Product Description

Eliseo Torres, known as "Cheo," grew up in the Corpus Christi area of Texas and knew, firsthand, the Mexican folk healing practiced in his home and neighborhood. Later in life, he wanted to know more about the plants and rituals of curanderismo.

Torres's story begins with his experiences in the Mexican town of Espinazo, the home of the great curandero El Ni�o Fidencio (1899-1939), where Torres underwent life-changing spiritual experiences. He introduces us to some of the major figures in the tradition, discusses some of the pitfalls of teaching curanderismo, and concludes with an account of a class he taught in which curanderos from Cuernavaca, Mexico, shared their knowledge with students.

Part personal pilgrimage, part compendium of medical knowledge, this moving book reveals curanderismo as both a contemplative and a medical practice that can offer new approaches to ancient problems.

From Curandero

". . . for centuries, rattlesnakes were eaten to prevent any number of conditions and illnesses, including arthritis and rheumatism. In Mexico and in other Latin American countries, rattlesnake meat is actually sold in capsule form to treat impotence and even to treat cancer. Rattlesnake meat is also dried and ground and sprinkled into open wounds and body sores to heal them, and a rattlesnake ointment is made that is applied to aches and pains as well."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #186346 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .56 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 180 pages

Review
Curandero is well worth the time to read to learn more and understand the importance of folk medicine. --Taos News

Like curanderismo, the book is part legend, part history and part folk tale. Readers will be entertained, enthralled and mystified. --Corpus-Christi Caller-Times TX

Curandero suceeds in revealing curanderismo as both a contemplative and a medical practice. . . It is a fascinating read. --Multicultural Review

From the Inside Flap
Practices of traditional Mexican folk healers, "curanderos," in the American Southwest as well as their native country.

About the Author
Eliseo 'Cheo' Torres is vice president of student affairs at the University of New Mexico.

Timothy L. Sawyer, Jr., is a public information representative at the University of New Mexico.