Biographic

Elena Avila, RN, MSN, Curandera, is a first generation Chicana born in the barrios of El Paso, Texas. Her parents were born in Mexico and brought their medicine with them out of Mexico, medicine passed down through time. Elena's first language was Spanish, and her family's health care included Curanderismo as well as western medicine.

After graduating from the University of Texas in 1976, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Elena obtained her Master's degree from UT in 1981, and specialized in mental health. She began her research into Curanderismo in 1974, gradually incorporating native folk healing into her work as a nurse.

Elena has held many administrative positions in nursing, including Head Nurse of Psychiatry, Director of Maternal/Child Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialist at UCLA, and Director of the Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center.

Renowned throughout the United States and Mexico as a Curandera, Elena Avila is an international speaker on the subject. She represented a paper on Nevada (Envy) in Havana, Cuba, and teaches in Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Berlin, Spain, and England . Elena is member of the International Congress of Traditional and Folk Medicine. She was awarded the Martin de la Cruz Medal, and international honor for excellence in the practice and research on Curanderismo. Elena has taught at various universities on cultural diversity and Curanderismo.

Her book, “Woman who Glows in the Dark, A Curandera reveals Traditional Aztec Secrets of physical and Spiritual Health", published by Tarcher/Putnam March 1999, is a National Bestseller. It is the only title ever published in which a curandera reveals the ancient tradition of Curanderismo from an authentic practitioner's point of view. Woman Who Glows in the Dark has been translated into Spanish and German and published in the U.K.

Elena Avila 's work in Curanderismo has been reviewed in numerous articles, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Latina , and Albuquerque Woman.

She is profiled in the books, Infusions of healing, A treasury of Mexican American Herbal Remedies by Joie Davidow, Simon and Schuster, 1999, Tradiciones Nuevomexicanos by Mary Montano, UNM Press, 2001, Living Shrines, NM Press, The Latina's Bible, Sandra Guzman, Three Rivers Press, 2002, Latina Power, Ana Nogales , PhD, Simon & Schuster, 2003, The Spiral of Memory and Belonging, Frank MacEowen , New World Library, 2004. Her folk healing techniques have been highlighted on CBS' "Night Watch" and on National Public Radio.

Elena is a frequent instructor at the New York Open Center, NY City and CHPD (Center for Health Policy Development, San Antonio, Texas.

In addition, Elena Avila is a poet, writer, playwright and actor. She combines Curanderismo with western medicine in her private practice. Elena has 4 children and 5 grandchildren.