Ideals about illness and medicine in Mexico are influenced by history, tradition, religion, colonization, indigenous beliefs and lore, personal experiences, political structures, and myths.
"Like susto, mal de ojo has a social dimension; it indicates that a person has been more familiar with another than social and cultural norms permit. In the case of a child, the guilty party is from outside the family. Among the symptoms reported are severe headaches, high fever, fretfulness, and in the case of children, weeping. (Baer & Bustillo pg. 92)
"Hens' eggs were then passed over the patient to absorb some of the illness. They were later deposited at the place where the soul loss had occurred, along with a collection of gifts propitiate the spirits who held the patient's soul and who were now requested to release it. Following prayers and libations to the spirits, a procession was formed." (A description of a healing rite in Rubel pg. 276)
Curandera preforming a "Limpia" or spiritual cleansing. (Photo: https://images.app.goo.gl/9qPuApW7aEY7Z2788)
Mexico has a very rich folk tradition that includes storytelling, magic, superstitions, arts and crafts, music and dance, rituals, cuisine, costumes, and even folk illnesses. These illnesses (which are also called “Culture Bound Syndromes") are part of a deep cultural belief in outside forces that can curse individuals with bad luck and health problems, or cure them with appeasement, herbs, spells, and prayers. Throughout my blog I will examine the underlying causes and treatments of one illness in particular- Mal de Ojo or, The Evil Eye.
The photo above depicts a Curandera preforming a "limpia" to cleanse negative forces from the body. In her journal article entitled "Use of Folk Medicine by Mexican American Women" author Rebecca Lopez describes this ritual further,
"As in the case of mal de ojo, the touch of the person who cast the ill will is sought out to break the negative bond. If that does not occur, the victim may choose to seek out a curandero who has particular expertise in the use of spiritual, religious, and medical tools. Treatments may include the use of eggs, herbs, oils, candle lighting, laying of hands, and prayer." (Lopez pg. 26)
It is common for mothers to try to heal these illnesses themselves before seeking medical treatment, if at all. A curandero/a is usually known and trusted by the community as effective healers and are sought out when an illness becomes severe.