Varga C A, Veale D J
Department of Social Anthropology, University of Natal-Durban, South Africa.
Soc Sci Med. 1997 Apr;44(7):911-24. doi: 10.1016/s0277-9536(96)00104-9.
Isihlambezo is a herbal decoction used by many Zulu women in South Africa as a preventative health tonic during pregnancy. Though the practice is cited by ethnographers and medical practitioners, few studies have focused on specific elements of isihlambezo use and preparation. Moreover, though some evidence exists suggesting negative effects of its ingestion, the maternal-fetal health impact and toxicity of isihlambezo have not been adequately studied. We examined two aspects of this traditional antenatal health practice: (1) the potential impact of urbanization and access to Western clinic-based care on popularity and utilization patterns of isihlambezo, and (2) the potential maternal-fetal health effects of its use. Interviews were conducted among rural and urban women in clinic and non-clinic settings regarding socio-behavioral aspects of isihlambezo use. The pharmacology of certain plant ingredients of isihlambezo was investigated through laboratory assays, literature review, and interviews with traditional healers. There were significant differences by area of interview in nearly all aspects of isihlambezo use examined. Though isihlambezo was most popular among urbanites and clinic non-attenders, it was considered an important antenatal health care alternative by the majority of women surveyed. Mixing traditional and clinic-based antenatal care was also strongly advocated. Pharmacological analysis suggested the possibility of both therapeutic and harmful consequences of isihlambezo. It was suggested that the following factors might contribute the popularity of isihlambezo among urban women: high cost and inferior quality of clinic care, use of isihlambezo as a means of adapting to urbanization-related stress, and socio-cultural transition.
伊西拉姆贝佐（Isihlambezo）是南非许多祖鲁族女性在孕期用作预防性滋补品的草药汤剂。尽管人种志学者和医学从业者都提到过这种做法，但很少有研究聚焦于伊西拉姆贝佐的使用和制备的具体要素。此外，虽然有一些证据表明摄入伊西拉姆贝佐有负面影响，但其对母婴健康的影响和毒性尚未得到充分研究。我们研究了这种传统产前保健做法的两个方面：（1）城市化以及获得基于西方诊所的护理对伊西拉姆贝佐的普及程度和使用模式的潜在影响，以及（2）使用伊西拉姆贝佐对母婴健康的潜在影响。我们在诊所和非诊所环境中对农村和城市女性进行了访谈，了解她们使用伊西拉姆贝佐的社会行为方面的情况。通过实验室分析、文献综述以及与传统治疗师的访谈，对伊西拉姆贝佐某些植物成分的药理学进行了研究。在所研究的伊西拉姆贝佐使用的几乎所有方面，访谈地区之间都存在显著差异。尽管伊西拉姆贝佐在城市居民和未就诊者中最受欢迎，但大多数接受调查的女性认为它是一种重要的产前保健替代方法。同时也强烈提倡将传统产前护理和基于诊所的产前护理相结合。药理学分析表明伊西拉姆贝佐既有治疗作用也有有害后果的可能性。有人认为以下因素可能导致伊西拉姆贝佐在城市女性中受欢迎：诊所护理成本高且质量差、将伊西拉姆贝佐用作适应城市化相关压力的一种方式以及社会文化转型。
