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Curanderismo: Latino Folk Medicine
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Michael Caudill has years of clinical experience working in primary care in Latino communities. He has a certificate in Traditional Mexican Folk Medicine from the University of New Mexico.
Is there a curandero in the house?
Are folk illnesses such as “empacho” or “mollera caida” a medical emergency?
What traditional treatments have already been tried? Provide more appropriate care for your Latino patients by learning about curanderismo - a holistic, spiritual approach to medicine that uses the natural world to heal the mind, body and soul. Curanderos, sobadores, santeros, and yerberos use rituals, massage, teas, creams and tinctures from herbs and plants to treat a variety of physical, psychological, and spiritual ailments.
The objectives for this seminar are:
- Identify the three primary perceived causes of illness in Latino folk medicine.
- Describe two folk illnesses that may be acute emergencies.
- Recognize the four types of traditional healers used by Latinos.
- List five compelling symptoms will prompt most Latinos to seek medical care.
- Identify four cultural values that are critical in reaching Latinos with health messages.
What is Curanderismo?
Curanderismo has been influenced by Greek humoral medicine and was revived during the Spanish Renaissance by consulting Latin translations of Galen and Hippocrates on the art of healing. Other beliefs and practices that have influenced curanderismo have been medieval and European witchcraft, early Arabic medicine and health practices, Judeo-Christian religious beliefs (symbols and rituals), Native American herbal lore and health practices, modern beliefs about spiritualism and psychic phenomena, scientific medicine, and the Bible.
The verb curar means to heal. Curanderismo can be called “holistic” or “folk” healing and is executed by a curandero (male healer) or a curandera (female healer). There are three levels of curanderismo: the material, the spiritual, and the mental. The material emphasizes objects such as candles, oils, and herbs. The spiritual embraces a medium through which the healing takes place. The mental focuses on psychic healing. All three levels require rituals that are formulaic or patterned in different ways to treat various illnesses.
Part of curanderismo is the belief that the curandero(a) has been bestowed as a gift (don) to heal others. However, most healers learn through apprenticeship to an older curandero and must go through a developmental period known as a desarrollo. There are several types of curandero(a)s, such as the Yerbera (herbalist), who works with herbs alone and treats patients with natural remedies (remedios). A Sobador/Sobadora (folk chiropractor) specializes in muscle and bone manipulation, acupressure, and massage therapy, healing with hands and supplementing the treatment with herbal medications when appropriate. A Partera is a midwife who utilizes herbs during the course of prenatal care and during delivery. For most curandero(a)s, healing is their livelihood; however, many do not charge but accept donations.
Adapted from Curanderismo: Holistic Healing By Lu Liñan, Goals 2000 - Partnerships for Educating Colorado Students, El Alma de la Raza Curriculum and Teacher Training Project
InterCultural Advantage
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