Indigenous Health: Traditional and Contemporary Perspectives Report

This report examines the traditional and contemporary healthcare perspectives of Indigenous Australians, focusing on the historical and current practices within the community. It highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between mind, body, emotions, family, and community for overall well-being. The report delves into traditional practices, such as the use of herbal remedies like Eucalyptus gum for various health issues, including respiratory illnesses and as an antiseptic. It also discusses how knowledge of these practices is passed down through generations. Furthermore, the report acknowledges the contemporary healthcare landscape, including government policies aimed at reducing discrimination and providing accessible healthcare services to improve the health outcomes of Indigenous Australians. The references include relevant books and journals that support the information and findings presented in the report.

Indigenous Health
Perspectives

Table of Contents
Discuss traditional and contemporary Indigenous healthcare knowledges and practices...............3
References........................................................................................................................................4

Discuss traditional and contemporary Indigenous healthcare knowledges and
practices.
The people known as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders of Australia who descended from
groups existing Australia and surrounded islands before British colonisation. These individuals
are also called as indigenous Australians facing discrimination in country which impacts
negatively on their health conditions. However, the maintenance of their health is all about to
focus on balancing their mind, body, emotions, family and community in order to make sure
entire wellness of them (Meiklejohn and et. al., 2016). Moreover, it is necessary to maintain
proper connectedness from their spiritual, ancestral and cultural origins to improve their physical
& emotional condition.
Traditionally, previous tribal healers prefer to provide information about beneficial plants in
increase health condition of this community. It consist the criterion of making indigenous
Australians aware about botanical and herbal remedies including Eucalyptus gum for prevention
and solving various health problems to become well being (Reading and Greenwood, 2018).
Eucalyptus gum is favourable in several health problems such as maintain sugar levels in
diabetic condition and solve respiratory illness including coughs, colds, sore throat, asthma &
congestion. Eucalyptus oil is used as antiseptics, dental purpose and treating fevers to make a
person well being. It can also utilised as an ointment for treating minor pains and aches to gain
relief. It is beneficial as an antiseptic towards burns, cuts & insect bites and muscle & joint pains,
stress reliever, bug repellent and parasite deterrent. Some of household uses of eucalyptus gum
consist soaps & cleanser, spot & stain remover, carpet cleaner, doing laundry and garden spray.
Meanwhile, it includes to pass this knowledge from one generation to the next so that they can
get benefits from their land to eat healthy and use plants as medicines to remain disease free that
helps to improve health condition of entire community of indigenous Australians.
In current situation, government has make several legal rules and regulations to facilitate equal
opportunities for this community to provide them better lives. It consist to reduce factor of
discrimination while seeking healthcare services which impacts positively on condition of
individuals of this community (Kapur and Subbarayappa, 2016). Government has provide free
medical facilities for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders of Australia to improve their overall
health situation.

References
Books and journals
Kapur, M. and Subbarayappa, B.V., 2016. Psychological perspectives on childcare in Indian
indigenous health systems. Springer India.
Meiklejohn, J.A. and et. al., 2016. Health professional's perspectives of the barriers and enablers
to cancer care for Indigenous Australians. European journal of cancer care. 25(2).
pp.254-261.
Reading, C. and Greenwood, M., 2018. Structural determinants of Aboriginal peoples’ health.
Determinants of Indigenous Peoples' Health: Beyond the Social. 1.