Performing spiritual healing in the here and now
Botánicas and holistic health care
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12915589 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Angela Castañeda (DePauw University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2014 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 102-110 |
| Publication date | 2014-10-13 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | African and Black Diaspora An International Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1752-8631 • E-ISSN: 1752-864X |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17528631.2014.966953 |
| OpenAlex | W2073053114 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 8 |
Through ethnographic study of midwestern botánicas in Indiana, this research illustrates the multifunctional nature of these spaces. Research findings point to botánicas as working in the ‘here and now’, addressing immediate and emergent spiritual, financial, and health problems in a diverse community. Local religious leaders also perform divinations and healing in this space; thus the botánica both symbolizes and acts as a cross-cultural health system. I analyze a therapeutic form of traditional medicine through a focus on one of the main activities that takes place in botánicas – healings or limpias. Limpias cleanse a person, place, or object of any bad, evil, or harmful energy or sickness. I also explore the role of botánicas as a form of spiritual/medical diplomacy. Ultimately, this paper demonstrates that botánicas serve as economically and culturally acceptable health care alternatives, offering a means to address otherwise unmet community needs
Ethnography · Health care · Object (grammar · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies · Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies · Law · Medicine · Nursing · Phytochemistry Medicinal Plant Applications · Psychology
| Citations per year | 0.43 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2019 - 2023 (5) |
| Highly cited | No |