| The view of health by Native Americans is both | | | | illness. If the mind is negative, the body will be |
| all encompassing and thoughtful. Traditional | | | | drained, making it more vulnerable. When people |
| medicine can play a more stoic and relentlessly | | | | open up to the universe, learn what is good for |
| lend to the scientific approach, but Native | | | | them, and find ways to be happier, they can |
| Americans have a more holistic outlook. | | | | begin to work toward a longer and healthier life. |
| Health is viewed as a balance or harmony of mind | | | | Many ancient people had ways to get rid of this |
| and body. The goal is to be in harmony with all | | | | negativity. The Mayan people of Mexico would |
| things, which means first being in harmony with | | | | stand in a stream of flowing water and talk out all |
| oneself. Harmony is thought to neutralize problems | | | | their angers, fears, sorrows, or troubles over the |
| and help one's life to become beautiful. Good | | | | water. The moving water would take all the |
| health makes it easier for all people to do their | | | | emotions they poured out of themselves into the |
| part in the universe, to serve others, and to fulfill | | | | current and away from them. |
| their personal life visions. | | | | Role of Medicine Women and Men |
| Life is considered in all of its dualities: winter | | | | Although they are the primary care providers in |
| summer, cold/hot, day/night, mind/body, spiritual | | | | many places, the responsibilities of medicine |
| physical, work/play, and so on. Native people | | | | women and men go beyond healing illness. They |
| believe that the two sides of everything deserve | | | | also evaluate advice and treatment given by |
| equal attention and that both should be nourished | | | | other health care practitioners. They often have a |
| with love. A healthy person who is walking in | | | | strong influence on the acceptance or rejection of |
| balance is energized and alert, and even in the | | | | the treatment plans from conventional health care |
| presence of disease will still feel alive and fulfilled. | | | | providers. They may also function as tribal social |
| Traditionally, Native American people lived long, | | | | mediators, dispensing traditional wisdom and |
| happy, healthy, and balanced lives. They did | | | | suggesting action. Medicine people reaffirm and |
| everything to respect and honor Mother Earth | | | | strengthen tribal identity through the recounting of |
| and the Great Spirit. They ate wholesome food | | | | myth and song. They have an extensive |
| and considered all food to be blessed as a gift of | | | | knowledge of their communities and of family |
| life from the Creator. They got up with the sun | | | | relationships and interaction. They are the |
| and went to bed with the moon. Exercise was a | | | | formulators and teachers of the old religion and |
| natural part of their lives, integrated into daily | | | | creators of the new. Medicine people are figures |
| activities. These good health habits, a sense of | | | | of authority and awe as instruments of the |
| joy, and a purpose in life are key factors for living | | | | Creator. |
| into old age. | | | | In conclusion, keeping all things in balance and |
| Illness occurs when balance is disrupted. It is | | | | retrospect is a simple foundation and simple |
| believed that most illness begins in the head and | | | | approach to maintaining good health and a healthy |
| that people must get rid of ideas that predispose | | | | life. |