Burying the Umbilicus: Traditional Medicine on the West Coast of Mexico
Leslie Korn, PhD, MPH, Maria Luisa Arias Moreno
Volume 13, Number 1 (2025) 13 (1): 5-58
Keywords Ethnobotany, Traditional Medicine, Indigenous Peoples, Cabo Corrientes, Traditional Healing Practices, Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge, Globalization Impact on Traditional Medicine
Abstract
This article examines traditional medicine practices in Cabo Corrientes, located on Mexico’s West Coast. It highlights the generosity of local indigenous communities in sharing their knowledge and experiences with researchers. The study emphasizes the cultural significance of these healing traditions and their important role in ethnobotany. By documenting local medicinal plants and healing techniques, the article underscores the value of preserving indigenous genetic resources. It also addresses the challenges globalization poses to these practices, including the risk of knowledge loss and cultural erosion. Overall, the article advocates for greater recognition and protection of traditional medicine as a vital part of indigenous heritage and health systems in the region.
Leslie Korn, PhD, MPH
Maria Luisa Arias Moreno
Published August 13, 2025
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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