| Curanderismo, the traditional folk medicine of Mexico, is based on the
belief that the body, soul, spirit, and emotions have equal importance and are
intertwined in maintaining health. Key to this approach is the principle,
Corazon cura Corazon. (Heart heals Heart).
Under our very eyes, contemporary health care is being revolutionized-not
only by dramatic advances in science and technology but by an increased
acceptance of the validity of ancient and native medicines. As a clinical
psychiatric nurse specialist and curandera, my integrative approach to healing does
not exclude spirituality. Western medicine leaves out too much of what makes
up a human being-the soul, the patients spiritual beliefs, the complexity of
human experience, and the need for personalized integrative medicine.
Curanderismo, an amalgam of indigenous, Spanish and African healing traditions
practiced on this continent for hundreds of years is still relevant in the 21st
century. This approach to healing is holistic and unites the many bridges that
the Hispanic culture needs because it utilizes culturally appropriate methods
for curing disease, misfortune, and for diagnosis and treatment. I am a
curandera/nurse with deep roots in modern medicine and therefore ideally
suited to integrating ancient wisdom with modern knowledge.
Using this integrative approach to healing, I will address how I treat
clients using Platicas, Limpias, soul loss, folk disease and physical illness
using Curanderismo and Western Medicine. Curanderismo is still very much alive
and thriving. |