Exploring the Concepts and Practices of Health and Illness Among the Wixaritari Indigenous People of Western Mexico: An Ethnographic Study.

Introduction Despite growing research on Indigenous traditional medicine, the literature still lacks studies that examine holistic understandings of health among Indigenous people. This study aimed to explore Wixárika conceptions of health and illness in western Mexico in order to deepen understanding of their health-related practices and guide intercultural strategies to improve their quality of life. Methods A qualitative study with an ethnographic approach was conducted among 127 adult Wixárika participants in two contrasting contexts in western Mexico, using semi-structured in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. Results Findings show that, for the study participants, health is understood as a state of balance encompassing physical, spiritual, mental-emotional, and economic-occupational dimensions. Illness is perceived as a disruption of this balance, shaping therapeutic practices that combine ancestral knowledge with biomedical care. Functional capacity to carry out everyday activities and economic well-being also emerged as important indicators of health status. The use of traditional remedies alongside Western medicine reflects an adaptive strategy. Conclusions This study contributes to a broader intercultural understanding of health and provides a basis for respectful dialogue aimed at promoting the well-being of these Indigenous people.