Roots Herbal Apothecary

06/25/2025

06/22/2025

The herbal community has lost a legend 💔. Thank you for all you brought to the plant path your willingness to share and spread knowledge in a way that people can absorb. If you ever played Wildcrafted the herbal board game John created it !
His sad passing reminds me to never assume you know what’s going on with someone . Check in on folks, practice random acts of kindness if you don’t already, do it John’s honor.
May you fly free with the dance of plants surrounding you in the heavens herbal brother . Thank you for your wisdom ! 💚🪶💨

It is with a very deep ache and sadness to say goodbye to John Gallagher. He was such a positive force for all in the herbal world, bringing the goodwill of the plants to thousands of people on their herbal journey with Learning Herbs. John was a friend, mentor and colleague. He was a deeply-warm hearted person that always lead with a kind and generous spirit. John always took the time to respond to me at any time with care along with a good dose of herb jokes. I loved his laughter and his life-long passion for caring for the earth. He will be sorely missed.
Kimber Gallagher has shared that he lost his battle with insomnia, anxiety, and depression. My deepest condolences to John's beautiful family, please hold them in your prayers. My heart goes out to his many friends and greater community with whom I know Jonn’s legacy will continue to live on.
You touched many. You changed so many lives. Your work in the world was a gift to us all. Fly Free Brother and May Your Soul be Filled with Peace.

11/25/2024

Sorry for an disappointment but roots will be closed today and of course Thursday .

10/15/2024

We will miss you Karen you are an herbal legend in our community 💝! Thank you for all the laughs love and education that you shared through your life! 💚🦋🤍🙏🏽

From Aphrodite Bellochio and Yeshe Matthews -

A Celebration of Karen's life will take place at Unitarian Universalist Congregation Santa Rosa on November 2at 2 p.m. All are welcome. in lieu of flowers please vote!

Karen Elaine Aguiar
November 21, 1962 - October 9, 2024
She was a bear of a woman.
She was a lion of a woman. She was an entire mycelial consciousness of her own. She was a wave of surprised laughter. She was a safe space. She was an unapologetic Duchess of coffee. She was an animal lover. She was a plant spirit. She was a wise woman who wore a fake mustache. She was a self appointed "Hag" and
"Gold Star Butch". She was a quiet ringleader of movements.
She was who she wanted to be, and she allowed herself. She was a medicine maker and she was the medicine itself. She stood tall. She wasn't afraid to speak truth in an unassuming way so that those who were meant to hear could hear.
She was a raised eyebrow when
an eyebrow needed raising. She was passionate about social jus-tice. She wanted things to be right in our world. Let's make something right today in her name: Karen Aguiar. We will never forget you:
"wonderful and beautiful, always whole. Your loving is a miracle.
Connected to our souls."
Finally out of pain after over 2 years of treatments for cancer, Karen died on 10/9/2024. She held on just long enough for her beloved family and a few friends to visit. Karens longest friend Kathy, and partner Aphrodite were at her side.
Karen is lovingly survived by siblings: Joe, Cecilia, Patty, Theresa, twin brother George, Ed, and many loving in-laws. She was predeceased by brother Mike and parents Mike Aguiar Jr and Anna Mae Aguiar (Noia). She was the favorite, fun "Aunt Karie" to many nieces/nephews and great nieces / nephews. (Also, some very well loved pups).
If you've been involved in the herbal world in Sonoma County, you are most likely a part of her lineage. Her most recent work for over 25 years was co-organizing the Northern California Women's Herbal Symposium and working at the California School for Herba Studies where she taught herbal medicine making.
Rest well Karen, the ripples of your heart and herbal wisdom have touched so many.
A Celebration of Karen's life will take place at Unitarian Universalist Congregation Santa Rosa on November 2at 2 p.m. All are welcome. In leu of flowers please vote!

10/15/2024

We only sell White Sage that is grown in my garden on the coastal ridge line at Roots 🪶🤍. Leave the wild to the folks who use this smoke medicine in their traditions. Don’t buy Sage at big box stores. Know your source.

by Susan Leopold   This year it was evident due to the social media reaction that people were expressing anger and concern over the increase in commercialization of white sage (Salvia apiana) and the cultural appropriation and offensive marketing that overlooks ethics and ecological, cultural aware...

07/02/2024

Hey Friends 🪴
I thought I’d introduce myself cause I don’t think I ever have on this platform and I was feeling cute today and a great sense of nostalgia and pride for my sweet little apothecary . I’m Jacqueline the herbalist and founder of Roots. I had a dream when I moved here back in 2000, to live on land, share my newly gathered knowledge of plant medicines, to cultivate plants for sale and to become a mama. Well 24 years later I am so grateful to say many of those dreams are the reality I live now. Roots celebrated 20 years in April! My beautiful daughter was born in 2003 and just celebrated her 21st year! I opened Roots in 2004 with her in tow when she was 6 months old. Gillian joined me as my beloved Roots partner till 2018 and not a day goes by I don’t miss her presence in our space. 💞I am honored to be the community herbalist and to have held space for so many fears, tears, joy and laughter over the many days the shop has been open . I am generally in the shop Monday through Wednesday and I couldn’t go without the help of my Roots crew. I love to garden, play games, roller skate, see live music, take walks with friends , of course my dogs and all the cool stuff 😂💚🪴🫣!
When you support a small business like mine it makes all the difference in the world. We are grateful for each and every purchase made in Roots. Thank you all for reading this if you took the thyme and listening to my little ramblings of gratitude , life and on….

06/23/2024

Connection Community Love 🌈💞🤍

06/21/2024

05/28/2024

Succulents in the house ……. 💚🤗🪴