A business owner in Savannah, Georgia, is revitalizing her family’s Gullah Geechee herbal medicine traditions through her shop, Geechee Girl Apothecary. Located on West Bay Street, the store features over 100 herbs, handcrafted soaps, and a full-service café, reflecting the rich heritage of her ancestors.
Marrisa Rawls, owner of Geechee Girl Apothecary, attributes her passion for herbal healing to her childhood experiences with her Gullah Geechee grandparents in South Carolina. She recalls how her grandparents cared for her during frequent illnesses. “I was very sick when I was a kid. I was a preemie, so my lungs weren’t developed,” Rawls explained. Her grandmother, Buella, and grandfather, Willie, utilized plants to treat her ailments, imparting knowledge that Gullah Geechee families have relied on for generations.
The passing of her grandparents motivated Rawls to formally pursue herbalism. Her grandfather Willie died in 1998, and her grandmother followed in 2019. “I didn’t really start this herbalism journey until later. It was 2020. My grandmother passed in 2019. My granddaddy Willie passed in 1998. And I was like, ‘Oh my God, no one’s left to make me a tea,’” she recalled. This personal loss inspired her to study herbal medicine and eventually launch her shop, starting with selling Geechee Girl Tea.
At the apothecary, customers can find a diverse range of herbs, from alfalfa leaf to yarrow. The inventory includes plants specifically associated with Gullah Geechee healing practices, such as life everlasting (also known as rabbit tobacco) and mullein. Pre-blended teas are thoughtfully crafted to support various aspects of health, including heart, kidney, and liver function, as well as overall wellness. One notable blend, Mommy’s Love, was created by Rawls to address painful menstrual cycles she experienced in her youth.
Customers visiting the shop have the flexibility to choose herbs individually at an in-store weigh station or consult with Rawls for personalized guidance. “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,’” Rawls noted, emphasizing her commitment to customer engagement and education.
The offerings at Geechee Girl Apothecary reflect the influence of Rawls’s ancestors on her work. “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 explained. Rawls hopes that visitors leave her shop not only with products but also feeling a sense of love and connection to their heritage. “I hope when people leave, they feel the love. They feel at home. And they see you can honor your heritage and where you’re from in small, everyday ways,” she stated.
Geechee Girl Apothecary operates on West Bay Street in Savannah and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Through her dedication to Gullah Geechee traditions, Rawls is ensuring that the knowledge and healing practices of her ancestors continue to thrive in her community.
