Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 11, 1 November 2006 — Ancestral wisdom [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ancestral wisdom

on ehilel development still valid

I pa'ake kino o ke keiki i ka iā'au So that the body of the child be solidly built by the plants. The 'ōlelo no'eau above speaks of the critical need to eat Hawaiian greens and other vegetables in order to produce a sound and healthy baby, to help the child's body develop, and to keep the mother fit and healthy. The lā'au referred to are the leafy greens, poi, taro, sweet potato limu, etc. These plants were used as preventive medicine, since traditional healing has no pills. The diet of wahine hāpai was carefully regulated and supervised by elders to assure the important nutrients for her baby's development. In the practice of the ancient culture.

expectant mothers ate greens and poi, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy, so that the bone structure and organs of the child would be solidly built. Western science verifies that these lā'au (food plants) are rich in nutrients and necessary for good development. A Honolulu physician, Dr. Nils P. Larson, recognized that the Hawaiian practice of "systematic natural therapy was more scientific in many ways, at the time of discovery, than that of the European discoverers." Early visitors envied the Hawaiian physique. It was beautifully balanced, with straight backs and muscular stomachs, strong arms and legs, all the obvious result of good early nutrition and care. We also know that the lā'au were kinolau (forms) of the gods who protected both family and child. Our ancestors placed great importance on

assuring appropriate physical development of infants. Kahuna would work with parents to correct any defect that could be corrected in infancy and childhood. Infant specialists were very knowledgeable about requirements for growth and development, and many were skilled in body molding and shaping. The Hawaiian mother nursed her newborn infant, and Western science also verifies that breastfeeding is best for the baby and is very beneficial to the new mother. The benefits for the infant are that breast milk is exclusively designed for human infants, it is nutritionally superior to alternatives, bacteriologically safe and always fresh, stimulates the infant's immune defenses, decreases the risk of respiratory disease and diarrhea, prevents or reduces the risk of allergy, promotes correct development of jaws, teeth and

speech, decreases a tendency of childhood obesity, promotes frequent tender physical contact with the mother, and helps to establish a close bond between mother and child. The mother's benefits from breastfeeding are that it promotes quick recovery from pregnancy, decreases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, helps to shrink the uterus, decreases the risk of post partum hemorrhage.

prolongs not having periods, promotes closeness between mother and child, and gives mothers a sense of importance, provides relaxing breaks, eliminates formula preparation and bottle washing, and saves money. The wisdom of our ancestors is still valid. By heeding their advice, we give our children the gift of good health that will last them a lifetime.

OLAKINO • YDUR HEALĪH

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. PH„ R.D.

Wisdom passed through the generations about keiki health still holds true.