Mexican Traditional Medicine: A Whole Medical System

Mexican Traditional Medicine (MTM) is an indigenous healing system developed in Mexico and Latin America. Its roots are traced to pre-Colombian Aztec, Mayan and Incan healing traditions, with African and Spanish-Catholic influences. MTM is an important part of health care with current studies estimating that 45-65% of Mexican-American families using this system for health services. The elements of the MTM as a whole medical system will be examined. A literature review is presented on MTM studies and knowledge with a discussion presented of potential areas for MTM study. The understanding of MTM as well as whole medical systems is reviewed under the concept of non-linear dynamic systems (NDS) with a development of MTM as a similar CAM method. MTM is then conferred as a justifiable whole medical system as identified by NCCAM and recent research from whole systems medicine. Given the continued use of MTM, and the particular focus of whole health healing for Mexican immigrants to the US, research inquiry should also be directed to further the understanding of this system of healing. The dynamics of MTM and the practice of Curanderismo cannot be fully studied and explained by conventional western medicine. Utilizing the concepts of NDS, MTM and Curanderismo treatments can be researched, understood and shown to be effective in those that utilize its services as a method of achieving balance in their lives. This care and treatment, particular for Mexican immigrant populations will need research methodolgy for delineation and dissemination of findings that will allow more effective culturally competent and sensitive health care provision for Mexican- Americans.