Research paper on Curanderismo

Research paper on Curanderismo

Folk culture

Excerpt of undergraduate research paper detailing curandera practices in Central Texas, including commonly used plants and herbs.

Coming from the UT Folklore Center, this paper is groups with multiple other research papers on folk healing practices across Texas and the rest of the United States. These works give context and knowledge through interviews and original research conducted by UT students

Unknown

UT Folklore Center Archives, ca. 1928-1981, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin

1973

UT Folklore Center Archives, ca. 1928-1981, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin

Typescript paper

English

Undergraduate research paper

Late 20th century

Prickley Pear – To relieve swollen bruises, toothache, or relieve the pain of infection, the fleshy part of this plant was scraped out. It was then mixed with salt and packed into a closely woven cloth and heated in a pan of hot water. When well heated, the pack would be applied to the area. It would cause the flesh to draw up and excrete the infection.
Mesquite – The hard seed pods of this plant were ground in a wooden mortar. After it was ground to make a fine powder, a little bit of water was added to it. Then, the "dough" was formed into little cakes and baked in the sun. These cakes were nutritious snacks which were used by people traveling a long distance. Sometimes, the leaves were brewed into a tea, used for curing headaches.
Cotton – The bark of the cotton root was gathered in the early fall. The roots were washed in water, and the bark was removed and dried. A decoction of these roots was thought to ease labor in childbirth.
Mistletoe – A tea made from the leaves of this plant was also used in assisting a woman in childbirth. It was also believed that when the tea was taken in large doses, it would cause contraction in the uterus and could cause abortion.
Pinon – This plant was one of the most important edible plants in the Southwest U.S. and northern Mexico. The nuts which appear inside the pone cones are collected in the late fall. Then an antiseptic dusting powder was prepared by drying and the pulverizing the resinous gas.
Plantain – The leaves of this plant were heated and applied in a wet dressing for wounds. The leaves were also useful in combating the poisonous venom of snake bites. The seeds of this plant were chews as a remedy for worms.
Gentian – The roots of this plant were steeped in hot water, and the resulting liquid applied to aching backs. The leaves of the plant were used in a rea, useful as a digestive tonic.
Sunflower – The root of the sunflower was mashed between stone and used in a wet dressing for drawing blisters. The leaves were brewed into a tea and used to bring down a fever.
Yarrow – For burns, the entire plant was ground and steeped in cold water. The liquid would bring about a cooling sensation and acted more as relief for the burn than a curative. The dried leave and tops of the plants were boiled in a tea and would promote menstruation.
Juniper – The berries of the juniper were given to women following childbirth. It would relax the muscles and stop post-partum hemorrhage.
Catnip – A tea made of the catnip leaves were used for infantile colic. A popular domestic remedy, catnip was also used to induce sweating to cure colds. The plant was also believed to have a somewhat stimulant effect.

Typescript paper