Curanderismo and Central and South American Healing Practices

Course overview

With a long and complex history, curanderismo, or indigenous medicine, is the broad healing tradition found in Mexico and Mexican American communities throughout the United States. For some Hispanics, conventional medicine has not been deemed effective or well received. As a result, folk medicine and curanderismo have experienced a revival during the past several decades as a legitimate part of an interdisciplinary and multicultural approach to health and healing. Comprehensive cultural competency must include knowledge and awareness of culturally based healing and wellness practices. The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe curanderismo and the healing practices of Central and South America as a way of supporting the important cultural and spiritual elements of those who use this medicine system.