Good For What Ails You: Secrets of the Bayou Healers

1998 • Directed by

Glen Pitre

Documentary

Even today, on the Louisiana bayous, alligator grease relieves asthma, a buried potato cures warts, and "smoking a baby" eases the pains of colic. Enter this distinctive tradition of faith healing, herbal remedy, and ritual magic as this documentary follows respected "traiteurs" to gather wild teas, brew homemade cough syrup, invoke the saints at home altars, and most of all, heal the sick.