Traditional medicine and healing are used throughout rural Oaxacan communities to treat anything from the common cold to more grave conditions like a susto, in which it’s believed that your soul leaves your body due to a frightening experience. As little as 15 years ago western medicine was not accessible in many rural areas of Oaxaca. As our hosts in Teotitlán explain, everyone ́s grandmother became their de facto doctor. When a child had a dry cough or a wet cough your grandmother knew which tea was appropriate to prepare and when a child had a fever they needed to be rubbed in mezcal and wrapped in blankets to sweat it out. Although there is now a health clinic in the community, many families still rely on the traditional methods for curing headaches, stress, and bad dreams. A combination of traditional massage, spiritual cleansing, herbs in teas or applied topically, as well as steam baths (temezcal) are used regularly in the community in combination with western medicine. During this workshop we will learn about the use of traditional medicine in the community with the first women´s cooperative of Teotitlán, as well as experience a limpia, Zapotec massage, and temezcal. 

Itinerary: 4 days, 3 nights  2024 dates: Thurs-Sun, Nov 23-26

Groups: 4 minimum, 8 maximum 2025 dates: Thurs-Sun, Jan 9-12

Cost per person: $850 USD/15,300MXN

Activities planned:

  • Hands-on class with the Vida Nueva women's cooperative learning about the plants of the region used in spiritual healing, traditional medicine, and natural dyes 

  • Learn about and participate in a limpia, Zapotec massage, and temezcal

  • Hike to a sacred mountain in the community lead by cooperative members 

  • Learn about beeswax candles made in the community for different spiritual and religious ceremonies

  • Group meals made using heirloom corn and local herbs from the region prepared by cocineras tradicionales 

  • A traditional mezcal tasting of our family´s small batch local mezcals, learning about mezcal´s role in traditional healing in Oaxaca

Includes:

  • Personalized guide and translation (English/Spanish)

  • Comfortable transportation round trip from Oaxaca City (40 min each way)

  • Cost of all programmed activities over the course of the trip

  • 9 meals

  • Tasting of traditional mezcal from local producers

  • 3 night stay at La Cúpula hotel (double occupancy) 

  • Drinking water and light snacks 

  • Temezcal (traditional steam bath), limpia, and Zapotec massage

  • Donation to women´s cooperative annual community service project  

Disclaimer: These activities or recommended herbs have not been evaluated by any medical practitioners or federal/international health organizations. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. If you have a health concern or condition, consult a physician. Always consult a medical doctor before modifying your diet, using any new product, drug, supplement, or doing any new exercises. Please let us know if you have any medical conditions that would make you ineligible to participate in the activities offered.