VIRTUAL HERBALISM CONFERENCE - DAY 4
The Role of Ritual and Intention in Working with Herbs with Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz
In this session, Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz—curandera, author, story teller, Indigenous foods activist, and lead educator at the Herbal Academy—reminds us that working with plants is not only about harvesting, blending, or brewing, but about the intention and energy we bring to those moments. We’ll explore the deeper layers of herbalism, examining how ritual and relationship transform herbal practice into a living, spiritual, and relational path of reverence and reciprocity. Felicia’s perspective invites us to remember that herbalism is as much a spiritual and relational practice as it is a physical one.
Discussion Highlights:
- Defining ritual and intention within the context of working with plants
- Weaving ritual and intention into everyday life as an herbalist
- The influence of curanderismo lineage on rituals and contemporary herbal practice
- Guidance for reconnecting with ancestry through herbs and ritual
- Entry points for science-minded herbalists into ritual and intention-based practice
- Grounding plant-based rituals during times of collective stress or grief
- Ritual as a pathway for restoring balance between people and the natural world
Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz is an award-winning author, curandera, natural foods chef, and Lead Herbalist Educator at the Herbal Academy. Born and raised in the Sonoran Desert, Felicia was inspired by her family’s herbal traditions from northern New Mexico, sharing knowledge of healing, food, and faith through storytelling, kitchen medicine, and folk remedies. Felicia is the author of Earth Medicines and Nana Lupita and the Magic Sopita, with her work featured in Forbes, Food & Wine, and more.
As a Lead Herbalist Educator at the Herbal Academy, Felicia shares her sage wisdom, ancestral knowledge, and experiences with students through her teaching in herbalism courses from beginner to advanced, clinical levels. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she offers one-on-one healing sessions and continues to work with the elements in her practice.
About Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz:
Find Felicia:
- on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feliciacocotzin/
- at https://www.kitchencurandera.com/
- contributing to the Rooted Routines Course and Turmeric Speaker Film, exclusive upgrades in the 2026 Herbalism Conference VIP Pass Ticket!
7:00 PM EST: Medicine Making 101: Making Effective Herbal Products with Mary Blue
NEXT WEBINAR:
Session Premieres Thursday, Feb. 19 at 5:00 pm EST
After registering for the webinar, look for an email from webinars@theherbalacademy.com with the room link.
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Virtual Herbalism Conference: Live Access
OPENING CEREMONY: FEBRUARY 15
DAY 1: FEBRUARY 16
DAY 2: FEBRUARY 17
DAY 3: FEBRUARY 18
- 3:00 PM EST: Medicinal Mushrooms in Current and Traditional Healing Modalities with Jasper Degenaars
DAY 4: FEBRUARY 19
DAY 5: FEBRUARY 20
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