The temazcal is an ancient practice passed down to us from pre-Hispanic cultures. It is a steam bath used for various purposes, including healing specific ailments, as part of spiritual ceremonies, or simply to promote overall health and wellness.
In the Mixe tradition, the temazcal was the primary method of healing for families. Many homes had their own temazcal.
Temazcals can take on different forms. In central Mexican traditions, they are often round, resembling a dome, supported by a structure, or made from clay and stone. In the Mixe tradition, however, the temazcal is a small room, typically accommodating one or two people.
The steam is created by heating stones until they are red-hot, over which the temazcalero (the person guiding the ceremony) pours water mixed with medicinal plants, often using a gourd. This type of temazcal—known as a healing temazcal—allows the temazcalero or temazcalera to blow hot air onto the areas of the body that need healing, focusing the heat for therapeutic purposes. Sometimes, medicinal plants such as rue, basil, or tobacco are also used.
It is worth mentioning that the temazcal is an excellent method for caring for pregnant women, as well as for postpartum recovery. On top of that, its benefits have been proven for the nervous, digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems, as well as for the skin.
In the home of local medicine woman and midwife Juanita in Huitepec, we honor these ancient traditions and offer the experience to visitors.
If you visit Mexico, and especially the Sierra Mixe, don’t miss out on the transformative experience of a temazcal.
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