Occupational Therapy students learn traditional healing practices
Recently, graduate students from the University of New Mexico visited Oaxaca, México to learn about Mexican Traditional Medicine with Occupational Therapy Professor Terry K. Crowe. The course was designed through a partnership between CECIPROC- a non-government Oaxacan organization working in community health, Tierraventura - a small business offering unique eco-tourism and the University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy Graduate Program in the School of Medicine.
Photo: On a rainy day in the village of Cuajimoloyas, UNM Occupatioanl Therapy students learn from Doña Queta the medicinal properties of plants.
Learning Traditional Healing Practices
The class toured throughout the state of Oaxaca taking part in the language, culture, customs, beliefs and traditions of México. It all began in the colonial city of Oaxaca, where for five days, students attended Spanish language classes each morning, and attended workshops focused on traditional healing topics in the afternoons.
Laurencio A. López Núñez, a biologist with CECIPROC, was the primary instructor. One afternoon, the students went to the market and purchased medicinal plants sold in the colorful, lively market. They then used the plants to make soap, shampoo, arnica cream and a eucalyptus vapor rub.
On another day, the students learned from a light-hearted young midwife, Catalina, who lives in a village eight hours from Oaxaca. She shared the anecdotes of her life and stories about the many births she has attended. Later, the students were exposed to two other healers, each with different experiences and ways of healing.
Doña Queta a well-known healer who has traveled to other countries shared her wisdom and knowledge of traditional healing practices, and Doña Rosalio demonstrated a powerful ritual cleansing.
On a hike into the Sierra Norte Mountains, the students encountered plants used especially for healing the mind, spirit and body. Here the students met Doña Lepa, a small woman with a large spirit. She was one of the healers in the high altitude village of Cuajimoloyas. They were welcomed into her humble home and sat on the ground in her small kitchen to learn about her gift of healing and how it is a part of her life and culture.
“There was light beaming through the tiny cracks between the wood that built the walls of her home, shining upon Doña Lepa who was teaching us something more than what we knew about ourselves and our universe,” said student Hallie Michael. “Her home was surrounded by a beautiful garden, each plant with its own unique properties for healing-that she used in her daily practices to help others.”
Heading to the Coast
Led by local hosts, Claudia Schurr and Yves Chavan, owers of Tierraventura, the class embarked on a six-day journey deeper into the ecologically diverse state of Oaxaca, heading to the Pacific coast and ultimately a small coffee plantation in the Mexican jungle.
Photo: The 2008 class of Mexican Traditional Medicine.
On the coast, the class visited with several amazingly strong women in the pueblo of La Luz who had built several small businesses to help themselves, their families and their communities. They experienced a piece of their day-to-day living by cooking and eating together.
“It was truly special to share this seemingly casual experience with them, knowing the true significance in this unity of cultures and people,” said Michael.
Later the students participated in a cleansing ceremony (limpia) and a Temezcal, a traditional steam bath along a beautiful and quiet beachfront. The ceremony was a powerful and enlightening experience for all of the participating students.
Deep in the Tropical Jungle
The students’ last stop was to El Mamey, a coffee plantation deep in the tropical jungle where they stayed with a local healer named Elizabeth and her family. Their home was enchanting and rustic; the only noises heard were the powerful running river and the birds. Elizabeth talked openly and honestly with the class about her traditions, her role in the community and her special gift.
She shared an understanding of traditional medicine from its cultural past to its current situation in our world. Her calling in life has been to share her knowledge with others, and she is currently teaching six little girls from three to eight years of age and two adolescents the art of healing. The girls and young women showed us some of the medicinal plants used in their communities and practiced their foot massage techniques on some of us.
Course Enrichment
The Mexican Traditional Medicine course enriched the students’ understanding of traditional medicine by providing hands-on experiences. They experienced the beautiful Mexican landscape and vistas, and got to know some of the Mexican people and were able to partake in their rich culture.
Throughout their time in México, they encountered energies, flavors, and sites new to them all. They were challenged personally, academically and professionally with new experiences that evoked feelings and ideas that encouraged the class to broaden its perspective.
“This is a course that will change your life in many ways,” said Michael.
For information about next year’s course contact Terry K. Crowe at: tcrowe@salud.unm.edu.
Story submitted by Hallie Michael, OTS. Photos by Terry Crowe and Yves Chavan.