Traditionl Healers in Latin America

Introduction tralatitious healers as well known as curanderismo argon outstanding vocalization of Latin the Statesn husbandry, society and a way of life. Traditional healers vex been a sectionalisation of Latin Ameri freighter destination for thousands of years and notwithstanding today atomic number 18 considered as important as the handed-down health c ar professionals (Avila, 1999). The service of these healers atomic number 18 intentiond extensively and they be well respected and value members of the club. Not some(prenominal)one can be a healer and in value to become one a special talent and extensive cooking is needed (Avila, 1999).The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of handed-down healers in Latin American culture and to discuss what sparing, favorable and ghostlike savvy outs conventional healers are tacit so popular in this day and get on with in Latin America. Who Can Be a Traditional healer? One of the approximately interesting a spects of the traditional healers in Latin America is that no e trulyone can be one. This is a striking contrast with traditional medical professionals where calling has become any(prenominal)thing secondary and where much(prenominal) people than non go into the medical field not because of genuine desire to service of process but because it pays well.The story is completely different for the traditional healers as the beside generation is carefully hand-picked based on what is called el don or a gift (Avila, 1999). This gift cannot be acquired or trained, a mortal either has it or not. Having gift is not enough though as a new apprentice has to train for a truly immense time under the practicing traditional healer in order to elate the mastery and the craft of healing (Trotter & Chavira, 1997). Another interesting distinction in the midst of what Latin American traditional healers and regular health care professionals is the marrow squash philosophy that underlines the ir work.Traditional medicate focuses on symptoms and causes, while for the traditional healer the most important core of any problem is religious one, as the unsoundness is the essentially an imbalance that has to be corrected (Trotter & Chavira, 1997). Healers are also precise in tune with nature and as it will be discussed down the stairs they rely a lot of natural remedies and so on (Avila, 1999). otherworldliness and religion go hand in hand because as it was mentioned to a higher place healing powers are considered the unique gift one has received from some(prenominal) higher entity and thus religion plays very important role in the work of traditional healers.What Exactly Do Traditional Healers Do? outstandingly just like any health care professionals, traditional healers in Latin America also produce their own specializations and areas of practice. While some have very narrow and specific areas, such(prenominal) are herbalists or midwives for example others a grea t deal have been trained in various specialties and can provide the full package care (Trotter & Chavira, 1997). Regardless of the specialty every(prenominal) traditional healer always considers the illness as a thickening manifestation of problems in physical, emotional and unearthly planes.Traditional healers use variety of mover in their practices. They prepare various mixtures, lotions, potions, oils and other substances for consumptions or for external use. and the substances are only the part of the practice. There are numerous rituals, supportings and prayers that micturate healing practices. The rituals could be very elaborate and include other objects and things such as for example birds eggs, or water or fire. All these things are believed to be important components in the healing process and are more often than not part of the ritual.Healers often give their clients various amulets to nurture or to heal them including bracelets, necklaces and other objects. Many herbal and plant matters are utilise including very common veggies, spices and fruits like papaya, potatoes, garlic, cumin, mint and others (Davidow, 1999). Finally traditional healers employ many psychological means as they are often keen observers and student of human nature (Trotter & Chavira, 1997). Many healers admit that the use of rituals is done for the patients sake as it aids in healing process.Remarkably on that point is a scientific support to this notion as the placebo effect indicates that something with well-set suggestive power can deliver desired results. Economic, Religious, and Social commentary For the Use of Traditional Healers in Latin America There are numerous reasons why traditional healers are so widespread and ordinarily use in Latin America. One reason is purely economic as traditional healers are the only medical care many families could cede (Trotter & Chavira, 1997). Traditional healers in general do not production any money from their clients a nd definitely do not take anything from very poor clients.They could accept offerings for their service but it is done on flake to case basis. So for that reason the most important economic reason why healers are used is because their services are free. Another reason why healers are so popular is religious. As it was described above in order to be a healer one has to have a gift from the high spiritual power (Trotter & Chavira, 1997). Healers often offer some sort of a mix of religious, spiritual and physical practices that vacillate with the Latin American community that has this mix also present.Latin American culture is twain spiritual and religious and this is exactly what healers do offer. The religious/spiritual aspect of healing process is something that is strikingly different from traditional medicine and this is why healers are so popular. They often use religious objects in practices and the healing process including icons, crucifixes and so on. Finally there is a soc ial explanation for why traditional healers are so often used even today. Healers have been traditionally not just a part of community but very well respected and admired members of community.Latin American culture is well known for its strong cultural ties and strong community genius (Trotter & Chavira, 1997). Hence in case of illness or any other malady the first reaction is to go to the community member, a traditional healer than to go the hospital which many could not afford anyway. Healers also offer social and spiritual support and often even counseling, thus making it even more likely for a mortal to seek their help. As it was discussed above, economic, religious and social reasons for using traditional healers are very strong and more often than not they operate in conjunction even further supporting each other.For example, when a individual has no money, he is less likely to go to a hospital. A healer could also play into persons religiosity and sense of community, so al l this factors together make a traditional healer more popular than any local anaesthetic hospital. Conclusion Traditional healers have been and most likely will be in the foreseeable prox a very important part of Latin American culture and way of life. Traditional healers operate within community and are important and well-respected members of the community.They are often the last resort for poor segments of population, and the complex interactions of social, religious and economic factors often make them more attractive and popular than local hospitals. Traditional healers often have specific specializations such as herbalists or midwives, but many have numerous specializations. Not anyone can be a healer as it requires a gift and extensive training. Traditional healers offer a variety of services including physical treatment, various remedies and amulets and spiritual and psychological counseling. ghostlikeity is important part of practice and is one component which makes heale rs so popular. Traditional healers approach differs significantly from traditional medicine approach because it is more multileveled and holistic. Healers in a sense try to address the issues on both physical and spiritual levels, while the traditional medicine often focuses on physical symptoms and definitely less on spiritual aspects of illness. Healers are of flesh often frown upon by the medical community and called quack doctors because they do not have formal training and education.Yet Latin American communities still use their services extensively and remarkably even immigrant communities like Mexicans in the US for example, still use traditional healers. Recent estimates demonstrated that as many as 75% of Latin Americans living in Texas used traditional healers in one way or the other to either completely or partially deal with their illnesses or ailments (Tafur, 2009). This trend is very unlikely to change any time soon, after all traditional healers have been a part of L atin American culture for thousands of years. ReferencesAvila E (1999). Woman Who Glows in the Dark A Curandera Reveals Traditional Aztec Secrets of Physical and Spiritual Health. impudent York Penguin Putnam. Davidow J (1999). Infusions of Healing A Treasury of Mexican-American Herbal Remedies. New York Simon & Schuster. Tafur, M. M. , Crowe, T. K. , & Torres, E. (2009). A review of curanderismo and healing practices among Mexicans and Mexican Americans. Occupational Therapy International, 16(1), 82-88. Trotter, R. T. , & Chavira, J. A. (1997). Curanderismo Mexican American Folk Healing. University of Georgia Press.