Cross-cultural adaptation in urban ethnobotany: the Colombian folk pharmacopoeia in London.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate traditional health care practices and changes in medicinal plant use among the growing Colombian community in London.


METHODS
Ethnobotanical fieldwork consisted of qualitative, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 23 Colombians living in London and botanical identification of 46 plant species actively used as herbal remedies. Subsequently, research data were compared with literature on ethnobotany and traditional herbal medicine in the home country, using a framework on cross-cultural adaptation, adjusted for the purpose of this study.


RESULTS
Similarities and discrepancies between data and literature are interpreted as potential indicators of continuity and loss (or deculturation) of traditional remedies, respectively. Remedies used in London that are not corroborated by the literature suggest possible newly acquired uses.


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-cultural adaptation related to health care practices is a multifaceted process. Persistence, loss and incorporation of remedies into the Colombian folk pharmacopoeia after migration are influenced by practical adaptation strategies as well as by symbolic-cultural motives of ethnic identity.
Division of Pharmacy Practice, University of Bradford, Richmond Building, Richmond Road, Bradford BD7 1DP, West Yorkshire, UK. melissaceuterick@hotmail.com
Melissa
M
Ceuterick
Ina
I
Vandebroek
Bren
B
Torry
Andrea
A
Pieroni
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003105:Colombia / Q000208:ethnology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D019448:Ethnobotany / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010602:Pharmacopoeias as Topic; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult