Meet Anna Marie Beauchemin of East Bay Herbals

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Marie Beauchemin.

Anna Marie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Martinez, California. Growing up on an old fruit ranch in the Alhambra Valley, my relationship with the plant (and culinary) world began at a young age. I spent my childhood years running through fields, playing in creeks, and exploring the natural world around me. As a kid, I can remember picking plants in the field to nibble on, and making “medicinal” concoctions from the herbs in my mother’s kitchen. It wasn’t quite medicine at the time, but it sure was a glimpse into the future.

I studied Conservation and Resource Studies at the University of California Berkeley and worked as a field biologist for eight years before transitioning into the world of herbalism. Though I loved my career in the natural sciences, making the move into the herbal world was one of the best (and most terrifying) decisions I’ve made yet.

In addition to my experience in herbalism and biology, I also have a strong background in education and the culinary arts. My career today is a culmination of all of these skills. In my work I aim to weave the age-old tradition of herbalism into the modern world, creating medicine, recipes, and approaches to plant-based health for the everyday individual.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The same things that I may have viewed as obstacles in the past have all been gateways that have led to the present moment. The challenging situations, the many moments of doubt, the loss of those I’ve loved – have all woven together to put me exactly where I am today.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
East Bay Herbals is a community-based apothecary that offers free community workshops, custom formulations, and herbal-based wellness consultations. I started East Bay Herbals as a way to bring accessible and relatable herbalism to my community. I believe in the healing power of plants, and in everyone’s right to access the knowledge they need to start incorporating the concepts of herbalism into their everyday lives.

I feel fortunate and grateful to be able to practice my work in the same community that I grew up in. I hope to inspire the people I come into contact with to begin experimenting with botanical and culinary medicine in their own homes to foster greater health for themselves and their families.

In addition to the services listed above I also offer private workshops and work as a writer, content creator, and independent consultant for businesses.

What were you like growing up?
A reflective and somewhat introspective child, I spent a lot of time outside. I loved being a part of the natural world, and from a very young age I knew that I wanted to be an herbalist, I just didn’t know what an herbalist was.

When I thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I pictured myself as an old woman with a kitchen full of jars of herbs. People would come to my house, and I would mix them up some healing tea and send them on their way with the plants they needed.

Contact Info:

• Website: eastbayherbals.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastbayherbals/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastbayherbals/

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.