With a growing amount of narratives surrounding Black women’s health and a search for methods of solving physical issues outside of Western medicine, Nicole Vassell speaks to the founder of a popular feminine care brand to learn how they’re doing it differently
If you’re a wide reader of news that affects Black women globally, you may already be aware that there’s more discussion than ever surrounding Black women’s health; specifically as it concerns reproductive, and genital health.
From Serena Williams ‘nearly dying’ in labour with daughter Alexis Olympia, to celebrities such as singer Monica talking about her battle with endometriosis, there’s clearly plenty to be discovered when it comes to feminine health for Black women.
In 2016, The Guardian published a journal about how in the USA Black patients were half as likely to receive pain medication as their Caucasian counterparts. Considering African American women are three times more likely to experience painful ailments like fibroids, endometriosis, and diabetes and much more, this is a shocking statistic.
However, this isn’t a uniquely American problem in the least – Black women in the UK have also taken to the press and their social media platforms to air their dissatisfaction with the way their bodies are treated in the general health system, from a lack of research, to treatment on the frontlines. As a result, there has been a movement towards finding additional, holistic remedies to painful feminine health issues; someone at the forefront of change in the UK, is Shanay Laville.
After getting a call from the doctor’s office telling her that she had cysts on her ovaries, Shanay was concerned with what would happen to her if the problems didn’t get fixed. ‘I was only around 22 [years old], but I was really worried,’ Shanay explained. The doctor said that I might not be able to conceive later in life, as a result, and I was thinking that I would not want this issue for other women, or myself, who want natural alternatives.’
So, reluctant to leave her health up to chance, or undergo a surgical procedure to remove the cysts, Shanay went in search of answers for a natural solution. From burying herself in books such as ‘The A to Z of Herbs’, to making trips around the world in search of ingredients, she was on a mission to find a natural solution to take control of her health; before long, she found the answers she was looking for.
‘I started vaginal steaming, or “yoni steaming”, which helps to permeate the first level of your uterus,’ Shanay explained. ‘All the herbs have got different uses, and that’s what helped to break down my cysts. I also infused herbs with hypoallergenic cotton mesh balls; you insert it for 2-3 days, and then take it out with all the toxins.’
Though potentially scary to the ears of the squeamish, according to Shanay, this practice with her was instrumental in reversing her cysts, as when she returned to the doctor to check on her progress, her symptoms had vanished.
‘After I found that I could help myself, I thought: “I can help other people too!”’
Eventually, she became so passionate about this field of research that she was spurred to put her degree in Architecture on hold, and pursue the research and construction of herbal remedies full-time. For the past two years, she’s run her own business based on it: EmpressBody, a holistic health brand with all natural feminine care products. With over 100k followers on Instagram, the EmpressBody community is active and enthusiastic, sharing their experiences with natural healing, and tips on how to live a more healthy life.
There’s something completely revolutionary in Black and brown women in particular seeking answers by going back to nature; as well as staying checked up with medical professionals, the EmpressBody community empowers itself to put their bodies first, and pay closer attention to how they treat them.
Other natural solutions
Outside of finding ways to aid her reproductive issues, Shanay’s research into natural healing has resulted in her discovering the cure to other ailments – dental pain and headaches included.
‘Most of the time my friends message me and call me for help – like, “Oh, Shanay, my tooth’s got a hole,” and I say don’t worry put some clove on it, and the hole will close,’ she explains. ‘I’ve got the answer for a lot of things, but at the same time, I’m still learning and constantly gaining.’
Shanay’s initial interest in finding healing in herbs and natural sources is connected to her Jamaican and Dominican cultural upbringing; in her view, she was always hearing of solutions to make things better with teas, spices and kitchen mixtures. But, with an increasing amount of people having an interest in natural remedies, and EmpressBody growing in popularity month after month, she knows the importance of doing due diligence to make sure she’s offering products that can actually be of benefit to those in need of help – so, as well as taking some base knowledge from the words of the elders in her community, she makes sure to do heavy research to ensure the quality of the information she sends out into the world.
‘There are things that are known to have healing properties: for example, ginger has an antiseptic in it. But I had to dig so much deeper than basic plants and herbs that you would find in England; I had to look in places like India, East Asia. I found these different herbs, and by combining them, I came up with something that really really works; and now hundreds of women are using it, and they’re really grateful.’
Push back
Of course, with all things that exist outside of the traditional, there are some who have expressed doubt towards the legitimacy of these remedies. In fact, some scepticism is even more expected where physical health is concerned, as everyone is looking out for themselves and making sure not to do themselves any harm. Shanay is not a stranger to hearing comments of those who have doubts on the legitimacy of herbs to solve potentially serious issues.
‘There have been a few people, that have had their thoughts and said, “Well, a doctor has recommended this medicine”, and I’ve always said that my products should be used at their own discretion,’ she begins. ‘But when people see the reviews, and people know its 100% natural herbs and plants, and there are no synthetic chemicals, people are more open to it.
‘I understand you can be a bit anxious, like: ‘How is that really going to help?’, but once you see the results for yourself, then it becomes okay. This is real, it really works. Use at your own pace; everyone has their own journey.’
No taboo
The EmpressBody Instagram page (@empress_body) showcases much of the range of products that Shanay provides, but its function is much more than social media advertising. In its two years of operation, it’s become a space for discussion of topics that you don’t see often. Talking about consistency of vaginal discharge, to the politics of breastfeeding in public, to exploring the varieties of pubic hair presentation, there are no boundaries – the EmpressBody family will discuss it all.
‘With the platform we have, we are making discussion of women’s health more open. People embrace EmpressBody because of what it stands for; we’re trying to close that taboo. It’s your body; it’s natural, and there’s nothing bad about it, or should be unspoken of.’
It’s important to take care of yourself and to visit medical professionals when you feel it’s necessary; however, it’s good to know that through social media, there’s a safe space for women to discuss what’s really going on with their bodies, and their natural ways of reacting to it.
