Poke Root Apothecary

Herbal and Somatic Consultations

Meet Samaria

Herbalist, Educator and Somatic Practitioner

I am an herbalist, farmer, educator, artist, musician, somatic practitioner, mother, and visionary. I have been studying herbalism for 10 years and have helped to make herbal medicine more accessible to my community through my work as co-founder of the DC Mutual Aid Apothecary. Over the last ten years, I have honed my skills as an herbalist through self-study, hands-on learning, and formal instruction with Well of Indigenous Wisdom, VCIH, Wild Ginger Herbal Center, and Wild Current.

I love working with the land and I grow a wide range of herbs. I also love making herbal medicine with my community and have been training community herbalists through DCMA's Herbalist In Community Training Program for two years. Drawing on my training in Indigenous Wisdom, I aim to incorporate the knowledge and wisdom of healers throughout the African Diaspora into how I show up as a teacher and practioner. I also draw on the wisdom of Ayurveda to help me understand your personal constitution and the herbs and foods that could work best with your body.

Most recently I studied with Dr. Ruby Gibson, creator of Somatic Archaeology© and I am certified to share the gift of Somatic Archaeology© with my community. In my consultations, I aim to incorporate the wisdom of the plants, elements, and the body to create a safe space for you to explore your personal story. I firmly believe that I am here to merely help guide you on your journey into balance, but that the wisdom you need lies within you and your story.

If you are interested in working with me as an herbalist, somatic practioner or both, please read on to learn about how you can book a consultation with me today! I look forward to working with you and helping guide your body back into balance.

What is Somatic Archaeology©

Somatic Archaeology© was developed by Dr. Ruby Gibson and is beautifully conveyed in her book My Body, My Earth. It is a process of learning how to become embodied and decipher the stories that are held within your body, stories that you have acquired either during your lifetime or inherited from generations before you. Somatic Archaeology© is the process of uncovering by following the sensations that are present within your body and learning how to listen and decipher their meaning.

During our session's we follow the five steps of Somatic Archaeology©,

1) I notice, 2) I sense, 3) I feel, 4) I interpret, 5) I reconcile. This powerful process helps you to learn how to understand the language of the body through felt sense instead of through thought. Read more about Somatic Archaeology© by visiting Dr. Ruby Gibson's website.

If you are interested in exploring this approach to trauma, please book an introductory consultation with me.

Our Services

Interested in exploring your personal or historical trauma using Somatics? Our 90-minute Somatic Archaeology © sessions will guide you through the 5 steps of Somatic Archaeology ©. Using guided breath work, and gentle questioning we will help you to tune into your body and begin to uncover the stories buried within your soma.

Herbal Consults

Are you interested in incorporating herbal medicine into your life? Through our herbal consultations, we will work with you to explore your health history, current health, personal stories, goals, and expectations. Our recommendations will include herbs, nutrition, and other lifestyle recommendations. Our goal is to work with you to help you bring your body back into balance.

Guided Breathwork

Do you need support with releasing tension? Or are you interested in meditation or breathwork but don't know where to start? We will work with you to create a relaxing 30-minute guided meditation session and/or answer any questions you may have about incorporating this into your life.