Camilla Trujillo

Born and raised in Rio Arriba County, Camilla received her first seeds from her grandmother almost 50 years ago. Her farm currently produces fruit, vegetables and medicinal herbs, with a focus on pollinators and compost. In her words, “I have always known that food and medicine come from the land.”

“When I work in the garden, I am working on myself. When I walk in the wild, looking for medicinal herbs, what I see is a reminder of who I am. Honey bees, iridescent wasps, hummingbird moths: All are good company in the garden, and I am happy they share their sacred space with me. Every day is a gift. In my life, I’d like to enhance the natural world that has nurtured and shaped me. My first seeds were handed to me, in a box, by my grandmother, Toñita Romero Roybal, when I was in my 20s. Without a word, she showed me what was, and remains important: Seeds—like stars—are immortal. ”

Cough syrup recipe

I would like to share this recipe for a highly effective cough syrup that really helped me this past winter:

 Marrubio (Horehound) Cough Syrup

1) Bring one quart of fresh water to a simmer

2) Add 1 Tbsp Anise, and 1/4 cup yarrow (fresh or dried)

3) Simmer until the liquid has evaporated to 2 cups of strong tea

4) Add one small bunch of Malva (mallow), and one smaller bunch of Marrubio

5) Simmer for 5-10 minutes; check for flavor—the Marrubio is bitter

6) Strain the strong tea into 2 cups local honey

7) Take one Tbsp as needed, preferably warm; refrigerate unused portion