patient must take full responsibility to ensure they get the appropriate treatment. One such example for
postpartum mothers is diet control. Society must outline recommendations and warnings by research through
interview and survey. The findings should then be used to create a wellness education with the objectives of
raising health awareness in the community and enabling locals to take care of themselves.
The use of Thai traditional medicine to aid the recovery of postpartum mothers agrees with the policies of the
fifth national economic and social development plan, as well as modern concepts of childcare that outline desired
practice for the rearing of children. These theories, which include nursing for at least six months, proper dietary
planning and the building of relationships between father, mother and child, correspond to the structural
functionalism theory. This states that social needs are necessary for mental stability, as they create warmth and
confidence in the self. They require a social model or role-model, which leads to a relationship with the cultural
diffusion theory (Pongsapit, 2006). The cultural diffusion theory concludes that different societies have similar
cultures as a result of cultural diffusion from one to another. This means that the traditional knowledge related to
postpartum mothers that is adopted and integrated in health care across Isan and beyond first stemmed from
cultural diffusion between its ethnic societies. This is in agreement with the research of Daranee Onchomjan
(2009), who stated that the problems with holistic health care do not lie with the integrated ancient knowledge
but rather with the understanding and application of that knowledge in terms of culture, customs, traditions,
religion and beliefs. This research also corresponds to the theories of Dujduean Samranwong (2001), who stated
that care must be balanced between activity and rest, between private time and public time. Concerning remedies
that use traditional knowledge and that are suitable for beliefs and culture in Isan, this research agrees with the
findings of Mara Chaiyanek, whose study of Phu Tai people in Kalasin Province found that yu fai and traditional
herbal remedies were used to care for postpartum mothers (Chaiyanek, 2001).
In the past, modern medicine and technology in Isan was not widespread, so the majority of expecting mothers
were not able to use modern methods of treatment and the traditional knowledge alternatives were preferable.
Nowadays, this treatment is known as alternative medicine and refers to the adaptation of traditional knowledge
of ancient communities in health care. This traditional medicine aims to improve the lifestyle and quality of the
life of Isan people, while conserving and passing on traditional knowledge and wisdom to future generations.