La Ventosa: Santiguadora Mariana Cruz Vazquez of Cidra, Puerto Rico.Santiguadora (bone setter bone setter, n Latin name: Cissus quadrangularis; parts used: leaves, stems, roots; uses: in Ayurveda pacifies vata and pitta doshas (sweet, light, dry), alterative, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, antiasthmatic, bone healing; precautions: skin and empirical masseuse masseuse /mas·seuse/ (-sldbomacz´) [Fr.] a woman who performs massage. ) Mariana Cruz Vazquez of Cidra, Puerto Rico Cidra, (SEE-drah) is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central region of the island, north of Cayey; south of Comerío and Aguas Buenas; east of Aibonito; and west of Caguas. is shown offering the Puerto Rican version of cupping, called "la ventosa." Used for conditions of spasm and other "cold" related conditions, the person's back is massaged with an oil-based liniment liniment, liquid preparation rubbed on skin, used to relieve muscular aches and pains. It contains some substance that when rubbed over the affected part causes mild irritation and often brings more blood to the painful part. , then a copper penny is placed as a base for a small candle. The candle is lit, a glass is placed over it and when the flame consumes the oxygen, a vacuum is formed. An experienced santiguadora knows exactly how to "run" or "correr" the glass in a way that relaxes the muscle spasms and offers a deep, healing massage. Used with permission from Sembrando y Sanando en Puerto Rico, by Maria Benedetti. |
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