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Other common
name(s): Latin American healing, Latin American folk
medicine, Curandismo
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Curanderismo is a form of folk healing that includes various
techniques such as prayer, herbal medicine, healing rituals,
spiritualism, massage, and psychic healing. It is a system of
traditional beliefs that are common in Hispanic-American communities,
particularly in the southwestern United States.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support the idea that
curanderismo is effective in treating cancer or any other disease.
However, there are some individual reports that curanderismo helps to
improve symptoms, reduce pain, and relieve stress.
How is it promoted for use?
While some aspects of curanderismo, such as using folk
remedies for minor illness, are practiced at home, many people seek out
specially trained folk healers called curanderos (male healers) or
curanderas (female healers). Curanderos’ knowledge of healing
may be passed down from close relatives or learned through
apprenticeships with experienced healers. In some cases, their healing
powers may be described as a divine gift received later in life. Most
curanderos say that their ability to heal involves divine energy being
channeled through their bodies.
In addition to the curanderos, there are yerberos
(herbalists), parteras (midwives), and sobadors or sobadoras (who use
massage, bone manipulation, acupressure, etc.), each of whom treat more
specific or limited problems. All of these healers may use herbs in
addition to their other treatment methods. Most of these healers do not
charge for their services, but they may accept donations.
Proponents claim curanderismo can be used to treat a wide
range of social, spiritual, psychological, or physical problems,
including headache, gastrointestinal distress, back pain, and fever, as
well as anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and depression. Bad luck,
marital discord, and illnesses caused by "loss of spirit" may be
treated by curanderos or curanderas. Treatment may involve physical,
spiritual, and mental approaches.
Practitioners believe good health is achieved by maintaining a
balance of hot and cold. In order to treat a person, curanderos often
classify that person's physical activities, food intake, drug
consumption, and illnesses as hot or cold and treat the person to
restore balance. Proponents also claim folk illnesses such as mal de ojo (the
evil eye), susto
(fright), and empacho
(blockage of the digestive tract) can be treated by curanderismo. In
these cases, the curandero may perform barridas (ritual
cleansing) to rebalance the body and soul of the sick person.
What does it involve?
Curanderismo techniques can involve the use of herbs, massage,
manipulation of body parts, spiritual rituals, and prayer -- either in
combination or by themselves. The healing often involves others in the
family and community.
The treatments given by curanderos can vary widely depending
upon the nature of the illness or complaint. For physical illnesses,
herbal mixtures, poultices, or teas are often recommended. One cure for
a headache is to place a slice of raw potato over each temple. Dandruff
is treated by rinsing hair with juice from the olivera plant, a type of
cactus. To reduce the size of an overly large "energy field," the
curandero may beat the air around the patient’s head with a
large feather, then roll an egg around the patient’s face
before cracking it open into a glass.
What is the history behind it?
Curanderismo evolved from the culture that grew out of the
Spanish colonization of Mexico hundreds of years ago. It takes its name
from the Spanish word curar,
meaning "to heal." The tradition combines aspects of both Catholicism
and the traditional folk medicine of the natives of Latin America.
Today, it is practiced in several Latin American countries as
well as in the United States. Because of its long history of cultural
connection, curanderismo remains popular among some Mexican-American
communities as an alternative form of medicine. Curanderismo has
remained popular among some of these communities because it offers a
spiritual treatment for problems that conventional medicine does not
recognize, such as evil spirits. Also, many people have turned to
curanderismo after conventional treatments have failed to cure their
disease or because they do not trust conventional methods.
What is the evidence?
Available scientific evidence does not support any claims that
curanderismo cures cancer or any other disease. However, some people
report it helps to reduce pain, relieve stress, and promote spiritual
peace. A study in 1977 that looked at the relationship between
Mexican-American populations and folk medicine suggested that
conventional medicine look more closely at curanderismo. Researchers
proposed that a better understanding of folk medicine, such as
curanderismo, might help physicians treat patients more effectively and
understand patients’ fears and beliefs. A more recent study
found that patients often seek treatment by curanderos alongside
conventional medical treatment.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
These
substances may have not been thoroughly tested to find out how they
interact with medicines, foods, or dietary supplements. Even though
some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Treatment by curanderos may involve taking unregulated herbs,
some of which may have harmful effects. In addition, the potential
interactions between herbal preparations and conventional drugs and
other herbs should be considered. Some of these combinations may be
dangerous. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you
are taking.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Alegria D, Guerra E, Martinez C Jr, Meyer GG. El hospital
invisible. A study of curanderismo. Arch Gen Psychiatry.
1977;34:1354-1357.
Allen H. Folk healer discusses art of 'curanderismo.' Yale
Daily News Online. Yale Daily News Website. Accessed at
http://www.yaledailynews.com/ onDecember 11, 1999. Content no longer
available.
Cosentino BW. Harmony and healing: the practices of
curanderismo. Swedish Medical Center Web site. Accessed at
http://www.swedish.org/16379.cfm?InFrame on March 20, 2007. Content no
longer available.
Graham J. Curanderismo. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State
Historical Association Web site. Accessed at
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/CC/sdc1.html on May
23, 2008.
Liñan L. Curanderismo: holistic healing. Denver
Public Schools Web site. Accessed at
http://www.dpsk12.org/programs/almaproject/pdf/Curanderismo.pdf on May
23, 2008.
National Institutes of Health. Alternative Medicine: Expanding
Medical Horizons: A Report to the National Institutes of Health on
Alternative Medical Systems and Practices in the United States.
Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1994. NIH publication
94-066.
Ness RC, Wintrob RM. Folk healing: a description and
synthesis. Am J
Psychiatry. 1981;138:1477-1481.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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