Berber pharmacies are shops lined with walls of spices, herbs, and other natural products. One way to describe them is a shock to the senses… in the best way! They are often family-owned and run and passed down through generations.
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Berber pharmacies have a variety of herbs, spices, and elixirs for health and cosmetic purposes and also cooking. When visiting a Berber pharmacy, you can expect the ‘pharmacists’ (who wear white coats) to teach you about the herbal healing methods of the indigenous Berber people and allow you to sample some products. Even though modern medicines are widely available in Morocco, many locals still rely on these herbal remedies.
Before anything else, expect to be offered mint tea, as is custom in Morocco. Apparently it’s considered rude to turn down tea, but given you need to be careful about the tap water in Marrakech, it’s up to you whether you want to drink it. However we drank the tea and were totally fine. I read that since the water is boiled, it’s usually nothing to worry about.
During our visits to two pharmacies we sampled different oils, lotions, perfumes, and even seeds to clear out our sinuses and prevent snoring (I made my mom buy these). There are many 100% natural and locally made oils, such as argan, which is difficult to come by and expensive in most of the world. In Morocco, argan oil is actually called ‘liquid gold.’
It’s not hard to find these pharmacies in Marrakech, as they’re all throughout the city center. Visiting a pharmacy is definitely an experience in and of itself, even if you don’t purchase anything. But honestly, you will probably purchase something!
I definitely recommend picking up a few of the products as they make fantastic souvenirs — plus you’re supporting the local economy. As is custom in Morocco, don’t forget to haggle (typically ask for 30-50% of the original price)!
Personally, I bought prickly pear seed cactus oil which came with a free argan oil. We were also gifted ‘Berber lipstick.’ This lipstick is basically a pot of red-colored clay that you dab with water and apply to your lips.
Visiting two Berber pharmacies was one of the highlights of my time in Marrakech. I’m already halfway through my argan oil… I guess it’s time to go back!
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