Nepantla Medicine as a Bridge of Hope in Hispanic/Latinx Communities: Lessons from Curanderismo for Expanding Holistic Care
Saul Barcelo, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Hispanic/Latinx communities, one of the fastest-growing demographics in the United States, face significant barriers in accessing healthcare. Latinx individuals are disproportionately impacted by systemic issues such as lack of health insurance, language barriers, and limited culturally sensitive care. For example, studies show that Latinx Californians are more likely to have incomes below the federal poverty level and report being uninsured, with one in five lacking a usual source of care and experiencing difficulty finding a specialist. Against this backdrop, Curanderismo—a traditional healing practice rooted in Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences—remains a vital healthcare resource, offering an accessible, culturally resonant alternative that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of well-being.
This paper presentation examines Curanderismo as a form of Nepantla Medicine, an integrative approach that bridges traditional and Western medical practices to meet the unique needs of Hispanic/Latinx individuals. Through its multifaceted practices, including herbal remedies, spiritual cleansings, and energy healing, Curanderismo provides culturally relevant pathways to healing that align deeply with Hispanic/Latinx identities and experiences, fostering agency, resilience, and a powerful sense of hope. In line with this year’s conference theme, "Nurturing Hope: Expanding Holistic Care at the Margins," this session explores Curanderismo’s role as a bridge that helps marginalized communities navigate dual healthcare realities, blending traditional and biomedical perspectives to meet holistic needs.
Building on this foundation, the presentation offers a framework for shaping clinical medical practices, and spiritual care approaches that respect and incorporate the cultural and spiritual dimensions of healing within Hispanic/Latinx communities. By fostering culturally attuned care models, Nepantla Medicine encourages a more inclusive and compassionate approach that can be applied across disciplines to support diverse patient populations at the margins of healthcare.
Integrating Curanderismo within modern healthcare presents unique challenges for practitioners, as Hispanic/Latinx patients may hesitate to disclose their use of alternative medicine due to concerns of judgment or misunderstanding. This reluctance often stems from a perceived lack of respect or cultural awareness from healthcare providers. In my presentation, I will explore these dynamics further and discuss the importance of cultural humility and open communication in fostering an inclusive, integrative model of care that honors the identities and needs of Hispanic/Latinx patients.
To effectively serve Hispanic/Latinx communities, healthcare practitioners are invited to embrace Nepantla Medicine, a holistic approach that bridges the wisdom of both alternative and Western medical practices. This approach requires drawing from dual realms of expertise—integrating physical and spiritual care, scientific knowledge, and traditional healing. By honoring both sets of wisdom, practitioners can cultivate a healthcare environment that respects cultural identity, fosters trust, and provides holistic healing. This integration not only expands the scope of compassionate care but also nurtures spaces of hope and resilience, ultimately enriching healthcare for those who navigate life at the intersection of diverse worlds.
This paper presentation examines Curanderismo as a form of Nepantla Medicine, an integrative approach that bridges traditional and Western medical practices to meet the unique needs of Hispanic/Latinx individuals. Through its multifaceted practices, including herbal remedies, spiritual cleansings, and energy healing, Curanderismo provides culturally relevant pathways to healing that align deeply with Hispanic/Latinx identities and experiences, fostering agency, resilience, and a powerful sense of hope. In line with this year’s conference theme, "Nurturing Hope: Expanding Holistic Care at the Margins," this session explores Curanderismo’s role as a bridge that helps marginalized communities navigate dual healthcare realities, blending traditional and biomedical perspectives to meet holistic needs.
Building on this foundation, the presentation offers a framework for shaping clinical medical practices, and spiritual care approaches that respect and incorporate the cultural and spiritual dimensions of healing within Hispanic/Latinx communities. By fostering culturally attuned care models, Nepantla Medicine encourages a more inclusive and compassionate approach that can be applied across disciplines to support diverse patient populations at the margins of healthcare.
Integrating Curanderismo within modern healthcare presents unique challenges for practitioners, as Hispanic/Latinx patients may hesitate to disclose their use of alternative medicine due to concerns of judgment or misunderstanding. This reluctance often stems from a perceived lack of respect or cultural awareness from healthcare providers. In my presentation, I will explore these dynamics further and discuss the importance of cultural humility and open communication in fostering an inclusive, integrative model of care that honors the identities and needs of Hispanic/Latinx patients.
To effectively serve Hispanic/Latinx communities, healthcare practitioners are invited to embrace Nepantla Medicine, a holistic approach that bridges the wisdom of both alternative and Western medical practices. This approach requires drawing from dual realms of expertise—integrating physical and spiritual care, scientific knowledge, and traditional healing. By honoring both sets of wisdom, practitioners can cultivate a healthcare environment that respects cultural identity, fosters trust, and provides holistic healing. This integration not only expands the scope of compassionate care but also nurtures spaces of hope and resilience, ultimately enriching healthcare for those who navigate life at the intersection of diverse worlds.