A business owner in Savannah, Georgia, is honoring her heritage by preserving the Gullah Geechee tradition of herbal healing through her establishment, Geechee Girl Apothecary. The shop, located on West Bay Street, offers a diverse selection of over 100 herbs, handcrafted soaps, and a full-service café, creating a holistic space that combines wellness and culture.
Marrisa Rawls, the owner, credits her introduction to herbal medicine to her childhood experiences with her Gullah Geechee grandparents in South Carolina. Rawls often relied on their care during her frequent illnesses. “I was very sick when I was a kid. I was a preemie, so my lungs weren’t developed when I was born. I was born with a lot of digestive issues,” she explained. Her grandparents, particularly her grandmother Buella, used natural remedies drawn from their ancestral knowledge, a practice that has been passed down through generations.
The loss of her grandparents was a turning point for Rawls. Her grandfather Willie passed away in 1998, followed by her grandmother in 2019. This profound impact motivated her to formalize the herbal knowledge she had received. “I didn’t really start this herbalism journey until later. It was 2020. I was like, ‘Oh my God, no one’s left to make me a tea,’” Rawls recounted.
After studying herbalism, Rawls began selling Geechee Girl Tea, which laid the foundation for her apothecary. The shop features an extensive inventory that includes traditional plants used in Gullah Geechee healing, such as life everlasting, also known as rabbit tobacco, and mullein. Rawls has developed pre-blended teas aimed at supporting heart, kidney, liver health, and general wellness. One notable blend, Mommy’s Love, was inspired by her experiences with painful menstrual cycles.
Visitors to the apothecary can choose to shop for herbs at an in-store weigh station or seek personalized advice from Rawls. “They can either shop the herbs themselves and weigh them at our weigh station, or they can come to me and say, ‘This is kind of my goal,’” she explained.
Rawls emphasizes that the shop’s offerings reflect the deep-seated influence of her ancestors. “Everything that we do ties back into something. Whether it’s because Grandma Sarah made soap, or Grandma White. It’s really me taking what they put into me and putting it back out,” she said. Her goal is for customers to leave feeling a sense of love and connection to their heritage.
Geechee Girl Apothecary is not only a space for herbal remedies but also a community hub that celebrates Gullah Geechee culture. The shop is closed on Sundays and Mondays, welcoming patrons to explore its offerings Tuesday through Saturday. By keeping these traditions alive, Rawls is ensuring that the healing practices of her ancestors continue to thrive in modern times.
