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
