Curanderismo: Mexican American Folk Healing

by Robert T. Trotter II, Juan Antonio Chavira, Luis D. León (Foreword)

The practice of curanderismo, or Mexican American folk medicine, is part of a historically and culturally important health care system deeply rooted in native Mexican healing techniques. This is the first book to describe the practice from an insider's point of view, based on the authors' three-year apprenticeships with curanderos (healers).

Robert T. Trotter and Juan Antonio Chavira present an intimate view of not only how curanderismo is practiced but also how it is learned and passed on as a healing tradition. By providing a better understanding of why curanderos continue to be in demand despite the lifesaving capabilities of modern medicine, this text will serve as an indispensable resource to health professionals who work within Mexican American communities, to students of transcultural medicine, and to urban ethnologists and medical anthropologists.

Genres: Witchcraft

232 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1981

Reviews

[Bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Mexican American, I found this very helpful and informative. Growing up around curanderismo, and knowing about some of these things and having witnessed their effectiveness is not only amazing but validating. It can coexist with modern healthcare.

[Billy Wittenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

In depth discussion of the history and practice of the latin American art of curanderismo. This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in knowing more about the people who practice the traditional folk medicine as well as those who seek healing.