Ms Bailly, who is studying for a Master's degree in social anthropology at the University of Otago, is keen to interview migrants from the Indian sub-continent to discuss the healing traditions they follow.
''Although New Zealand is increasingly becoming a multi-cultural nation, western biomedicine remains the dominant form of healthcare available,'' Ms Bailly said.
''Among differing cultures, there are diverse ways in which health and the body are understood. This research will look at those cross-cultural health practices,'' she said.
The study will also look at how health and the body are understood differently between Eastern and Western medical traditions.
Raised on an Ashram in California in the 1970s, Ms Bailly was exposed to a variety of alternative and traditional medicines, including homeopathy, Chinese medicine and the Indian herbal practice of Ayurveda.
''The whole understanding of Ayurveda is quite different from the biomedical system, which is an important cultural difference,'' she said.
As part of her research into cross-cultural health practises, Ms Bailly is keen to discuss whether migrants from India practise Ayurveda, Unani, acupuncture, Siddha medicine, herbal remedies or homeopathy in the home, or whether they seek them elsewhere.
The experience of migrants in accessing their traditional forms of medicine in a new country could be an important settlement issue, she said.
''Having difficulty accessing the forms of medicine they are used to could contribute to culture shock.''
The research could help to explore whether there might be a greater need for alternative medicine, or a greater understanding of diversity, in New Zealand, she said.
Ms Bailly plans to conduct her research through interviews, with an emphasis on people's own perceptions of health and wellbeing.
She is seeking people aged from 18 to 65, who are not suffering serious illness, and who identify as descendent from the Indian sub-continent. Anyone who wishes to be part of the research is invited to email hannah.bailly@otago.ac.nz
