Background

• Spanish folk medicine or "curanderismo," as it is commonly referred to as, has a number of different origins. Due to the regionalism and distinct cultures of Latin American countries, it is difficult to zero in on just one point of origin. However, some Spanish folk remedies derive from the Greek's belief in the humoral pathology. Essentially, they believed bodily function was controlled by four fluids, or humors, and, therefore, to maintain good health, it was vital that these fluids be balanced and taken care of. The largest component of this maintenance was ensuring that the liquids were either hot or cold and wet or dry. Blood was considered to be wet and hot; yellow bile was hot and dry; phlegm was cold and wet; and black bile was dry and cold. Aside from this background, Spanish folk medicines and remedies also formed as a result of the influence of Judeo-Christian beliefs, Arabian medicine and Native American practices.
  
  

The Healer

• All these influences combined to form what is considered today as curanderismo. This folk medicine is carried out by a curandero or curandera (a male or female healer, respectively). Those who use Spanish folk remedies believe that these men and women have been born with a gift to heal others, both spiritually as well as physically. There are different types of curanderos, specializing in specific types of medical and spiritual needs. Midwives, known as "parteras," are charged with tending to pregnancy and post-natal care needs for women and children. Yerbas are responsible for utilizing the power of herbs to heal sick patients. Other specialists within curanderismo have also emerged to address the health needs within their respective communities.
  
  

Types of Illnesses

• Within traditional Spanish folk medicine, several categories of illnesses that plague believers. They can be divided into illnesses that are mal natural or mal puesto. The first category refers to natural illnesses caused by bodily imbalances, while the second refers to the work of a brujeria (or witch) and her use of mal de ojo (the evil eye) to place a spiritual and physical curse on the afflicted. To combat the mal de ojo, curanderos and curanderas turn to prayer and other such practices to remove the curse from the affected person and transfer it elsewhere.