Aztec Influence On Spanish Culture

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Introduction The Hispanic culture is a large and growing community that is spread throughout the Northern and Southern parts of the Americas. Its background is enriched with tradition that has been kept alive through the action of observation, teaching, and learning. One of the strongest ongoing traces of their culture was the creation of natural folk remedies. The number of natural cures and spiritual practices range from a simple headache to treating depression. Migrating up north to the United States, their heritage continues to thrive but begins to integrate the traditional methods of healing with new contemporary biological medicine. On a day to day basis, their values and beliefs are evident as well as exercised among the young and old…show more content…
The Aztecs believed in tradition and used rituals for almost everything they encountered. Human sacrifices to their gods were thought to bring good fortune, but they did not integrate this into their healing practices. The priest of the tribe found properties in plants in near by gardens that was used as medicine to cure illnesses (Trotter II, R. T. 2001). In addition, when the Spanish invaded and conquered the New World, Catholicism and European philosophies were introduced to the natives. Since religion was heavily influenced the Spanish culture, prayer was seen as a powerful source of healing and was exercised by everyone. The Europeans also believed in supernatural forces and taught the natives that it was the cause of all diseases and was further integrated in the Curanderismo practices. Together with the belief of both religion and nature, a human was able to be cured from any ailment or…show more content…
Unfortunately, more than half of the Hispanic patients that come in to the hospital or clinic do not admit to the use of herbal remedies to their physician. This can become a problem if the patient is given treatment that creates a synergistic affect causing more harm than good. Researchers suggest that the language barriers between the health care provider and patient generate a communication gap. In addition, trust may also be in issue due to fear that their physician will not believe in hispanic folk medicine (Taruf, Crowe, and Torrese, 2009). It is important that the health care providers make sure these issues are being addressed in order to give the best care to the

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