Curanderismo Overview Presentation

Curanderismo: The Art of Traditional Mexican Folk Healing Curanderismo *  Curanderismo is the art of Mexican Folk Healing, from the word curar, meaning to heal *  Curanderismo uses an holistic approach to healing – treating body, mind, and spirit *  Who is a curandero/a? *  Traditional healer working in Material, Spiritual and Mental levels. *  Can have a Don (gift) *  Can be an apprentice *  Can attend school – Centro de Desarrollo Hacia la Comunidad Influences of Curanderismo 1.  A blend of Native American and Spanish Roots 2.  Judeo-­‐Christian – Gift from God and belief in God 3.  Greek Humoral – Equilibrium of hot and cold 4.  Arabic – Directing psychic energy 5.  African – Santeria blend of Catholic saints and African orichas 6.  Spiritualism and psychic – spiritual trances and communication with spirits 7.  Scientific – Germ theory, psychology and biomedicine History *  1519 – Spaniards arrived in Mexico *  1521 – Tenochitlan & 3,000 medicinal plants destroyed *  1552 – Martin de la Cruz, Aztec Indian doctor, wrote first book (listing 251 herbs) on medicinal plants at School of Santa Cruz de Tlaltelolco; written 31 years after conquest of Mexico *  1554 – Cervantes de Salazar described Montezuma II’s gardens; physicians experimented with hundreds of medical herbs Pages from Codex Badiano Curandero’s 3 Levels of Knowledge *  Material – Plants, candles, oils, incense, tinctures, microdosis, amulets, etc. *  Spiritual – Curandero as medium; soul concept *  Mental – channels mental vibrations to patient Material Level Plants, candles, oils, incense, tinctures, microdosis, amulets, etc. Spiritual and Mental Levels Evil Eye – Mal de Ojo caused by excessive admiration Magical Fright – Susto caused by a traumatic experience and related to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Other rituals Caida de Mollera (“tossing baby”) causing a fallen fontanellle Empacho (bolus of food lodged in digestive tract) causing intestinal blockage Bilis (suppressed anger) causing excessive bile in the system Muina (outward rage) causing an inability to talk Traditional Summer Class at University of New Mexico in Folk Healing *  Two-­‐week in-­‐person class has been offered every summer since 2002 *  Class sessions are held at the University of New Mexico’s Main Campus in Albuquerque *  Course features modules on the history of curanderismo, as well as some hands-­‐on learning with healers from Mexico *  Participants study herbs, rituals, folk medicines, important figures in healing *  Visit: http://curanderismo.unm.edu for more information Online Class at University of New Mexico in Folk Healing *  Two Types: *  Inaugural semester credit class kicked off in Spring 2014 Semester *  Free Massive Open Online Class (MOOC) *  Three 6-­‐week courses dealing with healing the body, spirit/energy and cultural traditions. *  All courses feature modules on various topics including: * 
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Fire cupping (ventosas) Juice therapy (jugo terapia) Energetic cleansings (limpias energeticas) Medicinal plants (plantas medicinales) Laugh therapy (risa terapia) Healing through music And Much More! Introduction to Curanderismo by Drs. Ornelas and Torres Dr. Arturo Ornelas and Dr. Eliseo Torres discuss the art of Curandersimo during the online class. Partial list of popular plants for traditional medicinal uses Arnica (Arnica montana) Indications: *  Insect bites *  Sprains *  Wound healing Chaya (Cnidoscolus chayamansa) Indications: *  Nutritional supplement *  Diuretic *  Vitamins, Calcium, Iron *  Antidiabetics Damiana (Turnera diffusa) Indications: *  Anxiety *  Aphrodisiac *  Asthma *  Colic *  Mild indigestion Manzanilla/Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Indications: *  Anti-­‐inflammatory *  Anxiety *  Colic *  Eyewash *  Fever *  Headaches *  Insomnia *  Nausea *  Sedative Romero / Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Indications: *  Alzheimer’s *  Circulation enhancer *  Menstration enhancer *  postpartum bath Tepezcohuite (Mimosa tenuiflora) Indications: *  Acne *  Burns *  Scars *  Wound healing *  Wrinkles Uña de Gato/Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) Indications: *  Anti-­‐inflammatory *  Kidney “cleanser” *  Viral infections, *  Wound healing *  Immunosuppressants Medicinal Plants of the Southwest Dr. Tomas Enos gives a demonstration of medicinal plants of the Southwest during this online presentation. Benefits: Plants can help with liver, sleeping, detox, infusions, etc. Sacred Tobacco Healing of Peru and New Mexico herbology Mino and Bernadette demonstrate tobacco healing practices during the online class. Benefits: Tobacco is used for spiritual cleansings and some ailments. Temazcal demonstrations Rita Navarrete demonstrates the ritual of the temazcal in this online class presentation. Benefits: In Mesoamerica, used as a curative ceremony to purify the body. Now being recovered in Mexico, South Americas and the Southwest to cleanse body, mind and spirit. •  Releases toxins through sweating. • 
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Moves Lymphatic system through exfoliation. Traditional Temezcal Oaxaca, Mexico Courtesy of Laura de Franklin Meditation after an experience in a temazcal Courtesy of Laura Alonzo de Franklin Laura builds her temazcal in Los Lunas, NM Tonita’s Temazcal Tonantzin in Albuquerque Ventosas or firecupping Rita demonstrates firecupping or “ventosas” during this online demonstration. Benefits: Mobilizes blood flow to promote healing, digestive problems and pain. Empacho or intestinal blockage Tana demonstrates the technique of removing an intestinal blockage or “empacho” as part of the online class. Benefits: Alleviates bloating, diarrhea and vomiting Limpia or spiritual cleansing Laurencio gets ready to perform a spiritual cleansing or “limpia” on Cheo during this session of the online class. Benefit: A number of elements such as egg, herbs, copal incense, candle and water/
mezcal can be used to absorb and sweep negative vibration. Risa terapia or laugh therapy The group learns about laugh therapy or “risa terapia” from Rita in this online class demonstration. Benefits: •  Increases natural pain killer cells – Endorphins •  Suppresses stress hormones -­‐ -­‐Epinephrine •  Helps cellular immune response •  Exercises lungs, circulatory system and oxygen to the blood •  Reduces stress and anxiety Mayan Acupuncture Sofia demonstrates Mayan acupuncture in this segment of the online class. Benefits: Relief of pain, sciatica, tensions, headaches, etc. Geotherapy (clay therapy) Tonita Gonzales practices geotherapy on a patient in this online demonstration. Benefits: Use of clay for inflammations and stimulation of blood circulation, toning of skin and absorption of toxins. Jugo Terapia or Juice Therapy Tonita and Rita demonstrate juice therapy during the online class. Benefits: For body’s toxicity and deficiency because of variety of nutrients. Manteadas or Shawl Allignment Rita demonstrates the shawl alignment or “manteada” technique during the online class. Benefits: Gentle massages for pregnancies, the elderly and children. UNM Curanderismo Summer Class Photos The egg in the treatment of Mal de Ojo is being analyzed for certain patterns .
Morning Ritual Arturo Ornelas Lizardi, Director of La Tranca Institute of Healing, Cuernvaca, Mexico, leading morning ritual Father & Daughter Curanderos from Amatlan, Mexico–Representing Passage of Ancient Knowledge from Generation to Generation Roberto, a Mayan native healer specializes in Mayan traditional healing. Day of the Dead altar and presentation by Dr. Anselmo Torres emphasizes the spiritual part of curanderismo .
Tonita from Albuquerque apprenticed with curandera Rita in Mexico for one year and is now practicing traditional healing in NM Velia preparing the copal incense for the opening ceremony Rita in opening ceremony using copal for a limpia Dr. Terry Crowe’s Oaxaca Curanderismo Course Curanderos Laurencio Lopez, Doña Telesphora, ecotourist specialist, Claudia Schurr and Professor Cheo Torres in curandera’s humble home Partera/midwife, Doña Cata demonstrates childbirth on Julie Curandera Doña Rosario demonstrates a spiritual cleansing (limpia) on Jenny Julie buying herbs at a mercado yerberia (herb store) Preparing a shampoo using aloe vera gel for hair growth Curandero Laurencio performing a limpia using an egg on Tanya (a medical student) to absorb negative vibrations Curandera Elizabeth from the Oaxacan Coffee Plantation, El Mamey, mentors a group of future curanderos(as) who are children practicing traditional medicine Photo credit : Yves Chavan Brian is receiving a water limpia (spiritual cleansing) from a young curandero in training in the river, an ancient tradition that is being revived Photo credit : Yves Chavan UNM students are participating in a circle of fire ceremony Photo credit: Yves Chavan Julie is receiving a spiritual cleansing by the children in training with the usage of tobacco smoke Photo credit : Yves Chavan Integrative/Complimentary /Alternative Medicine *  Of the 130 U.S. Accredited Medical Schools, 100 cover Alternative/Complimentary/Integrative Medicine -­‐According to the Association of American Medical Colleges *  In New Mexico we have: * 
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UNM’s Center for Life – Dr. Arti Prasad Ayurveric Institute Sanjevani Integrative Medical Center Southwest Acupuncture College Today, Curanderismo has influenced the revival of Alternative/
Complementary/Holistic Integrated Medicine, including: *  $21 Billion in Consumer Spending *  Andrew 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 Weil & Don Pedrito Modern “Integrative Medicine” specialist-­‐-­‐emphasizes holistic, common-­‐sense approach to treatment and healing Nineteenth Century Mexican Folk Healer – emphasized holistic, common-­‐sense approach to treatment and healing Modern Influence of Three Great Curanderos/as *  Don Pedrito Jaramillo (1829-­‐1907) *  Teresita (1873-­‐1906) *  Niño Fidencio (1898-­‐1938 Don Pedrito (1829-­‐1907) * 
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Healer of Los Olmos Adopted Severiano Barrera Investigated by U.S. Post Office Prescribed water, baths, & mud One of the most powerful men in the Southwest during his lifetime Teresita (1873-­‐1906) *  Illegitimate daughter of poor Indian peasant and wealthy aristocratic farmer *  Apprenticed under Huila *  Powers of hypnosis and prophecy *  Fled to Nogales and El Paso *  Buried in Clifton, Arizona When she was 19, the president of Mexico banished Teresita to Nogales, Arizona, calling her a “dangerous agitator,” and sent 500 armed men to enforce the exile. She moved to El Paso, Texas, where she healed 200 patients a day. Rebels attacking Mexico from New Mexico called themselves Teresistas in her honor, and wore pictures of her pinned to their shirts. Niño Fidencio (1898-­‐1938) *  El Niño – innocent and childlike *  Always happy and laughing *  Cured President Plutarco Elias Calles and daughter *  Linked to Jesus Christ – died at 33 (according to folk belief), disciples, cures, tunic, barefoot *  Prescribed laughter *  Two celebrations – birth (Christmas); death (Easter) Crecensio Alvarado (Chenchito) [at left below], a well-­‐known Curandero, functions as a materia, or medium. Also known as Cajitas, or “little boxes,” such mediums channel the spirit of El Niño to perform healings. Cajitas may also channel other healing spirits, among them Don Pedrito, Teresita, and Aurorita, a little girl who was a healer. Commonalities of Los Tres Grandes * 
Considered somewhat odd or crazy * 
Never charged a fee, but accepted donations * 
Noble, sincere and humble * 
Charismatic leaders * 
Considered folk saints while still alive * 
El Niño (according to folk belief) and Teresita were 33 when they died Power of prophecy * 
Don Pedrito healed through faith – the Oral Roberts of his time * 
Teresita healed through hypnosis and prophecy – the Jean Dixon of her time * 
El Niño healed through laughter – the Norman Cousins of his time * 
All requested coffins be opened in three days Modern Curanderos(as) Jewel Babb of Valentine, Texas; “Goat Woman of West Texas”; was the only doctor in Valentine * 
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Used massage therapy, prayer Discovered growing power at age 56 Kept Aloe Vera in her home Talked to God Did not charge for services Elena Avila of Albuquerque, NM; a registered nurse-­‐turned-­‐
curandera who cleanses the spirit through ritual. *  In addition to the egg ritual, employed eagle feathers for spiritual cleansings *  Considered herself an heir to ancient Aztec healing traditions *  Particularly powerful and effective in her treatment of women’s traumas Chenchito *  A well-­‐known Fidencista, who has been a materia (curandero), all his life. *  He channels the spirit of the famous Curandero, Nino Fidencio, and is Cheo’s teacher. Rita Navarette *  Rita has been practicing Traditional Healing for over 28 years. *  Started her practice in Mexico city, and has continued it in Cuernavaca, and Jilotepec. *  Rita is known as an educator of Risaterapia (Laugh Therapy), and Temazcal (Mexican Sweatlodge), and teaches classes in Temazcal, Massage, and Medicinal Plants. Laurencio Nunez *  Learned to be a curandero from his grandmother. *  Practices in Oaxaca, Mexico, and specializes in temazcals, limpias and medicinal plants. Maria Adoracion Ortiz Nava (Doris) *  Doris learned from her grandmother who was a healer for more than 20 years. *  She has an extensive knowledge of medicinal plants, including their spiritual and scientific components. *  She also has a community clinic. Albertana Sanchez Flores (Tana) *  Tana practices traditional medicine in the community clinic at CEDEHC. *  She specializes in all types of chronic illness, and with empacho (intestinal blockage) Juan Carlos Solano Alcocer *  Juan Carlos is the director of “OME”, clinic of traditional medicine, and temazcal. *  He is known for his healing modalities with obsidiana (obsidian) and caracol (conch shell sound). Velia Herrera Arredondo *  Velia specializes in Mexican sobadas (hands on healing), limpias (energetic cleansings), and medicinal plants. *  She has a consultation clinic. Tonita Gonzales *  Tonita completed her studies of Traditional Medicine at Centro de Desarollo Humano Hacia La Comunidad (CEDEHC), in Mexico. *  She was an apprentice with curandera Rita Navarrete Perez, working in Mexico City and Jilotepec. *  She has a clinic and temazcal in the North Valley of Albuquerque. Curanderismo *  Is not just a healing modality, but rather choosing a lifestyle, of consciousness. *  To be healthy, we need to understand that we have to be balanced physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. *  -­‐ Tonita Gonzales