Nationwide — As political tensions rise and the healthcare system continues to fail Black and Brown communities, the urgency of self-reliance in health has never been more unmistakable. Master Herbalist Karen Rose, with over 15 years of experience at Sacred Vibes Apothecary in Brooklyn, is doubling down on her mission: to empower Black folks, Indigenous peoples, and people of color to reclaim their health through ancestral healing traditions.When Rose opened Sacred Vibes Apothecary, her goal was straightforward: teach her community how to heal themselves using ancient practices. Growing up in Guyana, she was surrounded by healers who used bones, plants, family, and scripture to help those in need. She understood that different troubles required different types of healers, ensuring there was always someone to turn to for support.
Today, Rose’s holistic approach, deeply rooted in the synergy of African, Caribbean, Asian, and Latin American healing traditions, is more than just necessary; it’s vital in a world where mainstream healthcare often neglects Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. By empowering her community to take control of their health through ancestral healing practices, Rose provides an alternative to the failing healthcare system and promotes a deeper understanding of health and wellness.
Rose believes herbalism is not just about herbs’ physical properties. It’s about understanding them on an energetic and ancestral level. This perspective drives her mission to train new healers and equip them to serve their communities — especially in these uncertain times.
Through her apothecary, botánica, and spice shop, Rose provides Brooklyn with bulk herbs, herbal remedies, and various healing tools. As more people lose access to health insurance, Rose emphasizes that caring for one’s health is possible and affordable. She reminds her students and Instagram followers (@EmpressKarenRose) that our ancestors knew how to care for their bodies even without modern medical resources.
With health insurance costs rising and healthcare becoming increasingly inaccessible, focusing on self-care and prevention is more important than ever. “We uplift our ancestors’ teachings, honor and revere their work, and align ourselves with their traditional practices to heal our generations forward and backward,” Rose asserts.
This year’s conference theme, A Healer in Every Home, is not just timely but essential. Sacred Vibes Apothecary’s annual Herbalism Conference is now in its seventh year – designed to educate and empower Black healers and our brothers and sisters in other communities interested in learning. This event focuses on Black, Brown, and Indigenous peoples and anyone who shares our mission of promoting ancestral healing traditions and reclaiming health.
The three-day event begins with the Black Herbalist Convergence on October 4, 2024 – it’s the first of its kind event specifically for Black Herbalists to gather, elevate, celebrate, and educate one another, followed by two powerful nourishing and informative conference days on October 5-6, 2024, focusing on bringing healing into every home.
A Healer in Every Home is more than a theme; it’s a call to action. The conference offers tools for anyone ready to step up as a holistic healer in their home and community. Knowing essential herbal remedies can reduce time in waiting rooms, save on medical costs, and restore the body’s balance naturally without relying on pharmaceuticals.
Rose comments, “Reconnecting with ancestral herbal remedies is a form of sovereignty and communal power, particularly for Black and Indigenous communities often neglected by an overwhelmed healthcare system. We honor our ancestors and reclaim control over our health by embracing these traditions.”
The Black Herbalist Convergence will kick off the conference on October 4, 2024, setting the stage for transformative learning and healing on October 5-6, 2024. This convergence is a unique opportunity to connect with and learn from experienced Black healers, setting the tone for the rest of the event. As we face these unprecedented times, the call for a healer in every home is more urgent than ever.
Take Action Now
Your participation is crucial. Secure your spot at the conference and join this vital movement to reclaim our health and healing traditions. Purchase your tickets today at NYCSpiritualHerbalismConference.com. Whether you attend or support a Black, Indigenous, or POC healer in your community, your involvement makes a difference. If you cannot participate, consider donating to support the conference’s ongoing efforts or purchasing a BIPOC ticket to make the conference accessible to others who want to empower our communities.
For updates and insights, follow Karen M. Rose on Instagram at Instagram.com/empresskarenmrose/. Together, we can ensure there is a healer in every home.