BASICS

OF INTERPRETATION
LESSON 9

FOLK ILLNESSES AND REMEDIES
The primary role of the medical interpreter is to function as a language conduit who
translates information between providers and patients, but sometimes the interpreter is also
expected to act as a cultural clarifier in some cases. Therefore, the interpreter not only has to
possess the linguistic skills to make communication possible but also must have knowledge
and understanding of the patient’s cultural beliefs about illnesses and traditional healing
practices.

In many cultures around the world and within our communities, people have unusual
methods to identify, diagnose and treat illnesses. Although the physiological symptoms may
be real, their origins are frequently attributed to spiritual, mystical, or superstitious beliefs.

While many cultures share similar beliefs about illnesses and traditional treatments, the
following section reviews some of the most popular folk ailments and remedies that may be
misperceived by Western clinicians.

In the Hispanic Community

Bilis

Bilis is a condition caused by suppressed excessive anger or intense and prolonged emotional
upset. The name bilis derives from the word “bile,” which is a fluid produced by the liver. It is
believed bile spills into the bloodstream when anger is suppressed, causing dizziness,
migraines, dry mouth, anxiety, jaundice, and bitter taste in the mouth.

Caida de Mollera

La mollera (fontanel) is the soft spot on top of a baby’s head. It is believed that the fontanel
sinks into the skull when a baby is taken away from breastfeeding or from the bottle too soon.
Mollera caida can also occur when a baby is dropped or carried incorrectly; it can also be
attributed to someone giving the baby the evil eye. The symptoms associated with this
mollera caida (sunken fontanel) are crying, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, and sunken eyes.
The most common treatments for this condition are pushing the baby’s soft palate upwards
with a finger or holding the baby upside down from his ankles and slapping the soles of his
feet.

Empacho

Empacho (indigestion) primarily affects children. It is characterized by digestive problems

caused by eating certain foods or non-edible substances, or eating too quickly and in excess. It
is believed that a small mass of such foods gets stuck in the gut.

The symptoms associated with empacho are common upset stomach conditions, such as
bloating, flatulence, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

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The treatments for empacho are very diverse, depending on the region or the folk doctor.
Some of the most prevalent remedies involve teas, salts, massages, purgantes (laxatives),
sobadas (deep massages), cataplasmas (poultices) or suppositories, among others.

Mal de Ojo

This type of condition mostly affects babies; however, adults have reported suffering from
this illness too. The symptoms of mal de ojo (evil eye) on a baby may be fever, incessant
crying, restlessness, and lack of appetite. The most common believed cause of mal de ojo is
when someone gazes or stares at someone else with admiration, jealousy or envy.

Typically, this type of condition is diagnosed by a tarot card reader, or by the extrasensory
perception of a comadrona (midwife). The most common way to treat this condition is to roll
a chicken egg over the entire body of the affected individual to absorb all the negative vibes
into the egg.

To avoid mal de ojo, mothers are recommended to put a red necklace or bracelet made of red
beads, buckeye seeds or yarn on their babies. When an adult is affected by the evil eye, he or
she consults a curandero (folk healer) to have a limpia (cleansing) with herbs and candles.

Susto

Susto (sickness from a fright) is a folk ailment caused by an unsettling or traumatic experience
that scares the person’s soul out of his or her body. This condition usually affects women and
adolescents. The symptoms commonly observed in patients with susto are anxiety, chills,
depression, fatigue, insomnia, and panic. In order to retrieve a person’s soul, the susto patient
normally undergoes a series of rituals that involve special diets, drinking special brebajes
(potions), and the sweeping of the body by a curandero with bunches of sage, rue, or basil.

In Other Cultures of the World

Coining

Coining is a common Southeast Asian treatment technique, which involves roughly rubbing a
coin on a patient’s oiled skin. This alternative treatment is mostly used to cure minor illnesses
such as a cold, cough, flu, fever, pain, or lethargy. It is believed that a person catches a “bad
wind” that goes into the bloodstream, and that coining will release the “bad wind” by bringing
blood to the surface of the skin.

Because coining leaves noticeable physical marks such as scrapes and bruises, patients—
especially children—are sometimes incorrectly identified as victims of abuse. The
misperception of this cultural practice has led to many wrongful accusations and reports of
child abuse.

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Cupping

Cupping therapy is an ancient alternative medical practice that involves the placing of glass
cups on the skin to create suction. Typically, the practitioner ignites an alcohol-soaked cotton
ball, which is then, in a quick move, inserted and quickly removed from the cup before placing
it on the desired area. This process removes the oxygen from the cup, creating a vacuum
effect, which ultimately plumps up the skin inside the cup.

Practitioners claim that this treatment helps mobilize stagnant blood in order to promote the
healing of various medical ailments, such as blood disorders, musculoskeletal conditions,
gynecological disorders, skin problems, and even psychological instability.

In Middle Eastern cultures, it’s common to practice wet cupping, which involves the slight
cutting of the skin before placing the cup so that blood can be drawn into the cup.

While cupping is considered relatively safe, it can cause visible skin conditions such as
dermatitis, ecchymosis (bruises) or small lacerations that may be confused with physical
abuse.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese heat therapy in which a cigar-shaped stick made of a
dried herb called moxa, also known as mugwort, is burnt on or near the skin to target
acupuncture points. Practitioners claim that the heat that emanates from this herb stimulates
blood flow, which results in the effective treatment of certain diseases, such as cancer,
arthritis, and digestive disorders.

Moxibustion therapy is commonly used during pregnancy when the baby is found in breech
presentation (buttocks first). While most breech babies will turn naturally before labor, it is
recommended to try to position the baby in cephalic presentation (head down) sooner than
later in order to avoid a C-section.

Conclusion

The healthcare interpreter is central in assisting to clarify any potential cross-cultural
conflicts that may exist between the healthcare provider’s Western point of view and the
patient’s traditional perception of his illnesses and treatments.

As cultural brokers (clarifiers), medical interpreters have the responsibility to ensure that the
patient’s cultural—and sometimes unconventional—attitude towards illnesses and
treatments are not being misunderstood or overlooked. The interpreter’s ability to identify
and help both parties clarify potential cultural misunderstandings can significantly impact the
clinical outcome and patient satisfaction.

The goal of bridging cultural differences is to achieve optimal patient-provider
communication in order to create an opportunity to negotiate an effective course of action
that is sensitive to the cultural beliefs of the patient.

Furthermore, the interpreter’s input on these matters may also help prevent potential harm
to the patient, such as poisoning, scarring, mental distress, or adverse drug reactions.

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Additional Asian Folk Conditions


Amok Refers to an individual who suffers from a dissociative episode
characterized by depression and followed by violent and
murderous behavior.

Hwa-byung This condition is believed to be caused by the suppression of anger,
which results in physical and mental disorders.

Koro Patients afflicted with koro believe that their genitals are retracting
inside their bodies and that their sexual organs will eventually
disappear.

Latah This is an affliction in which a person engages in abnormal
behavior when frightened. The patient reacts to a fright by
screaming, cursing, and uncontrollable movements or laughter.

Pibloktoq This condition is seen in women in the Arctic Circle. It is also
known as Arctic Hysteria because the affected patient engages in
manic behavior, during which she performs dangerous or
embarrassing acts without having any recollection afterward.

Shen kui Males who suffer from this affliction are believed to be losing their
virility because of excessive ejaculation. Besides the purported
physical symptoms, the patient can feel anxious and panicky due to
the loss of semen, which can lead to death. (Dhat, in India)

Taijin kyofusho This interpersonal relationship disorder is based on the fear,
anxiety, or phobia of interacting with other people. Typically,
patients are emotionally distressed about bodily functions and
appearance.


Are there any similarities in your ethnic group, or any other conditions?

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Rev. 1/18
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