Table 3.

Examples of ethno medicine / healing foods used by women during the perinatal period

Author	Region	Food substances	Effect
Adams [43]	Tibet	Butter ingested by newborn	In order for child to have a clear mind and well-developed senses
		Chang warm barley beer ingested by mothers
Ayiasi [34]	Uganda	Waragi local alcohol	Generally therapeutic, keeps infant’s skin clear
Farnes [38]	Ghana	Local herbs ingested by mothers	Prevents sunsumyare (spiritual sickness), promotes maternal, fetal health, prevents complications
Hadwiger [50]	Philippines	Ginger, carried	Protect unborn baby from aswang (evil spirits)
Lundberg [49]	Vietnam	Pig’s trotter with papaya or red bean and potato, meat and eggs	Enrich blood, help recovery, encourage expulsion of the lochia, stimulate lactation
Maimbola [41]	Zambia	Traditional medicine applied to vagina	Prepare and widen the birth canal in pregnant women
Ngomane [83]	S Africa	Mbita, Ritlangi, Mpundulo	Strengthen and preserve pregnancy Induction, management of labour and management of pain
		Mbheswana, roots of Xirhakarhani, boiled Dinda
Radoff [103]	Guatemala	Teas and baths from grasses and trees, cypress, pine, oak, pear, eucalyptus	Stimulate labour, reduce postpartum bleeding
Raven [48]	China	Ginger and wine	Enrich blood, help recovery, encourage expulsion of the lochia, stimulate lactation
		Meat and eggs
Sein [39]	Myanmar	Turmeric, ingested or applied on skin	Prevent muscle pain and to prevent newborn from abdominal pain
Thapa [52]	Nepal	Mustard oil, turmeric, eggs ingested	Regain energy post-partum, make womb strong, relieve pain
Theroux [58]	Ghana	Bitter leaf, dandelion, prekos, maringa, nim tree, and kontosi	Treat minor illness and maintain/improve pregnancy
		Fou-fou pounding	Prepare for labour
Wulandari [44]	Bali	Tamarind, turmeric, cinnamon, clove, coconut	Improve maternal and infant health
		Herbal medicines