Local Wisdom in Health: Integrations to Learning Management in Caring for Postpartum Mothers

Abstract

Local wisdom concerning health is a body of knowledge through learning, accumulating experiences, and inheriting from ancestors used in solving problems or promoting health based on to the way of life and culture in each local area appropriately. Owing to such importance, the Faculty of Nursing, Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University. Therefore, the body of knowledge on the application of local wisdom concerning health has been integrated into learning management for promoting learners to gain knowledge, understanding, and skills in applying local health knowledge to improve postpartum mothers' health care. The local wisdom concerning health integrated into the learning management included consuming healthy food, lying near the fire after childbirth, taking a warm bath with herbs, drinking warm water with herbs, herbal steam, Tub Moh Kleua, herbal massage, herbal charcoal sitting, Thai style relaxation, exercise, etc. This is considered an inclusive combination of health care that covers both physical and mental cares with family participation and modern medical therapy. Therefore, integrated learning management of local wisdom concerning health is considered an activity that promotes learners to gain knowledge and skills in proper care for postpartum mothers in accordance with the culture in each local area. This also creates collaboration in the preservation and inheritance of local wisdom concerning health to the next generation in Thai society from fading away due to the social dynamic context.