This digital exhibit explores traditional healing practices (folk medicine, urban medicine, etc.) and the spaces that nurture them, like botánicas, wellness centers, and other places rooted in wellbeing and care. These spaces and practices are connected to culture, community, and spiritual wellbeing, offering ways of healing that go beyond just physical symptoms and treatments.
As part of this project, I visited three botánicas and spoke with the people who run these spaces. I asked about the work they do, what these spaces mean to the communities they serve, and how healing is understood through a more spiritual, emotional, and cultural lens. The exhibit also features images I took during these visits, offering a visual window into these environments.
Some of the insights shared here also come from personal experience and conversations with people I know who participate in these practices. I’ve had limpias and other remedies and rituals done for me by my mom and curanderos. While the relief they bring is not always immediate or visible, I’ve see and felt the good they can do. These moments, along with what others have shared, have helped shape my understanding the process and meaning of these practices.
However, these types of spaces and practices are often overlooked, misunderstood, or even labeled as taboo. Yet the support and acceptance of these practices are generally growing, and more people are starting to recognize their value as complements to other forms of care. This project is here to challenge the stigma and highlight the knowledge, intention, and care found in practices that have existed for decades.
While these practices and spaces are rooted in tradition and culture, they are open to anyone seeking healing. This exhibit aims to show how such approaches can serve all communities, offering care that resonates with individuals on a deeper level. At the end of the day, everyone deserves access to healing that honors all aspects of their identity. 🙂
“It’s a safe space for everyone”
– Jackie, Botánica San Cono