Revised Title "Curanderismo: Healing Holistically in Latino Communities"

The article name has been changed to "Curanderismo: Healing
Holistically in Latino Communities"


Curanderismo is a Latino holistic — mind, body and soul — approach to health, originating from the early colonial period Catholicism and pre-Columbian indigenous medicinal practices in Latin America. Because of the widespread dissemination of Catholicism during the early Spanish conquests of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South Americas, most Latinos are familiar with the basic practices and precepts of curanderismo. Within these geographical regions, there is diversity from one nation to another as well as intraethnic diversity in the practices and beliefs of curanderismo. Also known as Mexican folk medicine in the Southwestern U.S., it incorporates physical as well as spiritual and soul-related explanatory models of health and illness. There are no discrete lines between physical and mental health, similar in this respect to some traditional Eastern medicinal views. Treatable ailments encompass social, emotional, mental and physical problems.

A curandero, "male healer" in Spanish (or a curandera, “female healer” in Spanish), is often a respected and revered elder with spiritual gifts, whose job it is to tend to the health and psycho-spiritual needs of his community. Typically full of compassion, affection and good will, this person is an essential member of the local community who develops life-long bonds with the families he/she serves. He or she is the first person who people turn to in crisis, distress or spiritual discontentment, seeking consolation, understanding and, in some cases, divination. Prescribed treatments can range from herbs, massage, manipulation of body parts, spiritual rituals, exorcisms, and prayer — in combination or singly. A curandero consults and treats the entire family for an issue affecting one individual in the household as the ailment, curse, or spiritual issue may be viewed as affecting all members of the family.

Medical anthropologist Renaldo Maduro, PhD, states in his article, “Curanderismo and Latino Views of Disease and Curing,”  West J Med. 1983 December; 139(6): 868–874 that:

“There are eight major philosophical premises underlie a coherent curing world view of Latino patients: disease or illness may follow..

(1) strong emotional states (such as rage, fear, envy or mourning of painful  

      loss) or

(2) being out of balance or harmony with one's environment;

(3) a patient is often the innocent victim of malevolent forces;

(4) the soul may become separated from the body (loss of soul);

(5) cure requires the participation of the entire family;

(6) the natural world is not always distinguishable from the supernatural;

(7) sickness often serves the social function, through increased attention and rallying of the family around a patient, of reestablishing a sense of belonging (resocialization) and

(8) Latinos respond better to an open interaction with their healer.”

While many Latino-Americans believe in curanderismo as a healing modality, most also value the power of conventional Western medicine, routinely seeking the care of a medical doctor when sick, according to one Los Angeles study. In one particular area of Los Angeles, most Mexican-Americans sought medical treatment for their mental illness, rather than seeking the care of a curandero. Though curanderismo is, and has historically been, an inherent part of Latino culture, it would be incorrect to presume that every Latino embraces the beliefs and practices of curanderismo. Some understand it as folk medicine, which means that they see value in it for certain ailments while they feel other issues may require attention from allopathic professionals.

            In other academic research, curanderismo is postulated to be the reason why Latino-Americans are underrepresented in California’s mental health system, constituting only 3% of the patient population when they constitute more than 10% of the state’s general population. Dr. Maduro hypothesizes that many Latinos often are consoled and taken care of by their local curandero and their family, protective mitigating factors in mental health.
            If health care providers are to maintain their effectiveness, their knowledge of their patient’s cultural milieu is critical in the delivery of care. Understanding a patient's explanatory model of illness enables providers to formulate a culturally appropriate response, and also anticipate, identify and resolve any potential treatment compliance issues before problems arise. For example, if a person believes his mental illness is a result of a curse or spirits, he may choose not take his medication. A person’s explanatory model of his illness affects their health-related behaviors and their willingness to comply with treatment plans. By 2050, the largest ethnic minority in the U.S. will be Latino-Americans with 29% of the population, who currently constitute about 14%.

What do you think about curanderismo?  How you witnessed any spiritual practice?  Please share your thoughts.

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Pearl Ji-hyon Park
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