Harmony and healing: the practices of curanderismo

by Barbra Williams Cosentino R.N., C.S.W.

Harmony and Healing "In Western medicine the body goes to the hospital, the mind to the psychiatrist, and the soul and spirit to church. In curanderismo, the healing takes place under one roof," says Elena Avila, R.N., M.S.N., a psychiatric nurse specialist, curandera (native healer), and author of Woman Who Glows in the Dark.

All the tools for healing already reside within each individual, Avila says, adding that "Curanderas accompany you to the door of healing and assist you in crossing the threshold."

Curanderismo, (from the Spanish word curar, "to heal") is an eclectic health care system that blends Spanish, Native American and African medicine, and has practitioners in every Hispanic region in North, Central and South America. Folk healers from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and North American healers from Albuquerque to the Bronx and the barrios in Texas share many similarities in their use of ancient healing rituals, spiritual cleansings, and special herbal remedies. Yet, they have differences colored by their interactions with the indigenous populations of the Americas.

The baby was only a few months old, when she became ill. First there was fever, accompanied by thick, greenish diarrhea and profuse vomiting. She became weepy and withdrawn, showing little interest in suckling, and her cocoa-colored skin developed a bluish tint. Soon, the terrified mother noticed that her babys left eye appeared to be shrinking, actually appearing smaller than the right.

The village doctor was unable to help. The desperate family visited a curandero, a native healer who is believed to serve as a conduit of divine healing, who diagnosed "ee ich tabi tu menta ojo," or evil eye, an illness that affects already weak or malnourished children between two and 12 months of age. Caused by the gaze of an admiring person—perhaps a drunk or someone who has an astigmatism in their eyes—who "has the desire to hug and hold the child but does not carry through with the desire," the disorder results in an imbalance in the childs normal thermal state.

Effective treatments are unusual by traditional standards of Western medicine. If the admirer was a pregnant woman, the feathers of a vulture or parakeet must be burnt beneath the childs hammock. For "Eye of the Drunk," the recommended treatment consists of lifting the baby nine times in the air, hugging her, applying two crushed leaves of the herb rue to the forehead, and then making the sign of a cross followed by a bath in sugar cane liquor and a healing incantation.

According to Jeanne Achterberg, Ph.D., a psychologist and researcher who has studied shamanism extensively, in the Native American tradition sickness and disease are commonly believed to be caused by "some disharmony in the cosmic order, as well as hexing, breaking a taboo, fright or soul loss." An underlying belief is that illness is Gods will or the manifestation of the displeasure or anger of a saint or spirit.

Diseases are classified in two ways:

• Supernatural or spiritual disorders that may be inflicted intentionally on the victim by mystical or malevolent forces, such as a witch or an evil wind
• "Natural" or organic illnesses

Curanderismo is based on the belief that the mind and body are inseparable, with illness often occurring as the result of strong emotional distress. Such disorders include

• Bilis, caused by rabia (rage)
• Susto (soul loss), caused by sudden fright or extreme fear
• Envidida, resulting from pathological jealousy

Illness may also result from disequilibrium in the physical realm caused by an imbalance of "hot" and "cold" substances in the body.

Examples of "hot" diseases include:

• Diabetes
• Acid indigestion
• Hypertension (believed to be caused by anger or fear)

"Cold" diseases include:

• Menstrual cramps
• Pneumonia
• Colic

Most curanderos (men) and curanderas (women) believe that their power to heal comes from a divine source, with divine energy being channeled through their bodies, which enables them to facilitate health and well-being for others. Curanderas, who are highly respected in their local communities, are either born into a family with a tradition of curanderismo or receive the gift of healing later in life. Like many other medical practitioners, they tend to specialize in treating certain disorders and to utilize certain types of treatments.

Yerberas - specialists of herbal remedies who use herbs, roots and teas brewed from plant leaves to treat disorders such as asthma, heart problems and ulcers. (Herbs may be used by other types of curanderas as well).

Sobardoras - massage therapists who use massage and acupressure techniques to treat blockages in the stomach or digestive tract, constipation and indigestion. Massage is also used to relax the body and the muscles, and to soothe patients who are frightened or in pain.

La parteras - midwives who attend births and provide prenatal, postpartum and well-woman care.

Consejeras - provide counseling for problems ranging from grief to shyness to bereavement, and utilize platicas (heart to heart talks) to relieve sadness, anxiety and emotional pain.

Curandera totales - the most powerful healers, gifted in utilizing herbs, midwifery, massage and spiritual techniques. They are often consulted when previous treatments have failed.

To relieve the physical and spiritual manifestations of illness, curanderas use a number of special tools and treatments. These include:

Limpias - spiritual cleansings, done by \"sweeping\" the body with a bundle of herbs or an eagle feather to remove negative energies. Often an egg is first rubbed over the body, broken and placed in a glass of water, allowing the practitioner to \"read\" the persons energy so the treatment can be individualized.

Soul retrievals - ritual ceremonies done for clients who are suffering from soul loss, which can be caused by early abandonment, traumas such as rape, or unresolved grief for loved ones lost by death or divorce. Soul retrievals allow people to reclaim lost parts of themselves so they can be fully integrated and whole.

Healing ceremonies - these may incorporate holding or burying symbolic articles, fasting, prayer, religious artifacts, chanting, drumming or drinking specially prepared infusions.

"Curanderismo teaches that humans are physical, emotional, mental and spiritual beings. When all aspects of a person are in harmony with the inner self and the universe, the soul is intact," says Avila.

Physical and psychological well-being, a body free from disease, a mind free from angst, and a peaceful soul overflowing with the warmth of emotional and spiritual sustenance. Sounds wonderful. Does anybody have an extra eagle feather lying around?