscles, as well as cold and flu symptoms.


Stewart and two other Aboriginal women work for Bush Balm, a social enterprise that’s part of the not-for-profit organization Purple House which operates 22 dialysis clinics in remote Australia.


Patients have to stay in town while undergoing dialysis, and the bush balm provides Indigenous patients a reminder of home.


“It’s all of their first jobs and, yes, we have a lot of fun in here,” says Bush Balm manager Emma Collard.


The balm produced by the young women is sold online and in a local shop.


The resulting income is used to provide dialysis patients with free balm, to complement their Western medical treatment.


“So, it’s really grown a lot since we’ve had this amazing space. So, now we’re sending it everywhere, like, we send bush medicine to France, to America, to the UK, interstate, everywhere around Australia and to some really remote locations in the Top End. Yeah, everywhere,” says Collard.


Stewart is very proud of being able to continue her grandmother’s legacy and pass on traditional knowledge to others.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Many cultures have traditional treatments for common diseases. What traditional treatments are common in your country? Why do you think some people choose traditional treatments even if modern treatments are available? Discuss.
  • Do you believe that natural and traditional treatments can sometimes be more effective than modern medicine? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Stewart is very proud of being able to continue her grandmother’s legacy and pass on traditional knowledge to others. In your country, what traditional knowledge or skills are taught by the older generation to the younger generation? How did you feel when you were taught traditional knowledge and skills by your elders? Discuss.
  • Why is it important for the younger generations to learn traditional knowledge and skills, such as making traditional medicines, from their elders? How do you think the older generation can encourage the younger generation to learn them? Discuss.