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Many Afghanistan’s believed that through culture and tradition, medical plants can assist health conditions. Afghanistan is known for its rich flora. With the use of these plants, gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular and all kinds of diseases is believed to be managed. From the minimal modern health services, Afghanistan rely highly on traditional medicine and have a profound connection to nature. Although there are still so many of Afghanistan’s plants used in traditional medical treatment to this day, “herbal teas have been evaluated by modern pharmacological and phytotherapeutically studies”. (Manduzai et al., 2021) Herbal teas containing ingredients like Trachyspermum. Trachyspermum is an important remedial agent, it is uses its roots and seed, “The roots are diuretic in nature and the seeds possess excellent aphrodisiac properties”. (Ranjan Bairwa, R. S. Sodha, and B. S. Rajawat, 2012, p. 56) This herb was used for curing diseases.

Manduzai, A. K., Abbasi, A. M., Khan, S. M., Abdullah, A., Prakofjewa, J., Amini, M. H., Amjad, M. S., Cianfaglione, K., Fontefrancesco, M. F., Soukand, R., & Pieroni, A. (2021). The importance of keeping alive sustainable foraging practices: Wild vegetables and herbs gathered by Afghan refugees living in Mansehra district, Pakistan. Sustainability, 13(3), 1500. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031500.

Mir Haidar Shah Omid. (2024, August 19). Afghan Herbs and Spices Total $144m USD In Exports. TOLOnews. https://tolonews.com/business/afghan-herbs-and-spices-total-144m-usd-exports.

Ranjan Bairwa, R. S. Sodha, and B. S. Rajawat. (2012). Trachyspermum ammi. Pharmacogn Rev, 6(11), 56-60. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.95871.

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For me, the most meaningful aspect of the competency standard 1.4 is recognising the important role families from cultured backgrounds of migrants and refugees play. I have developed my understanding of how different families and communities impacts on an individual. This Domain has challenged my previous beliefs of "consent, treatment and follow up” (Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership, 2019). This understanding of culture and community is essential to me to provide my patients with patient centred care and improve how I can treat people from various backgrounds. Previously, I never understood the impact that migrants and refugees’ families have on their treatment plan. However, understanding various contexts means I’m capable to better sympathise and help my patients.

Culturally Responsive Clipical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds Competency Standards Framework for Clinicians. (2019, January). Migrant & Refugee Health Partnership. https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf.

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Afghanistan if filled with a diverse culture, surrounded by many types of languages. RJ Travel states that "Afghanistan recognises two official languages that hold significant importance in the country’s governance, administration, and education system." (2023) These two languages are Pashto and Dari. Pashto is mainly spoken by Pashtun ethnic groups and is described at literature. Dari plays a role in media, formal education and governance.

Languages of Afghanistan: Exploring the main Diferences. (2023, July 26). RJ Travel LLC - Adventure Travel Agency & Tour Operator. https://www.rjtravelagency.com/languages-of-afghanistan/.

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The national dish of Afghanistan is called Kabuli Pulao. This dish consists of rice, mixed in with carrots, raisins and lamb. Women were expected to know how to cook this popular dish before they were married as it is a big part of their culture. When the families sat around to eat dinner, this dish is usually the centre piece of the meal. When eaten, no cutlery would be used, instead, this meal, along with the rest of Afghanistan food would be eaten with their fingers.

Recipe below

Ingredients-

2–4 tbs char masala

2 teaspoons cumin seeds

680grams of lamb

350 grams julienned carrots

250 grams of raisins

1/4 C sesame oil

2 sliced onions

4 chopped garlic cloves

salt

2 Tablespoons of sugar

3 Cups Rice

Method-

1. Rince through the rice and let it soak until water runs through clear.

2. Firstly get out the pot, add sesame oil and heat. Once onions and garlic chopped, add in.

3. Cook for 30 mins, then add cumin

4. Next, add lamb in, along with a tablespoon of salt. Then add 3 cups of water and let it cook for about 1 hour or until meat is fork tender.

5. While meat is cooking, bring out a pan. Dress with vegetable oil. Add in shredded carrots, remove once soft.

6. Soak raisins in hot water for about 5 minutes, drain, then add in raisins. This will take no longer than a minute, then place all ingredients onto foil off the pan, this will be used later on.

7. Boil a large pot of water, adding salt into the water. Pour rinsed rice into boiling water.

8. Here you must closely watch the rice as it only needs to be partially cooked, about 4 minutes, then drain rice.

9. Next, in a pan add a quarter cup of vegetable oil. Add your sugar. Let the sugar darken. Add 1/2 Cup of water, set aside. This is to make the caramel colour to the rice.

10. Take meat out of the broth when done cooking. Now it’s time to put everything together. Get a big pot out and add half of the rice to the bottom, then add the lamb, then the rest of the rice on top.

11. Then using a few scoops of lamb broth, and sugar mixture and char masala.

12. Poke some holes in the rice with the handle of a spoon. This will allow steam to release better. Take the raisins and carrots that was put aside earlier and place in pan on top of the rice.

13. Cover with foil, place lid on, cook on stive on medium-low heat for about 25 minutes, then serve

Seddiq, M. (2023, August 30). Kabuli pulao recipe - Afghan national dish. Afghan Cooks. https://afghancooks.com/kabuli-pulao-recipe/.

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Refugee response index Australia review: Refugees become self-reliant (Pillar 4). (2023, March 28). Refugee Council of Australia. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/rri-refugees-become-self-reliant/.

Rezaei, O., Banham, V., & Adibi, H. (2023). Afghan immigrants in Western Australia: Divisions within the community and integration within the society. Ethnicities, 146879682311814. https://doi.org/10.1177/14687968231181421.

Social determinants of health. (2019, May 30). World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1.

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Afghanistan ladies would get a lot of attention, who wouldn't when their culture was known for their beautiful and bright colourful fabrics.

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Mental Health concerns can be a common health issue to Afghanistan refugees arriving in Australia, leaving over 800,000 Afghans with disabilities. (Afghanistan, 2011) Leaving your home can cause an outrages amount of stress, depression and anxiety, resulting in vulnerable Afghan refugees, usually creating the root of this disease. This can be from arriving in Australia, with a “loss of community, country and cultural connections” having “additive impacts in terms of risk for mental health”. (Singleton et al., 2024) Or even from what was left behind, whether that be bad experiences or even trauma. Treatment for mental health issues can include support systems such as the Multicultural Mental Health Network, here people are able to express how they are feeling and get advice on what to do. Things such as changing diet, exercise, understanding that there is a support system around them can strengthen a person to feel a sense of belonging when arriving in Australia.

Afghanistan. (2011, October 19). Mental and disability health. World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. https://www.emro.who.int/afg/programmes/mental-health.html.

Multicultural mental health network. (n.d.). Mental Health Commission - Western Australia. https://www.mhc.wa.gov.au/about-us/mental-health-network/multicultural-mental-health-network/.

Singleton, G., Hocking, D., Gardiner, J., & Paxton, G. (2024). Mental health » Australian refugee health. Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/mental-health/.