Our Story
Who We Are
The Sanctuary is an apothecary, botánica, and wellness studio in Oakland, California founded and stewarded by Stephanie & Etecia Burrell. We are rooted in Traditional African Medicine. We offer spiritual and holistic wellness services, organic herbs & herbal formulas (African, Eastern, and Western), spiritual and ritual tools, community education & events that center the unique needs of African Diasporic and displaced peoples.
Every offering—from the herbal blends we craft to the garments we design—is deeply interwoven with the land and our ancestors.
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Shop Herbal Remedies
Our herbal remedies are handcrafted on-site by our co-founder, a Traditional African Medicine (TAM) Practitioner, Clinical Herbalist, and Ayurvedic Health Counselor with over a decade of experience. Each formula is intentionally designed using organic, non-GMO, fair trade ingredients, many of which are locally sourced.
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Shop Spiritual Goods
As the only botánica in the Bay Area offering fresh, organic, non-GMO, fair trade ritual herbs, we are deeply honored to hold this sacred responsibility. All of our spiritual remedies are prepared in-house by traditional initiated priests, guided by ancestral spiritual practice and divination. Our handmade Lukumí, Ifá, and Palo spiritual tools and supplies are ethically sourced and crafted by knowledgeable artisans rooted in these traditions.
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Adorn Yourself
All of our apparel and home decor is mindfully made using eco-friendly organic and/or recycled materials. Sustainability is indigenous. We believe that all that touches the body and adorns the home is spiritual and should be made with care for both the planet and the people.
Our Vision
The Sanctuary is more than a brick-and-mortar. It is a vessel for spiritual, cultural, and ecological liberation. Our work connects the soul of the soil with the soul of the people—honoring the sacred link between land and lineage. Grounded in cultural integrity, we hold space for personal transformation and collective liberation.
“Heaven is home and earth is the marketplace. There is always constant passage between the two.”
Our Mission
We are on a mission to create a sustainable Black eco-system through:
- Preserving the African ancestral ways of knowing and meaning making
- Reconnecting people with their sacred purpose and divine destiny
- Healing through indigenous medicine and technologies
- Restoring Black, Indigenous, land stewardship
Visit Us
WE MOVED! OUR NEW LOCATION IS: 4020 BROADWAY OAKLAND, CA
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GRAND RE-OPENING MARCH 1, 2026