Sastun: One Woman's Apprenticeship with a Maya Healer and Their Efforts to Save the Vani (Paperback)

~ (Author) "It felt like a hot, sticky day in my hometown of Chicago..." (more)
Key Phrases: granny healer, cement house, bush doctor, Don Elijio, San Antonio, San Ignacio (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1983, the American-born author and her husband Greg were discouraged, almost ready to give up their farm and natural healing practice in a remote, roadless area in western Belize. By chance, Arvigo met 87-year-old Elijoio Panti, the best-known Maya medicine man in Central America. She persuaded him to teach her about the medicinal plants of the rain forest and the Maya art of healing. With freelance writer Epstein, Arvigo presents an engaging account of her five-year association with Panti and his patients, affording an interesting glimpse of traditional healing. Ultimately, Arvigo obtained the support of the American Cancer Institue and the New York Botanical Garden for her study of natural healing; she is now director of research of Terra Nova, a 6000-acre plant reserve in Belize. Photos. Author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Trained in naprapathy (the treatment of disease using natural healing processes), American-born Arvigo and her husband opened a natural healing practice in San Ignacio, Belize. The encroaching jungle threatened their homestead and resolve, but life took an unexpected turn after they met Elijio Panti, a respected Maya healer. Believing that his vast knowledge of medicinal plants would be their salvation, Arvigo set out to learn Elijio's dying art of natural healing. This enjoyable story is one of cross-cultural friendship and commitment to preserving native plants and traditional Mayan healing remedies. In the same vein Mark Plotkin, who detailed his work with Conservation International in Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice ( LJ 7/93), Arvigo created the Ix Chel Tropical Research Foundation to send plants to research laboratories for further study. Both narratives remind one that the destruction of native cultures and rain forest vegetation, with its unknown healing potential, is a loss to all humankind. Recommended for all libraries. --Teresa Elberson, Lafayette P.L., La.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (February 3, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006250259X
• ISBN-13: 978-0062502599
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,881 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #38 in	Books > History > Ancient > Mayan
  #79 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Botany

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Alternative medicine at it's best, December 20, 1999

By	Noel Ramos (Florida) - See all my reviews

Rosita Arvigo and Dr. Balick have written a very good book about the her experiences with a Mayan shaman in Belize. It gives great insights about the vanishing breed of "bush" doctors. Good for anyone who wants to study the ethnobotany of Mayas or alternative medicines in general especially those made with tropical plants and herbs.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank goodness Sastun is back in print!, April 29, 2006

By	BibliophileNYC - See all my reviews

I read this title when it came out years ago and have collected a few extra copies for loaning out over the years...now my hoarding is over.
This is truly a breathtaking story about the fragile links between traditional healing and current day healing. Truly, one of the most remarkable books I have ever read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book... beautifully written... could not put this down., September 6, 2005

By	Mary Benson (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a work of peace and beauty. Each chapter starts with a quick note on unique Mayan herbs and identifies their healing properties. This alone is a treasure. Sastun also gives an insightful, sensitive look into the character a true healer who deeply cares for his patients, mourns his lonliness, yet is energized by his spiritual support he receives in his healing and the thankfulness of his humble, hard-working and trusting Mayan patients. Personally, I loved this book... it reads quickly and easily, is beautifully written with touching humor and is remarkably uplifting.