Curanderismo, the Healing Art of Mexico

While Curanderismo is practiced throughout Mexico, Central and South America, Grace’s healing practice is deeply rooted in her Yaqui and Mexican Mestizo heritage. Influenced by the Mexika and Zapotec healing lineages of Mexico, she has named her practice Curanderismo: The Healing Art of Mexico to honor these traditions.

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As a seasoned curandera with decades of experience, Grace integrates traditional Indigenous healing with contemporary wellness approaches. She advocates for a thoughtful, complementary relationship between Indigenous medicine and conventional (allopathic) healthcare. Rather than an either/or model, she educates healthcare providers on Mexican Indigenous healing practices to foster culturally responsive care. Grace supports the inclusion of cultural practitioners—curanderas/os and Native healers—as part of a multidisciplinary team that addresses the whole person: body, mind, emotions, relationships, and spirit. When appropriate, she refers clients to physicians and other healthcare professionals.

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What Is Curanderismo?

Curanderismo is a holistic healing tradition practiced for centuries across the Americas. In Mexico, it is also known as medicina del campo or Mexican Traditional Healing. Shaped by colonization, Curanderismo today often reflects a synthesis of Indigenous, Catholic, Sephardic, and African influences, depending on the practitioner’s cultural and spiritual background. This is why some consider it a blending of traditions, rather than solely being Native medicine or European medicine.

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Curanderas/os typically work on three interconnected levels:

• Physical (Body): Use of herbs, ritual objects, plática (heart-to-heart conversation), prayer, and song.

• Spiritual (Spirit): Prayer, meditation, and communication with spiritual beings (Angels, Saints, Animal Protectors, Deities) for guidance and healing.

• Mental/Energetic (Mind): Visualization, focused intention, and the directing of healing energy on a non-local level.

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What Does the Word “Curandera” Mean?

The word curandera (Spanish for female healer) reflects both the spiritual and healing aspects of the practice. It carries the confidentiality and sacred trust associated with a cura (priest or minister), while also referring to one who cures. In everyday language, "que cura!" is a pun that can mean a comment that's witty, funny leading to a good laugh; it also can be translated as "what a healing" —highlighting the role of humor in healing.

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Curanderas use prayer, spiritual cleansings (limpias), and ceremonies to restore balance to the body, mind, and spirit. Depending on her training and community, a curandera may also be known as a mujer de conocimiento (woman of knowledge) or mujer de medicina (medicine woman). Each practitioner’s path is unique, often shaped by family, elders, or specific tribal teachings.

In Mexican-American communities, curanderas are often respected elder women known by word of mouth for their healing gifts, which may include herbal knowledge, spiritual insight, and intuitive abilities. Typically, they are long-time residents of their neighborhood and are known by word of mouth for their particular healing specialty. 

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Curanderismo in Practice

Curanderismo views illness as the result of imbalances across physical, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual dimensions. It is used by people from all walks of life—healthcare professionals, educators, activists, and families—either as a primary healing path or alongside conventional medical care.

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Grace’s practice addresses a wide range of needs, including:

• Emotional and spiritual support during life-threatening illness (for patients and families)

• Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression

• Healing after miscarriage or pregnancy termination

• Susto / Espanto (Soul Fright or PTSD), often experienced by veterans, survivors of violence, sexual trafficking, activists, and first responders, or a life-threatening accident.​​

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Special Focus: Healing from Susto or Espanto.

Recogiendo la Sombra, Restoring the Shadow (misplaced aspect of the energy body)

A growing focus of Grace’s work the past decade is healing Susto —a condition similar to PTSD that in may be known as Soul Wound in the U.S. This involves addressing embedded long-term trauma from experiences such as sexual abuse, loss, violence, or accidents. Grace offers a safe, confidential space for healing through ceremony, spiritual guidance, and culturally grounded care.

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To schedule a session or consultation, please email Maestra Grace.