Page 22 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 14
P. 22

Wholeness




                                             Tea Tree Oil: This oil has antibac-  If the young girl I mentioned earlier
                                             terial, antiviral, antiviral, antiseptic   had not been found on time, and
                                             and anti-inflammatory properties   had not been found by someone
                                             and can be used as a natural oint-  with a compassionate heart, both
                                             ment. It kills germs and promotes   she and her baby would be dead
                                             the growth of white blood cells.   by now; more casualties in a battle
                                                                                that needs more than lip service and
                                             Oregano Leaf  Oil: drinking this   photo opportunities to deal with. A
                                             oil is said to boost immunity and kill   battle that can so easily be won, as
                                             bacteria around the anus, reducing   keeps being mentioned when one
                                             swelling and preventing bleeding   reads up on the subject, by provid-
                                             particularly for anal fistula.     ing the right care to these women
                                                                                and girls to ensure their health and
                                             Turmeric Milk: turmeric has anti-  safety before, during and after giving
                                             bacterial and antiviral agents and it   birth. Obstetric fistula should not
                                             helps boost the immune system and   be an issue that is relegated to the
                                             is said, by the site, to be the best for   realm of the annual monthly cam-
                                             management of fistula symptoms.    paign, no medical condition should.
                                                                                It should be an everyday priority for
                                             *Absorption of curcumin in tur-    affected communities to constantly
                                             meric is said to be facilitated by the   be searching out the correct solu-
                                             addition of a little black pepper   tions for.
          source described the best prevention   alongside. Please do your research to
          as using the same tools and steps   find how best to use these powerful   So, I have presented to you the facts
          that one would use to maintain a   natural remedies for relief from the   and information that I was able
          healthy pregnancy. It is also recom-  effects of fistula. Remember that   to unearth about obstetric fistula,
          mended that the pregnant woman     these remedies do not seal the hole,   but I have to be honest, even as
          watch her diet to ensure that her   but help manage infections and    I was doing the research around
          baby is the correct weight and size,   pain.                          this condition, I felt like a lot was
          thereby ensuring that obstruction                                     missing. I still do. And, as I often do
          during labor is not caused due to the   Obstetric fistula affects women all   with conditions that do not appear
          size of the child.                 around the world and it is a horren-  to me to have a cause that leaves me
                                             dous condition to have to deal with   feeling satisfied that I have most of
          Another online source, Apollo Spec-  as a woman and for a family to face,   the answers, or where the informa-
          tra Hospital, says that fistula symp-  particularly in countries where finan-  tion around them is – again to me
          toms can be managed using natural   cial and other resources to manage   – seeming to be either inadequate,
          means such as:                     the condition may be lacking or    vague or inadequately covered by
          Ginger Tea: Its immune-boosting    where governments have cast those   those who claim to be concerned
          and mood-elevating properties are   in need aside, not dealing with the   about resolving it, or where the doc-
          beneficial in fistula management.   condition as urgent or critical. It is   tors follow a protocol but seem to
          Ginger soothes the digestion and   a tough situation for communities   have nothing to offer as proof posi-
          provides relief from pain, nausea   and families that don’t have the US$   tive of the origin beyond a tentative
          and constipation.                  750 or US$5,000 per surgery to     ‘it could be’ or a fancy sounding
                                             help their mothers and daughters.   name for the condition that is more
          Cloves: Cloves have anti-bacterial   Much like the issue of menstrual   general and descriptive about the
          and antiviral agents; they boost the   health and the lack of affordable,   condition than it is an answer. You
          immune system and cleanse the co-  safe, sanitary towels for women and   know, things like Folliculitis, Autism,
          lon naturally. They also prevent the   girls who need these items monthly,   Eczema, Asthma, Cancer, Endome-
          occurrence of parasitic infections   fistulas are an indicator of the level   triosis or PCOS or Menstrual Health
          in the body. In this instance the site   of government care and interest in   ‘problems’… Or where doctors get
          recommends that cloves be used as   the condition of their communities’   defensive and tell you that they are
          a drink.                           well-being.                        the experts – or shrink back just as
                                                                                defensively and say this is what they



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