MEXICAN FOLK MEDICINE AND FOLK BELIEFS
MEXICAN FOLKMEDICINE AND FOLKBELIEFSCuranderismo y yerbas MedicinalesEliseo “Cheo” Torres, University Administrator,Professor, Authorwww.unm.edu/ cheo/Cheo’s folk healing page.htm
Traditional Mexican Healing CertificateProgramOffered through the Center for ContinuingEducation, University of New Mexico First certificate program of its kind in the U.S.9-10 modules totaling 400 hoursInstructors are healers and faculty from Mexico City area andCuernavaca, MexicoHands-on curriculum will provide participants with knowledgeand skills used by traditional folk healers, includingdiagnosing illness, preparing natural medicines, identifyingand using medicinal plants, massage therapy, iridology, etc.Certificate continues to be offered through University of NewMexico’s Continuing Education programFor further information, please visit:www.unm.edu/ cheo/Cheo’s folk healing page.htm
Book: Curandero: A Life in MexicanFolk HealingThis book about my life andresearch in curanderismo is nowavailable through the Universityof New Mexico Press. You canorder it through my website, or bygoing to the UNM press website,or by getting an order form fromme after class.My website:www.unm.edu/ cheo/Cheo’s folkhealing page.htmUNM Press ordering page:http://www.unmpress.com/Book.php?id 10546036839987
Book: Healing with Herbs andRituals: A Mexican TraditionThis book about herbs and ritualsused in Mexican Folk Healing isnow available through theUniversity of New Mexico Press.You can order it through mywebsite, or by going to the UNMpress website, or by getting anorder form from me after class.My website:www.unm.edu/ cheo/Cheo’s folkhealing page.htmUNM Press ordering page:http://www.unmpress.com/Book.php?id 11085670627549
I. INTRODUCTIONInfluences of Curanderismo1.)2.)3.)4.)5.)Judeo-Christian – gift from God and beliefin GodGreek Humoral – equilibrium of hot andcoldArabic – directing psychic energyEuropean Witchcraft – supernatural forcesAfrican – Santeria blend of Catholic saintsand African orichas
Influences of Curanderismo (Continued)6.)7.)Spiritualism and psychic – spiritual trancesand communication with spiritsScientific – germ theory, psychology andbiomedicine
Blend of Old and New Worlds
HISTORY 1519 – Spaniards arrived in Mexico1521 – Tenochitlan and 3,000 medicinal plantsdestroyed1552 – Martin de la Cruz, Aztec Indian doctor,wrote first book (listing 251 herbs) on medicinalplants at School of Santa Cruz de Tlaltelolco;written 31 years after conquest of Mexico1554 – Cervantes de Salazar describedMontezuma II’s gardens; physicians experimentedwith hundreds of medical herbs
Pages from Codex Badiano
More Codex Badiano pages
Traditional remedies of Europe and Asia havebeen blended with those of Aztecs and Mayans.
Evolution of Medicinal Herbs Aztec pharmacology – 1,200 medicinal herbsAztecs treated arthritis, gastrointestinal ills,hepatitis, etc.
Today, Curanderismo has influenced the revival ofAlternative/Complementary/Holistic IntegratedMedicine, including: 21 Billion in Consumer SpendingAndrew Weil’s Common Sense Approach – “Can’t hurt,could help” Less fat, animal food, stress Eliminate or reduce intake of booze, cigarettes, coffee Begin exercise, massage and hypnosis therapy Use herbs, olive oil, garlic, ginger, etc. Keep lots of fresh flowers
Andrew WeilGuru of the“integrative”medicine approach,Dr. Weil preachesthat modern medicineneeds to pay moreattention to the wholepicture – mind aswell as body.
II. The Curandero’s Three Levels ofKnowledge1.)2.)3.)MATERIAL – herbs, animals, eggs, water,candles, cigars, etc.SPIRITUAL – Curandero as medium; soulconceptMENTAL – channels mental vibrations topatient
1.) Material Level Can use plants – Simple, Mixed, and PopularWaterAjo Macho (Elephant Garlic)Piedra Iman (Lodestone)Magical PerfumesNatural “Viagra”Snake MedicineCandlesTemezcal
Simple Medicinal PlantsUsed for Food and Medicine Garlic – with olive oil forburns; clove in ear forearaches; in brandy forasthma; with brown sugarfor coughs; with honey fordandruff; reducescholesterol.Onion – treats anemia,bronchial complaints andasthma; cooked in oilprevents scarlet fever anddiphtheria; as tea forcoughs and sore throats;when hot, applied to boils.
Simple Medicinal Plants -- Continued Orange – Leaves used astea for digestion andstronger tea for insomnia;flowers and peel for stressand insomnia; tea frombark of bitter orange toimprove appetite.
Aloe Vera – ZabilaReferred to as Planta Milagrosa, or Miraculous Plant 333 B.C. – used asmedicineMember Lily family –onion and garlic (notcactus)External use – burns, cuts,rashes, acne and wrinklesInternal use – arthritis,rheumatism, stomachdisorders and constipationFolk belief: brings positivevibrations and good luck
Aloe Vera –Positive Vibrations and Good Luck
Popular Plants Chaya – has been used as diet supplement by theMayans since before Spaniards arrived in 1519.Chaya outweighs both Spinach and Alfalfa inprotein, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, phosphorus,and Vitamins C, A, B-1 and B-2. Scientists arestudying its anti-diabetic potential.Tepezcohuite – the Mimosa tree has propertiesthat promote healing, esp. for burns. It alsopromotes healthy scar tissue formation in bodycuts, wounds, skin irritations.
Popular Plants -- Continued Cat’s Claw or Uña de Gato is an herb fromPeru’s rain forest said to be an effective multipurpose medicinal plant. Cat’s Claw containsseveral Oxindole Alkaloids which stimulatethe immunologic system. Research shows thatCat’s Claw has antiviral, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti-tumor properties.
Spiritual Water – Used as Spiritual Food
Man drinking Spiritual Water to helpin Curative/Healing process
Ajo Macho – Elephant Garlic One great clove (asopposed to TableGarlic – many cloves)Elephant Garlic usedas powder or perfumeto bring goodvibrations and goodluck
Piedra Iman (Compuesta) – Lodestonesignifies Gold – wealthSilver – good home and familyCoral (red bean) – gets rid of envy and allthat’s badWheat – good husband, wife, marriage orrelationshipHorseshoe – prosperous job or business
Piedra Iman -- Lodestone SoapPerfumePowderAmuletStoneAll bring positivevibrations
Magical Perfumes Iman – Luck Contra Embrujo -- Against a Hex Yo Puedo Mas Que Tu (“I Can More Than You”) – Power OverAnother Ven A Mi (“Come to Me”) – Attracts a Lover
Packaged Herbal Compounds Tlanchalagua – Weight Loss Sexogil – for Impotence Te Nervina – for Headaches, Epilepsy, Neuralgia
Sexogil – a “traditional Viagra”
Snake Medicine NIH-Sponsored Research – using venom todestroy cancer and tumor tissueVenom – contains 60 proteins, toxins, andenzymes; destroys tissues and affectsnervous systemFolk Usage – stops gossip
Snake Oil1.)2.)Aceite – forRheumatism,Arthritis, otheraches and painsTo stop gossip –place drop forevery letter ofgossip’s name onpiece of paper,then burn paper
Other Medicinal Oils
Candle Rituals Color & flicker,pattern of melting waxused to diagnose illnessParaffin or animal fatused for differentconditions
Candle Rituals -- ContinuedSignificance of CandleColors Blue: serenityPink: good willWhite: purityRed: illness/loveGreen & Black:negative forces
Traditional TemezcalOaxaca, MexicoCourtesy of Laura de Franklin
Oaxacan and New Mexican Healers Lauro & Laura,during UNM’s Occupational Therapy Class on Healingin Oaxaca, MexicoCourtesy of Laura de Franklin
2.) Spiritual and3.) Mental Levels Evil Eye – Mal de OjoMagical Fright – SustoOther rituals Caida de Mollera (“tossing baby”)Empacho (bolus of food lodged in digestive tract)Bilis (suppressed anger)Muina (outward rage)Sobador(a) – a kind of Curandero/a who is a folkmasseur(se)
Spiritual/Mental levels:Curandero/a as medium; soul concept
Evil Eye – Mal de Ojo Affects mostly babiesand sometimes adultsEgg used to absorbnegative vibrations –can be described as aliving cell, and thusused as a sacrificialobject
After Ritual – egg broken in glass and“read” or diagnosed for illness
Ojo de Venado – “Deer’s Eye” In reality an amulet;buckeye seed adornedwith red yarn and beads toward off Evil EyeWorn as bracelet ornecklaceSimilar amulets are foundin 20 different countriesArabic origins
Susto – Loss of spirit, soul; Shock (but not lifethreatening medical condition known as Shock);Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome?MAGICAL FRIGHT
(Susto continued)Client being swept with special aromatic plant (rue, basil), which“sweeps away” negative vibrations,retrieves lost soul
Other Rituals1.)2.)3.)Caida de Mollera (fallen fontenelle) – baby fall,tossing baby (dehydration)Empacho – (bolus of food lodgedsomewhere in digestive tract) – bloating,constipation, lethargy. Use massage and teas,not greta (lead dioxide) or azarcón (leadtetroxide) – highly toxicLatido (anorexia or hyperglycemia) –weight loss; administer raw egg, salt,pepper, and juice or soup – onion, garlic, andcilantro for 9 days
Other Rituals (Continued)4.)Bilis & Muina:Bilis – Suppressed anger; excessive bile; gas,constipation, indigestion; Epsom salts or otherlaxatives once a week for three weeksMuina – “anger illness,” rage – subject maybecome paralyzed; sweep with three redflowers Wed., Thur., and Fri.; administerherbal tea; if this doesn’t work, person isslapped and shaken. Duke University Study:chronic anger leads to high cholesterol andother risk factors for early death
III. Who Is a Curandero/a? Folk Healer working atdifferent levels – Material,Spiritual, MentalCuranderismo combinesboth religious andsupernaturalelements/levelsTo become a Curandero/a,one either becomes anapprentice, or must have agift (don)
Who Is a Curandero/a? – Continued Sobador/a – Usespower of hands, touch;mind/body therapy –holistic approachSeñora – Foretellsfuture by readingcards; revealsinfluence of past; saidto emphasizemental/psychic level
SOBADOR(A) – Folk Masseur(se) Specializes in a Sobadita (sprain) and Massaje(massage)Massage Therapy – now a 5 billion industry;reduces cortisol (stress hormone); releasesendorphins (natural painkillers)
Olive Oil Used by Sobador/afor therapeuticmassageAlso excellent (andvery healthy) edibleoil
Sobadora – Specifically for Sobadita(sprain)
Sobadora – performing a Massaje(whole-body massage) A Sobadora is also agood listener – whichis essential to thehealing processShe employs holisticapproach to healing –combining bothtouching and listening,a first step to healing
Another Folk Sobadora – doingMassaje
Señora – Card Reader
IV. Modern Influence of Three GreatCuranderos/as1.)2.)3.)Los Tres GrandesDon Pedrito Jaramillo (1829-1907)Niño Fidencio (1898-1938)Teresita (1873-1906)
Curanderos/asNever cure in ownname, but in name of acanonized saint suchas the Virgin ofGuadalupe or SanMartin de Porras, orof a folk saint such asDon Pedrito, NiñoFidencio, or Teresita
Don Pedrito (1829-1907) Healer of Los OlmosAdopted SeverianoBarreraInvestigated by U.S. PostOfficePrescribed water, baths,and mudOne of the mostpowerful men in theSouthwest during hislifetime
Andrew WeilModern “Integrative Medicine” specialist-- emphasizes holistic, common-senseapproach to treatment and healingDon PedritoNineteenth Century Mexican Folk Healer –emphasized holistic, common-senseapproach to treatment and healing
Rumor holds that someone he cured gave Don Pedritohis own son in gratitude. The rumor has not beensubstantiated, but Don Pedrito, who never married, didadopt Severiano Barrera, who is now considered hisdescendant.
Rafters at the Don Pedrito Chapel in Falfurrias, Texas,containing current testimonials of people healed bythe spirit of Don Pedrito (or Curanderos/aschanneling his spirit)
Also at Don PedritoChapel in Falfurrias,Texas – photos,testimonials of peoplecured by DonPedrito’s spirit, as wellas petitions for DonPedrito to intercede intheir spiritual healing
Teresita (1873-1906) Illegitimate daughter ofpoor Indian peasant andwealthy aristocraticfarmerApprenticed under HuilaPowers of hypnosis andprophecyFled to Nogales and ElPasoBuried in Clifton,Arizona
Teresita (Teresa Urrea) –La Santa de Cabora Could hypnotize patients withher eyes aloneCould cure them of pain andillnessMarried John Van Order inNew York CityWorked for a medicalcompanyToured throughout the U.S.,from San Francisco to NewYork City, healing people
Teresita went intoseizures, then a coma,after a man attempted torape her. She was thoughtdead, and was preparedfor burial. She awakenedduring funeralpreparations and satupright, fully recovered.Three days later, hercurandera-mentor Huiladied, and was buried inthe coffin built forTeresita, who thenassumed her teacher’s roleas healer.
When she was 19, the president of Mexico banished Teresita toNogales, Arizona, calling her a “dangerous agitator,” and sent500 armed men to enforce the exile. She moved to El Paso,Texas, where she healed 200 patients a day. Rebels attackingMexico from New Mexico called themselves Teresistas in herhonor, and wore pictures of her pinned to their shirts.
Teresita was buried nextto her father, Don Tomás,in Clifton, Arizona, in1906.Teresita never saw herfather again after she leftArizona for California,following a rift over her“shotgun” marriage to one“Lupe,” who tried to killher after the wedding.Lupe may have been in theemploy of President Diaz,the dictator who hadordered her exiled.
Niño Fidencio (1898-1938)1. Niño – innocent and childlike2. Always happy and laughing3. Cured President Plutarco EliasCalles and daughter4. Linked to Jesus Christ – diedat 33 (according to folk belief),disciples, cures, tunic, barefoot5. Prescribed laughter6. Two celebrations – birth(Christmas); death (Easter)
Niño gained nationwidepopularity in Mexicowhen he cured thedaughter of PresidentPlutarco Elias Calles.Niño also cured thepresident himself of aterrible illness.He performed cures andmiracles but ran ahospital-like facility,combining conventionaland traditional medicine.
El Niño as Christlike figure Died at age 33(according tofolklore)Had disciplesWore a tunicWent barefootMeditated on amountain
El Niño’s Legacy Today, there are two annualcelebrations which attract20,000 people to Espinazo,Mexico, to celebrate the birthand death of El Niño –analogous to Easter andChristmas.Fidencistas, followers of ElNiño, circle under the healingtree (El Pirulito) he used to situnder when he was alive.The healing tree, a Pirul treein Espinazo, has its owncaretaker. It is the first placethat petitioners to El Niño’sspirit go during thecelebrations
El Nino’s Legacy -- Continued Penitents walk, crawl,or roll down The Roadof Penance, El Caminode Penitencia.
These people are walking up to El Serro de la Campana (Bell’sMountain), like the garden of Gethsemane, to pray for healingpower, petition for cures, and to meditate there as El Niño didwhen he was alive.
Many climb into a small pond, called El Charquito,to partake of its miraculous waters. El Niño is said tohave bathed lepers here.
Crecensio Alvarado (Chenchito) [at left below], a well-knownCurandero, functions as a materia, or medium. Also known asCajitas, or “little boxes,” such mediums channel the spirit of ElNiño to perform healings. Cajitas may also channel other healingspirits, among them Don Pedrito, Teresita, and Aurorita, a littlegirl who was a healer.
El Niño in photo taken during his funeral. His death wasshrouded in rumor and mystery. Was his throat slit while hewas in a trance? Or did he die of exhaustion? (He slept only 3hours per night because of his intensive healing activities.)
Commonalities of Los Tres Grandes1.)2.)3.)4.)5.)6.)7.)Gift, don, from God to healConsidered somewhat odd or crazyNever charged a fee, but accepted donationsNoble, sincere and humbleCharismatic leadersConsidered folk saints while still aliveEl Niño (according to folk belief) and Teresitawere 33 when they died
Commonalities of Los Tres Grandes(Continued)8.)9.)Power of prophecyDon Pedrito healed through faith – the OralRoberts of his time10.) Teresita healed through hypnosis and prophecy –the Jean Dixon of her time11.) El Niño healed through laughter – the NormanCousins of his time12.) All requested coffins be opened in three days
V. Modern Curanderos(as)1.)2.)3.)4.)Maria (Houston) – uses plants to heal andpsychic healingCirilo Sanchez (San Antonio) -exorcismsJewel Babb (Valentine) – massage therapyand herbsElena Avila (Albuquerque) – spiritualcleansing rituals
Maria, Curandera and psychic fromHouston, Texas; uses plant rituals
Maria’s clients represent a cross-section of society –here there are insurance salesmen, dressmakers,maids, etc.
Psychic healing: Clients bring plants to Maria, who keeps themfor a week; she then tells clients how to take care of them, and theplants “absorb” the clients’ illnesses – a transfer of disease fromperson to plant through ritual.
Cirilo Sanchez of San Antonio came from Mexico in 1913;apprenticed under a relative; uses rituals involving candles,smoking incense, swords, religious icons; induces curativetrances. His patients are sometimes referred by physicians.
Misfortune, illness both caused by evil spirits – Cirilo Sanchezinvents exorcisms, speaks to evil spirits through himself asmedium and performs hypnosis therapy to chase evil spiritsaway, at his invisible Hospital of St. John’s.
The Power of Belief: If the patient believes, CiriloSanchez knows he can help him or her because thepower of faith is an integral factor in the healingprocess.
Jewel Babb of Valentine, Texas; “Goat Woman ofWest Texas”; was the only doctor in Valentine Used massage therapy,prayerDiscovered growingpower at age 56Kept Aloe Vera in herhomeTalked to GodDid not charge forservices
“The Goat Woman of West Texas”: Lived in Sierra Blanca in acabin on a ridge; husband was a champion rodeo rider; lost land,moved to Valentine; clients visited her home at all hours; she had aspecial way with the goats she kept (hence her unusual nickname).
Jewel Babb performing massage therapy on a youngchild.
Jewell Babb massaging baby.
Elena Avila of Albuquerque, NM; aregistered nurse-turned-curandera whocleanses the spirit through ritual. In addition to the eggritual, employs eaglefeathers for spiritualcleansingsConsiders herself anheir to ancient Aztechealing traditionsParticularly powerfuland effective in hertreatment of women’straumas
VI. Curanderismo ClassesCourses have been taking place in Mexico and/orat the University of New Mexico for the pastthree years. Two of the annual courses havebeen collaborations between the University ofNew Mexico and La Tranca Institute ofHealing in Cuernavaca. Another, held inOaxaca, is sponsored by the UNM School ofMedicine.
Curanderismo Class, Summer 2002,UNM CampusThis photo depicts an Albuquerque-area healer, Lydia Vandiver, D.O.M.(Doctor of Oriental Medicine), working with a patient. She is using “cupping,”or ventosos, to help diagnose illnesses, improve circulation, and alleviate muscletension.
2002 UNM Class, ContinuedDr. Torres receives therapy from Paula Terero, a Reiki Masterwho incorporates Reiki into curanderismo.
2002 UNM Class, continuedTeresa Crosier, D.O.M., an Albuquerque-area healer, demonstrates preparationof herbs and tinctures for students.
Cuernavaca, Summer 2003From left, Arturo Ornelas Lizardi, Director of La Tranca Institute of Healing inCuernavaca, Mexico, a teaching center for doctors, nurses, and lay healers incuranderismo techniques; Doña Vicenta, a venerated curandera of the CentralMexico region; and a translator.
Cuernavaca 2003, continuedA Mexican curandero, Don Ricardo, a well-known healer from a village nearCuernavaca, demonstrates an egg ritual for American students from theUniversity of New Mexico
Traditional Mexican Healing Certificate Program Offered through the Center for Continuing Education, University of New Mexico First certificate program of its kind in the U.S. 9-10 modules totaling 400 hours Instructors are healers and faculty from Mexico City area and Cuernavaca, Mexico
Tbe bealtb and sickness folk belief system, particularly the Mexican-American, sbares its beritage witb today's scientific medicine in classical Hippocratic concepts [Kosko and Flaskemd 1987; Ripley 1986; Cbesney et al. 1980]. Folk medicine originated in tbe bumoral medicine of Westem Europe, in
Eugenio, 2007 classifies Philippine Folk Literature into three major groups: Folk narratives, folk speech, and folk songs. Folk narratives can either be in prose - the alamat (folklore), the legend, and the kuwentong bayan (folktale) - or in verse, as in the case of the folk narratives. Folk speech includes the bugtong (riddle) and .
Folk medicine is practiced by a majority of the Mexican population while in Mexico, especially among the poor and uninsured.19 It is therefore no surprise that these beliefs survive andresurface once people and populations cross international borders. There are many types of alternative or folk medicine practitioners among the Hispanic
intangible cultural heritage and non-material-traditional literature : folk tales, folk wisdom, folk poetry, etc., folk songs and instruments and folk dances, folk visual art in various traditional media (stone, wood, metal, etc.) and ofall genres as well as handcrafting and homemade handmade objects.
2.2.1 Classification of folk dance culture . Chinese folk dances are divided into two categories: Han folk dances and ethnic folk dances. Ethnic folk dances; if functionally dividedthey can be divided into sacrificial dances, , self-entertainment dancesceremonial dances, and production, Labor dance and other types. ; from
Folk Music The purpose of folk music is to tell stories or to disseminating information. Folk music typically originates from an anonymous hearth. As people migrate, folk music travels with them as part of the diffusion of folk culture. Popular Music Popular music is deliberately written to be sold and performed. While some forms of
A) Folk culture would not exist without small scale and local migration. B) Folk culture does not diffuse through relocation diffusion. C) Several elements of folk culture may have multiple, unknown origins. D) Folk culture can only be transmitted orally across time and location. E) Several elements of folk culture tend to replace elements of .
The historical links between the government and the Mexican population . transnational relations between the state and its migrant population and examining contemporary developments from a broader perspective. . of Mexican Americans and its implications for relations between the organised
