Earth Medicines - by Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In Earth Medicines, Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz (Tewa/Xicana) weaves together stories of her own indigenous wisdom with the power of the four elements to achieve inner and outer harmony. Including recipes and rituals that highlight the power of Water, Air, Earth, and Fire, this book is a reminder that the natural elements are the origins of everything - and can heal our body, mind, and spirit. Felicia thinks of earth medicine as a way of engaging with Mother Earth every day- having a deepened relationship with the four elements and incorporating them into our daily lives. This modern guide to working with earth medicines is designed to support you on your path of wellness with lifestyle practices collected by Felicia in her twenty-five years of working with complimentary modalities"--

Book Synopsis

Winner of the 2022 Eating the West Award!
Winner of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Book Award!

An accessible guide to time-honored Indigenous wisdom, healing recipes, and wellness rituals for modern life from an experienced curandera.

In Earth Medicines, Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz, a curandera (or traditional healer) who is a Xicana with Tewa ancestry, combines Indigenous wisdom from many traditions with the power of the four elements. This modern guide is designed to support readers on their path to wellness with lifestyle practices and recipes perfected by Ruiz in her twenty-five years of training and working as a curandera. Ruiz teaches readers to be their own healers by discovering their own ancestral practices and cultivating a personal connection to the elements.

These healing recipes and rituals draw on the power of Water, Air, Earth, and Fire--a reminder that the natural elements are the origins of everything and can heal not only our bodies, but the mind and spirit as well.

In chapters organized by each element, readers will first find recipes and advice for:

Promoting inner harmony through Hydrotherapy for Headache Relief, Mayan Tea to Calm the Mind, or Ginger Fire Honey Chews

Nurturing beauty inside and out with Tepezcohuite Honey Mask, Salt of the Earth Deodorant, or Sweetwater Herbal Mouth Rinse

Taking care of the spirit by creating an ancestral altar, making loose incense, or performing a Mayan Bajo Steaming Ritual

Review Quotes

"Felicia's whole being and personal energy radiates healing. I am so excited that now so many others will be able to share in her wisdom and grace."--Padma Lakshmi, Host/Executive Producer of Hulu's Taste the Nation and Bravo's Top Chef

"Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz has distilled twenty-three years of wisdom-gathering in one gorgeous book, making traditional, culinary healing accessible and inspiring for readers."--Dana Cowin, founder of Giving Broadly and former editor-in-chief of Food & Wine magazine

"An exemplary guide to healing our bodies and our families through beautiful rituals and dishes! A gift to us all shared by Felicia, passed down from her indigenous lineage."--Beatrice Valenzuela

"[Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz] is a role model for the ages, and I am so excited for her opportunity to share her wisdom, recipes, and healing spirit, all in such a beautiful book."--Sean Sherman, CEO and founder of The Sioux Chef and NATIFS.org

"Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz reminds us that we're all merely parts of a much bigger whole, and everything around us has so much to teach us."--Julia Turshen, bestselling author of Simply Julia, host of Keep Calm & Cook On, and founder of Equity at the Table

About the Author

FELICIA COCOTZIN RUIZ (Tewa/Xicana) is a curandera and Indigenous foods activist whose work is deeply rooted in the healing properties of sacred plants. Sharing the Medicine of the People, Felicia weaves together stories of Indigenous wisdom with the intention of her dishes, applying "Culinary Medicine," as named by one of her Maestras.

Curanderas are traditional healers, who carry knowledge of foods, herbs, and other cultural remedies working with the body, mind, and spirit. Curanderismo has been practiced throughout the Americas for over five hundred years, with each healer offering a unique skillset applying their natural gifts, training, or cultural practices. With permission from her elders, Felicia shares her work with others through private consultations, workshops, and ceremony.