Media Contact: Maya L. Oliver, 277-1989
Contact: Eleanor Sanchez, 277-1813

July 20, 2005

Mexican Health Fair features curanderos, demos, exhibits

The University of New Mexico is hosting a Mexican Traditional Medicine Fair on Wednesday, July 27, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The event will feature curanderos, or Mexican folk healers, alternative medicine and demonstrations on how to use plants and herbs for medicinal purposes.

Vice President for Student Affairs Eliseo “Cheo” Torres will give a related lecture with Dr. Arturo Ornelas Lizardi, director of El Centro Desarrolo Humano hacia a la Comunidad in Cuernavaca in the Student Union Building theater from noon – 1:00 p.m. Torres is the author of “ Curandero: A Life in Mexican Folk Healing,” which describes his personal experiences and prominent figures in the tradition of curanderismo. The book also addresses common misconceptions regarding curanderismo and healing practices that are viable and prevalent in the Mexican-American community.

Local businesses will exhibit products, give demonstrations, pass out samples and provide information on different kinds of herbs and alternative medicinal. Participants include Wild Oats, Whole Foods Market, Vitamin Cottage, La Montañita Co-op, The Herb Store and Herbs, Etc., from Santa Fe.

The fair is at UNM's main campus on the Cornell Mall, east of the Student Union Building and is free and open to the public.

The UNM Student Affairs Office, UNM Tricentennial and Work + Life Committees sponsor the fair as part of UNM's salute to the Albuquerque Tricentennial celebration.

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Comments to:
Public Affairs Department
MSC01 1170
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981