The Curandera's Garden It is not uncommon for a Mexican to
consult a curandera for spiritual healing while under a medical
doctor's care. E-mail This Page to Your Friendsx A link to %this
page% was e-mailed In the 15th century Florentine Codex of Aztec
physicians, the healer is "well versed in herbs, who knows,
through experience the roots, the trees, the stones. She keeps
her secrets and traditions." The healer is clearly female. But
where the Codex covers Aztec physicians, the text indicates this
role applies to the male gender. Today the role of healer or
"curandera" still exists in Hispanic culture. It is not uncommon
for a Mexican to consult a curandera for spiritual healing while
under a medical doctor's care. For the very poor with no access
to modern medicine, the curandera serves both roles, blending
the art of healing the mind with the administration of botanical
medicines. In the Mexican neighborhoods of most Southwestern
cities you'll find botanicas, which are herb stores that carry
dried traditio