Eliseo Torres

About the Author

Eliseo Torres, affectionately known as Dr. Lico, is a distinguished scholar and storyteller whose work bridges the ancient wisdom of Mexican folk healing with contemporary cultural narratives. Born in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, Torres grew up immersed in the traditions of curanderismo, the indigenous healing practices that have sustained Hispanic communities for generations. As a professor emeritus of history at New Mexico State University, he has dedicated his career to documenting and preserving these oral histories, drawing from personal anecdotes and ethnographic research to illuminate the role of curanderos in society. His writing celebrates the resilience of Latino heritage, blending academic rigor with accessible, engaging prose that invites readers to explore the intersections of spirituality, medicine, and identity in the American Southwest.