EP 50: Earth Medicines and Indigenous Wisdom with Curandera Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz

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This week, I’m speaking with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz, a curandera, indigenous foods activist, and natural foods chef whose work is deeply rooted in the healing properties of all earth medicines. Her business name came to be after friends lovingly called her "the kitchen curandera", as she was often creating healing foods and remedies in her tiny adobe kitchen.  

Her work has been featured in Food & Wine, Spirituality & Health, and on Padma Lakshmi's Taste The Nation, among many other platforms. Felicia lives in the Sonoran Desert with her husband. Her first book, Earth Medicines, will be released next month.

In this episode, we discuss: Felicia’s relationship to nature as a child growing up in Arizona, how she found her specific and distinct path in the healing space, what inspired her to write her book Earth Medicine and the intuitive process that guided her as the book emerged, why connecting with our direct ancestors is so important for our spiritual growth and well-being, why we may be drawn to particular cultures or lineages that are not our own, how to take an element break, and the curandera tradition and Felicia’s initiation as a curandera. 

One thing to mention is that we talk about her book coming out in October, but the latest update is that it is now coming out in November, so if you’d like to preorder it, I’ve included a link to do so in the show notes.

I love this episode because it feels like an invitation - to earth medicine, to the elements of nature, to connecting with your lineage and honoring your ancestors, and to trusting your intuition. This is such a rich, vibrant conversation, and the perfect wrap to season 3, so let’s dive right in.

“I think the desert is a master teacher. It really embodies determination and resilience and hidden beauty.” - Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz x Our Nature

“Mother earth is always taking care of us – she’s never stopped taking care of us. We are the ones that need to take care of mother earth. It’s a reciprocity.” - Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz x Our Nature

Resources

Show Notes

  • Felicia’s relationship to nature as a child growing up in Arizona

  • The desert landscape and its magic

  • Felicia’s favorite season in the desert

  • How Felicia discovered her specific and distinct path in the healing space

  • The collective shift towards a more holistic approach to health

  • What inspired Felicia to write her book: Earth Medicines

  • The intuitive process that guided Felicia as her book emerged 

  • Why Felicia intentionally chose to showcase simple ingredients and a less curated aesthetic for her book

  • The remembrance of returning to our true nature

  • Why connecting with our direct ancestors is so important for our spiritual growth and well-being

  • Why we may be drawn to particular cultures or lineages that are not our own

  • What to do with limiting beliefs around European ancestry

  • How to take an element break

  • How you can begin to connect with the land you’re on in a meaningful way

  • The curandera tradition and Felicia’s initiation as a curandera

  • The last five questions

The Last Five Questions

  1. What is your favorite place in nature?

    By a body of water.

  2. What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?

    Hummingbird.

  3. What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?

    Breathe with intention.

  4. What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?
    Resilience.

  5. Nature brings me…joy.

Connect with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz:

Connect with Our Nature Podcast:

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

episodesAlyssa Benjamincurandera, herbalism2 Comments