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Traditional Medicine/CURANDERISMO within the Hispanic/Latino population. What’s the point???. When we’re selective about the options we consider. This limits our ability to solve problems. It’s far better to open our minds to all possible solutions/options.
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Traditional Medicine/CURANDERISMO within the Hispanic/Latino population
What’s the point??? When we’re selective about the options we consider. This limits our ability to solve problems. It’s far better to open our minds to all possible solutions/options.
Latino and Asian Populations in the US and NC, 2000 • The Latino population • 12.5% of the US population (35.3 million) • 4.7% of the NC population (378,963) • The Asian Population • 3.6% of the US Population (10.2 million) • 1.4% of the NC population (113,689) • U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
Demographic Data - Latinos in US • Majority of Latino immigrants employed in agriculture, construction, food services, landscaping, and factories • Despite high levels of employment, nearly 60% of Latinos live in families with incomes below 200% of the poverty level (US)
Respeto/Respect Famialismo Non-Verbal expressions Time Concept Machismo Chauvinism Religious Values Marianismo Hispanic Cultural Views
Language Cultural differences Lack of insurance Lack of transportation Knowledge of services No phone Hours of services offered Immigration status Residency requirement Public charge Barriers to Care
Culturally Sensitive interview(Non Verbal Communication Styles) • Hispanics tend to touch people with whom they are speaking. • They tend to sit and stand closer than Anglos. • Shake hands or engage in an introductory embrace kissing on the cheek, hugging. • Interpret prolonged eye contact as disrespectful.
Antojos are cravings in a pregant woman. It is thought by many that failure to satisfy the cravings may lead to injury to the baby, including genetic defects. • Ataque de nervios are episodic, dramatic outbursts of negative emotion - usually in response to a current stressor (but often related to a significant childhood stressor). • Barrevillos are obsessions. • Bilis is thought to be bile flowing into the blood stream after a traumatic event, with the end result of nervousness. • Caida de la mollera is the presence of a sunken fontanelle in an infant. • Decaiminientos is fatigue and listlessness from a spiritual cause. • Dercernsos are fainting spells.
Empacho is intestinal obstruction and is characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, anorexia, or gas and bloating. Post-partum women and infants and children are most susceptible. Mal de Ojo is the "Evil Eye" that may affect infants or women. It is caused by a person with a "strong eye" (especially green or blue) looking with admiration or jealousy at another person. Mal de Ojo is avoided by touching an infant when admiring or complimenting it.Nerviosimo is "sickness of the nerves" and is common and may be treated spiritually and/or medicinally. Pasmo is paralysis or paresis of extremities or face and is treated with massage. Susto is fright resulting in "soul loss." Susto may be acute or chronic and includes a variety of vague complaints. Women are are affected more than men.
COMMON HOME REMEDY Tea from Herbs, Spices or Fruits Not unusual for Sick Person to use: • Prayer • Folk/Herbal Medicine All at the sametime • Prescription Drugs from Friends • Prescription Drugs from Physicians
Folk Remedies Everyone Should Know (+ indicates yes, with + being least and +++ being most; - indicates no, with - being least and - - - most, i.e., - - - in the safety column indicates the treatment is significantly dangerous. ? ? ? indicates the information is not known to the author.)
Spanish Name English Name Uses Efficacy Safety Ajo Garlic Hypertension, antibiotic, cough syrup, tripaida + +++ Azarcón/ Greta Lead/mercury oxides Empacho, teething - - - - - Damiana Damiana Aphrodisiac, frio en la matriz, chickenpox 0 + Estafiate Wormwood Worms, colic, diarrhea, cramps, bilis, empacho + purge - - Eucalipto Eucalyptus (Vicks Vapor Rub) Coryza, asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis + respiratory Sx; 0 TB + Gobernadora Chaparral Arthritis (poultice); tea for cancer, venereal disease, tuberculosis, cramps, pasmo, analgesic + as a poultice0 as a tea - - - (internal) Gordolobo Mullein Cough suppressant, asthma, coryza, tuberculosis + Cough; 0 asthma, TB, coryza + + (if right species)
Manzanilla Chamomile Nausea, flatus, colic, anxiety; eyewash + except eyewash = 0 + + (if no allergy) Orégano Oregano Coryza, expectorant, menstrual difficulties, worms 0/ + except worms = 0 + Pasionara Passion flower Anxiety, hypertension + + + sedative + + (if right species) Rodigiosa Bricklebush Adult onset diabetes, gallbladder disease ? ? ? ? ? ? Ruda Rue Antispasmodic, abortifacient, empacho, insect repellent ? ? ? - - - (internal, external)
Saliva Sage Prevent hair loss, coryza, diabetes ? ? ? - - (chronic use) Tilia Linden flower Sedative, hypertension, diaphoretic + sedative, other = ? ? ? - - (chronic use) Tronadora Trumpet flower Adult onset diabetes, gastric symptoms, chickenpox ? ? ? ? ? ? Yerba buena Peppermint Dyspepsia, flatus, colic, susto + + + Zábila Aloe vera External - cuts, burnsInternal - purgative, immune stimulant External + + +Internal +/? ? ? External + +Internal - - - Zapote blanco Sapodilla Insomnia, hypertension, malaria ? ? ? ? ? ?
CURANDERISMO • There is a widespread belief in Mexico that when a rich person is ill, it is time to go to a doctor. When the rich person is desperately ill, it is time to seek the help of a curandero (healer). When the poor person is ill, the first alternative is to find a curandero. It is only when the poor person is desperately sick that it is time to go to a doctor. • Most Mexicans, especially those who live in the less developed areas, use herbal remedies and other folk treatment, such as healing massage, with such confidence as a U.S. citizen might in taking an aspirin.
CURANDERISMO • Curanderismo is the art of folk healing by a curandero. • Healers can be either male or female and may even specialize in their practice.
Origins of Curanderismo • Curanderismo in Mexico is based on Aztec, Mayan, and Spanish influences. • The ancient natives believed that the delicate balance existed between health, nature, and religion. • Illness occurred when one of these areas were out of balance
Three most common types of Curanderos • Yerbero (herbalist) • Partera (midwife) • Sobador (masseur) • The Curandero has the skill to treat a wide variety of illnesses, he is the only healer in the culture who can treat mal puesto, illnesses caused by witchcraft
Curandero’s Treatments • Curandero’s treatments may consist of • ceremonies • rituals • herbal remedies • potions • countermagic
CURANDEROS • Curandero’s work on three levels • the material • the spiritual • the mental • He may prescribe a herbal remedy or conduct a religious ritual. Quite often a curandero is called upon to treat the physical symptoms that patients believe come from supernatural causes
CURANDERISMO • The practice of Curanderismo teaches that it is not enough to simply diagnose a physical problem but the Curandero needs to look at the heart and the soul of the person to understand the true illness. • Only medicine that deals with the “whole being” can effectively create a “whole cure”
CURANDERISMO • True healing can only be effective if it has some spiritual basis. • The patient will need to call upon that divine energy to help guide them in their healing. • The belief with modern medicine is that the body goes to the doctor, the mind to the psychiatrist, and the soul and spirit go to the church.
CURANDERISMO • The Curandero treats the person on three levels • The Plática • The Limpia • The Soul Retrieval
CURANDERISMO • THE PLATICA is the portion of the healing process in which the Curandero learns about the patient through stories and also is an important part in educating the patient and beginning the healing session. • Items used : candles, incense, pictures of saints and lot of flowers present
CURANDERISMO • THE LIMPIA is the portion of the healing process that starts the healing of the soul, the mind, and the body. • Objects used: whole raw egg. glass of water, Copal, hot charcoal, herbs (rosemary), variety of candles, feathers(Eagle) and prayer and/or chants.
CURANDERISMO • THE SOUL RETRIEVAL is the process in which the Curandero attempts to find where the soul was lost. • Items used: Drums, chants, rattles and on some occasions music
Other objects used in their healing sessions • Herbs and spices • eggs and lemons • flowers and fruits • holy water and pictures of saints • crucifixes and candles • incense and oils *Each object has a specific purpose.
Mal de Ojo (evil eye) One may interpret this behavior of the (Evil Eye) look, glance, or state of someone who is an enemy or a stranger as an attempt to inoculate someone with this illness. Headaches, crying, irritability, and restlessness are common symptoms, accompanied by stomach ailments Symptom Profiles for Common Curandero Syndromes
Susto (extreme fright/fear) Susto is typically the result of a traumatic experience. In particular the symptoms of this disorder mimic those of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These symptoms include feeling keyed up or on edge, fatigue, restlessness, a significant change in appetite, bodily complaints, withdrawal and other symptoms of depression.
Mal puesto (hexing) Hexes may be placed by someone who is familiar with witchcraft. Symptoms may include a host of somatic complaints and gastrointestinal problems. Paranoia and anxiety may also be symptoms.
Empacho A condition in which food becomes stuck in the intestines causing a blockage. It is caused by eating the wrong kinds of foods, or mixing infant formula with milk. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and a lump in the abdomen. It is treated with herbal teas, abdominal massage, and a restricted diet at home or in combination with a folk healer’s care.
ENVIDIA (ENVY) • ENVIDIA is when someone envies you. • Symptoms may include feeling sick on the stomach, having a sense of dread, feeling sad but not knowing why. It can lead to a person having “bad luck”. • It is believed that if a pregnant woman has envidia the baby can be born with birth defects or be born very sick.
Benefits of Curanderismo • Curanderismo is used to treat ailments arising from physical, psychological, spiritual, or social conditions. • Illness is said to be caused by either natural or supernatural forces.
Training & certification • Curandero’s are generally trained informally. The information is passed from generation to generation. • Often a curandero starts out as an apprentice to a more experienced curandero.
HERBAL TEAS TE RUDA CON CHOCOLATE USED TO HELP SPEED UP CHILD BIRTH
HERBAL TEAS TE ESTAFIATE • USED FOR STOMACH PROBLEMS/ GASTRITIS, ETC.
HERBAL TEAS TE MANZANILLA (CHAMOMILE) USED FOR BABIES WITH COLIC, CALM MINOR STOMACH PROBLEMS
HERBALTEAS TE ROMERO (ROSEMARY) (BATH) USED TO CALM CHILLS, CAUSED BY INFECTIONS
HERBAL TEAS BATH (LIMON, CEBOLLA, SAVILA Y ALCHOOL) USED TO LOWER BODY TEMPERATURE /FEVER
HERBAL TEAS TE EPAZOTE USED TO CLEAN THE STOMACH OUT AFTER CHILD BIRTH
HERBAL TEAS TE ARTRIZAN (ALSO APPLY TO INFLAMED AREA OF THE BODY) USED TO TREAT ARTHRITIS, HELPS WITH INFLAMATION
HERBAL TEAS TE DAMIANA USED TO HELP MAKE MENSTRUAL CYCLE MORE REGULAR (STORY)
HERBAL TEAS TE NEGRO USED TO HELP GET PREGNANT (FOR LA MATRIZ FRIA)