Nur 502 Theoretical Foundations For Nursing Roles And Practice

Grand Canyon University
College of Nursing
NUR 502 – Theoretical Foundations for Nursing Roles and Practice

Professional Communication Cultural Sensitivity Guide

Maintain the Mexican Culture
Mexicans travel to the United States every day to work, make a better life, and earn money to send home to their families. However when they assimilate to the American culture and let go of some of their own practices their health deteriorates. Research has shown that if the migrant workers stay in low-income areas and remain undocumented then they can maintain good health. Anna Waldstein documented her findings in a journal article entitled Diaspora and Health? Traditional Medicine and Culture in a Mexican Migrant Community in 2008. “As members of
So many migrants come to America with the intention to work and return to their country and family, but when they start working and acculturating many of them choose to stay. Waldstein explains that Mexican women are well-educated as part of their up-bringing, about the natural medicines. The native plants are used for all purposes of health. The two most popular medicinal plants are chamomile and peppermint. Not only the indigenous plants, but the whole foods that the Mexican woman prepare are fresh and have more protein, vitamin A, C, folic acid, and calcium than what the American born Mexican women and the women of European descent prepare. Waldstein explains that this is because Mexican women’s definition of a good diet includes fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water. The women pointed out that mindful eating is important, only eating what the body needs, and eating outside of the home, “especially in the street” leads to poor habits and
Waldstein learned that Mexican families expect the women to learn about the medicine and how to use them. The fresh herbs are preferred over the dry herbs that are purchased in the stores in America, but the plants don’t grow well in the America due to the weather changes. A most popular herb is chamomile to be used as a tea infusion. This is useful for gastro-intestinal problems because it has anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. The women shared 42 different herbal remedies during the interviews. Two popular over-the-counter products the women used were Tylenol for headaches and Vick’s Vapor Rub for congestion. The most common prescription medications include anti-fungals, high blood pressure, diabetes, and antibiotic