Roots Herbal Apothecary
Point Arena’s Plant-Medicine-and-More Shop
by Lisa Ludwigsen
Humans have always relied on plants to nourish and heal us. The ancient art and science of healing with plants, called phytotherapy, traces back to the beginning of human civilization. From ancient Egypt to traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine in India, plants were the primary tools for health and healing.
Over time, European folk medicine also developed a rich tradition of herbal knowledge, passed on through formulas shared by apothecaries and local healers. In the 1800s the modern pharmaceutical industry was born when advances in chemistry began isolating individual constituents in plants, shifting the focus away from whole plant medicine. A great example is the salicylic acid derived from willow bark that serves as the main ingredient in today’s aspirin.
Most of us have lost that connection to plant medicine beyond making a cup of chamomile tea to relax. Luckily, there are still people with strong relationships to plants who hold and share the knowledge of how to engage with them.
You’ll find one of those knowledgeable and generous people in Jacqueline Strock, the owner of Roots Herbal Apothecary, located on Main Street in the tiny town of Point Arena. Jacqueline has been in business over 20 years, building a loyal following from the locals and tourists who visit her shop. The apothecary is at once a step back in time and an inspiring introduction to a modern-day apothecary. “People always think my customers are mostly tourists,” said Strock. “In fact, 90% are locals along with a good group of tourists who have been here before and make a point of stopping in.” She added with a chuckle, “I get all the cool tourists.”
Strock founded the store almost by accident. “I attended herb school in Boulder and then moved to Mendocino County with my husband,” she recalled. “I thought I would be a farmer but realized it wasn’t for me. When we bought some land near Point Arena, I opened the apothecary.”
After 21 years running the store, Jacqueline still loves what she does and is especially pleased with the community. “People tell me they feel better when they leave the store than they did coming in. That makes me very happy.”
“My store is really rootsy,” shared Strock. She sells her own line of salves, lip balm, hair oil, and tea blends. She also stocks bulk herbs for folks to make their own teas and herbal products. “I don’t offer formal consultations but I’m always happy to provide guidance and answer questions.”
Besides the herbal products like teas, tinctures, and salves, the shop carries crafts and gifts, many sourced from women-owned businesses. Wares include jewelry, soaps, kitchen goods, books, and more. These often pop up on the store’s Instagram account, @rootsherbalapothecary. Kitchen and garden posts can share a recipe, talk about an herb, or explain the benefits of a particular wild-harvested plant.
Empowering others to explore the world of plant medicine and create their own brings Jacqueline genuine joy. “I like to light a spark and inspire people to do this themselves,” she said. And while she is often too busy with the store to set up her own workshops, she is delighted to be invited to other events to share what she knows. She can bring projects and instruction to a kids’ summer camp, a harvest festival, or any other gathering of plant-minded people.
In a world racing to get nowhere, it is comforting to find a spot where a person can check in, find a friendly face, and perhaps learn a bit about plant medicine. There is a world of plants and their remedies available for you to discover, and Jacqueline can help you do that.
Roots Herbal Apothecary
240 Main St, Point Arena
(707) 882-2699 | rootsherbalapothecary.org
Open Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat 12pm - 5pm
Photos courtesy of Roots Herbal Apothecary