J Altern Complement Med. 2001 Oct; 7(5): 537-46.

The botÃ¡nica as a culturally appropriate health care option for Latinos.

Gomez-Beloz A, Chavez N.

Health Research and Policy Center, The University of Illinois at Chicago, 60607, USA. agbz7@uic.edu

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to make a preliminary assessment of the botÃ¡nica as a culturally appropriate health care option for Latinos in the United States. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Closed-ended interviews were carried out using a questionnaire with 26 customers of a botÃ¡nica located in a primarily urban Mexican American community in the United States. RESULTS: Sample gender was predominantly female with an average age of 38 years and income in the range of $15,000-$29,999 per year. Most participants were married (16), had children (17), and most (22) had formal education. Products purchased at the botÃ¡nica included herbs, religious amulets, and other products. Although botÃ¡nicas are commonly believed to provide remedies only for folk illnesses, the participants in this study reported seeking remedies primarily for somatic illnesses. CONCLUSIONS: The respondents used the services of conventional health care providers interchangeably with the botÃ¡nica, making the botÃ¡nica an important health care resource for Latinos in the United States. Further research should be carried out to better understand the role of botÃ¡nicas in health care delivery.