Modernizing Ancient Healing: Folk Healers on the Texas Border

Curanderas, or folk healers, along the Texas-Mexico border are modernizing their ancient practice by incorporating social media, online trading of rituals, and selling artisan candles. Younger generations are embracing the traditions passed down by their grandmothers and using them to address contemporary issues. Many people in the region, particularly those without health insurance, rely on curanderas due to affordability and mistrust of the medical establishment. While the medical community has cautioned against relying on folk remedies, curanderismo has become widely accepted in the Rio Grande Valley, with street signs and TV ads advertising folk healing services.