The bEst!!! This establishment is the wealth of the town. I know Berkeley has a lot of great places yet having an herb shop of this caliber is the true crown. The plant medicine mavens are kind, knowledgeable and astute. I happily travel hundreds of miles to patron Llhasa Karnak read more

My fiancé wanted to do a bbq spice rub as wedding favors. They not only had all the spices, they were able to blend them in bulk, saving me so much time and energy. Thanks Aaron! read more

Thank you Willow: she was kind, patient and helpful. The store is clean, organized and inviting; lots to chose from. I will be back. read more

Lhasa Karnak Herb Company - Hibiscus tea leaves, nettle tea leaves, Maca powder and ceylon cinnamon. Plus ginger mints. - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Berkeley, California

I came in recently to buy some bulk herbs for teas and tinctures. The staff was friendly and helpful. Huge assortment of herbs, spices, oils,which can also be found on their website. They has have some pre-made tea blends. Reasonable prices. I will be back to get more herbal remedies! read more

They are very helpfull also have every homeopathic items your looking for. Also carries a large variety of books

I've had the pleasure to purchase a variety of teas to assist with health ailments. The products are great. In the heart of. Berkeley with great service. Most recently I did a consultation with a practitioner and she was amazing . I now feel like I'm recovering from some ailments. Love this place. read more

I recently moved to Berkeley and live close to this lovely establishment. I absolutely love the selections of herbs, spices, books oils et cetera. Most of the team members are also super friendly, helpful, kind, and knowledgeable. Because I live close by I will sometimes drop in to browse. I always buy something when I can. Why the 'mid' review? During one of my visits I was helped by an unpleasant gentleman, tall with long dark blonde hair that was held in a ponytail. He was brusque and impatient when I asked him about one of the herbs I was hoping to buy. He seemed upset that I dared ask a question and he kept sighing and rolling his eyes. I tried making friendly banter about one of the herbs and he retorted something under his breath. Despite his unfriendly demeanor, I ended buying about 15 different herbs but I avoid this place like the plague when I see him at the store. Why he is customer-facing is beyond me given his poor attitude. read more

Great prices on a wide range of quality culinary herbs and spices, plus a huge variety of herbal teas and other products. As many reviewers have noted, staff tend to be less than friendly and service can be painfully slow, so I only use the online pre-order/pick up at the San Pablo store option to refill my spice cabinet. The business would likely do better if they made customers feel more welcome to browse. read more

I drove 40 minutes from Vallejo to get a few necessary spices. I walked in 7 minutes before closing (there was an accident on the road that held up traffic) and gave my list of 5 spices I needed. No amounts were on the list and the young woman who helped me - blondish curly hair, nose ring, large mole on upper lip area - informed me sweetly that she couldn't fill my order (5 things!) before 6 when they closed. There's an employee who could not care less about the business she works for or about customers. They've lost me. I assured her it wasn't a problem as I would take my business elsewhere. Oaktown Spice, I'm yours! read more

I've been in here a few times in 2024 and enjoyed my experience, very different from a couple of years ago, so I'm updating my review! It's clean and organized and staff was helpful in helping me find a locally-made gift. read more

Great selection of bulk teas, herbs, natural remedies and natural remedy literature that is difficult to find elsewhere. Knowledgeable staff and unique and artistic products. Excellent place to find all kinds of alternative medicine. read more

Enormous selection of Herbs, tinctures and plenty else! Knowledgeable staff kind and helpful, looking forward to coming back and getting more. read more

Rude staff, arrogant from the minute you need help at the register. And it's Berkeley, good vibes this place could be. Talking to the staff makes you uncomfortable. Never felt like this about any other business. In the beginning thought it was just that they were having a bad day. The following visits confirmed. Looking for another business like this. It's too bad, convenient location, but really why spend your money at a business that feels like these cats think they are better than their customers from the second you walk up to the counter. read more

I was at the store last November got products recommended by Willow she is a certified Herbal Therapist and went back to get some of the products that ran out highly recommended a consultation with her worth every dollar if you value your health. read more

Lhasa Karnak Herb Company - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I grab most things from The Natural Grocery in El Cerrito but come here to grab my zinc spray along with bulk herbs that they have to make homemade tinctures! I love their wide selections and the staff is always more than helpful. read more

This is my go to herbalist. They are so knowledgeable and patient. It's always a treat for me to go there. The aroma in the store, the herbal collection and the least expected conversation are my favorite memory about this place. read more

I was suprised to see anyone complained about the service at this wonderful business. I came in the other day looking for some niche herbs that I could not find elsewhere. The young woman working was incredibly knowledgeable. She answered all of my questions and I had many! If they don't have your herb they can likely point you in the right direction. Clean and pretty inside 10/10 read more

perfection!: people service beauty and wonderfull goods love bill ps: perfection!: people service beauty and wonderfull goods love bill ps: perfection!: people service beauty and wonderfull goods love bill ps: perfection!: people service beauty and wonderfull goods love bill ps: read more

I wish I could give 5 stars, but the customer service was awful. (I'll stick to the wonderful herb shops in Marin from now on). The two women working at the counter were snooty and grumpy. Lhasa Karnak is a staple, but I wish the person doing the hiring cared more about customers feeling cared for. I came in on 6/10 or 6/11 with a smile, mid day over the weekend, with a clear list of tinctures I needed. There was only one other customer. I was treated as a nuisance, like somehow just being there I was interfering with the weighing of herbs they were doing. Neither woman working there ever smiled or welcomed me. The younger one finally helped me, but interrupted me when I spoke. She also did not know anything about female cycle support, and didn't offer to ask the other woman working there to help me either. I wish I could say I felt supported as a customer in any way. But I didn't. read more

I went to Lhasa to buy an oil for my partner. But I wasn't sure what to buy. So I asked the solo male working there for advice, and I was shocked at how rude he was. As if I had the audacity to ask a question. Literally banging books down on the desk, rolling his eyes, treating me like a total idiot when I asked a question, such as: "What's a good oil to mix with Frankincense....?" I was shaken to my core. I'd shopped there years before and a lovely women had helped me, offering advice, etc., and I bought a great musk oil, as a result. I thought I'd have a similar experience, but it was just the opposite. The guy was rude, disparaging, and hostile. I almost asked if he was okay - but feared another rude outburst. What a disappointment. This happened in Feb. of 2024 but I'm just now able to write the review. I needed to put space between me and this place. read more

HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.I have been going to this shop for 40 years, starting with the location on Telegraph. The Herbs are Top Rate but I have never been so rudely treated as today at their San Pablo shop. I had noticed the snotty attitude of the workers before this but thought it was just that one worker. but today I was in the shop with my Moroccan husband and the rude and nasty attitude of the female worker there was beyond belief. I don't know if they are Muslim haters or if they are Simply "woke" but I don't think I will ever shop at the San Pablo store again if that cashier is still there. I used to know the owner and his son. If you are still the owners maybe you should teach your cashiers some manners towards older people and Muslims. And now I see other reviews with the same complaint. Owner, are you not listening? read more

These good folks have been around for many, many years. They are the only local herb store around that sells a full range of what most herbalists need, for very reasonable prices. Ive been shopping there since the early 70's and have never witnessed any racism. In fact, Ive seen the opposite many times during my visits. It takes a lot to keep a small business going, especially in times like these. You can count on the staff to have the wisdom and knowledge about their products, which is rare with some herbal shops these days. They provide a very important service to our community, which I so appreciate. Thank you Lhasa Karnak! I would give them 20 stars if they were available on yelp. read more

I have been a Customer to Lhasa for many years living walking distance. My last two times I have gone to I have been highly disappointed. Prior I have been able to be helped by someone knowledgeable. These last two times I've gone and been told by a employee that I should do my do my own research. She didn't help me in any way or give me information like Employees did years prior. On top of this the prices have gone up . I purchased a sunscreen for almost $20, but later seen in at Raileys for just $10! Really disappointed as a long term customer who wants to help my community small business. But I will take my shopping somewhere else now. read more

Came in here looking for some help with some a few issues im having and well, SKYLYNN (i hope i am spelling it right) assisted me and she was a great hell! Very knowledgeable about different herbs, very helpful when it came to decision making for what she believed was better for my situation. I plan ti return in the future for when i need herbs! There selection of herbs and tinctures was everything too! I high recommend this place!!! read more

The reviews about this place having a bad vibe are accurate. I rarely leave reviews in general, but I have to say - as a place that's supposed to promote healing and well-being, it's very clear that the workers here are unhappy and deeply unwell. One woman in particular had such a rude and cold energy that oozed throughout the whole atmosphere. There is definitely some toxic dynamics happening among the team behind the scenes that we will likely never know about. I won't be coming back. Hope the staff finds deep inner healing to tend to their own wounds that spill onto others. read more

After deciding to switch away from teabags, I went into Lhasa Karnak with a HUGE order of teas, asking for the minimum weight I'd each. To my surprise they had every tea I asked for available! Plus, even though I was possibly the most obnoxious customer they had that day (week, month?) they still treated me with kindness and completed my order incredibly quick. I will be a customer for life! read more

Let me start by saying Lhasa Karnak on Shattuck is an amazing source for me as a fledgling herbalist. They have pretty much every herb a person might need in bulk, an impressive assortment of books on how to use herbs for healing, and a bunch of other goodies to help you on your way to making medicine. Which is why it pains me so much to leave a poor review for this place. But seriously, the staff here are THE WORST. I've been in about a half dozen times. Nobody working here is ever more than lukewarm. Which is fine. But once in a while, they're awful. I visited last weekend and had one such experience. This staffer wasn't just indifferent or rude, they were straight up mean. Mean when I asked how their day was going. Shamed me because I hadn't placed an order online. Mean to me because I wasn't specifying the format for some items ('chamomile' rather than 'chamomile flower'). About the format of the herbs - I even offered to answer clarifying questions about my needs, because I'm sort of new to herbalism. When I left, I realized that this person should have been the one offering to answer questions! They work there, and staff who want to keep their customers offer to help them. Lhasa - I love your selection but I won't be returning. I'm surprised anybody shows up for the bad attitude roulette. Potential customers -- do yourself a favor and go ANYWHERE ELSE. read more

It's almost laughable how hostile you all are. I really want to love this place, it smells so good, but I wont be back. What's making you all so peevish? The smallest question about an herb sets off the guy at the counter, "What do you want?! You want me to cure Covid?!" Of course I don't want you to cure Covid. But you sell herbs. So you ought to know something about what they're good for. Give me a disclaimer if that's the issue; say "This is what this herb is known for." Bc I can buy a lot of this stuff at Sprouts a lot cheaper. Whatever. I'm not coming back. When you go out of business I'll know why. I've found another local herb shop. Too bad the owners don't seem to care about all these bad reviews - we spent a lot of money here over the years. read more

What a resource for a huge list of items plus expert advice on all the merchandise this longtime Bay Area establishment sells.

I'm not one to take the time to write a negative review but this one came without a doubt. Great store don't get me wrong but the employees completely ruin the place. Flat out rude and in my opinion, unknowledgeable. Almost as if they want to get you out of the store as soon as possible. When I asked what the stores best sellers were the lady laughs? I replied back with what's so funny and she walks away? Rude people with bad vibes. Lost my business from that point on. read more

I live within walking distance of the San Pablo location and choose to support local businesses as much as possible. Unfortunately, when I went in here for the first time, the experience with the employees was so bad that I'm completely uncomfortable ever going back unless I want to feel terrible. I was treated immediately like I was nuisance from the start, despite how polite I was. I asked a question and it was answered rudely (and incorrectly). This person was not knowledgable, so I was confused why they were working there. They also treated me like I was idiot. I kept dishing out kindness because I understand ppl have bad days, but the hostility only continued. The other employee remained in the background, just watching, and didn't offer any input when their fellow employee didn't know the answer to a simple question. If it wasn't for them, I would be in here quite often because they are so close to me and I purchase a variety of items they carry regularly. read more

Awesome staff and best place to go to get fresh herbs at a great price. Someone in the spice and air at Berkeley Bowl recommended this place vs. paying $$$$ for one jar of herb when I only needed 1 teaspoon. read more

I hate to say this, but the other reviews are right. They are incredibly rude here. I would not go back. There are plenty of other apothecary's and herbalists without an attitude. I will say the products I got from there were really good though. read more

Back in the early 90s I dove into the world of herbs and natural healing. There is nowhere I feel more at home and welcomed than around healing medicinals, but the vibe here was so UNwelcoming that I would, when possible, choose to head to Rainbow in SF. I really wanted to love Lhasa Karnak, but always felt uncomfortable inside the store. Fast forward 30 years and ... nothing has changed. I guess it is a particular culture that is nurtured at this store, and it does no credit to the amazing items and (plant) beings that one can find there. Go for the herbs you need, but don't expect the humans to welcome you. read more

I see some reviews saying that these folk are outright racist and I have to say that this was definitely my sense over the last two visits. The staff member started off with an aggressive and rude tone and then escalated as the interaction went on. At the very least, extremely hostile from the outset for no apparent reason. I guess they get a kick out of abusing customers because it seems to be their thing and to have gone on for a very long time. Maybe POCs and their allies could take their business elsewhere. read more

Four stars for the store's stock of herbs, supplies, and literature, plenty to fulfill both needs and desires. I'd like to just make mention of my experience, which I'm trying to tell myself is a result of the new procedures and subsequent anxiousness COVID-19 is causing. I ordered a small, single item to be picked up. After receiving the second email -- not the confirmation of my order -- stating that my order was ready for pick up, I made my way to the store. To both of our surprise, my order was not ready. The employee proceeded to tell me, in a very unwelcoming way, that I needed to give them time to prepare the order. When I mentioned that I received the pick-up email, I was told that the email was merely confirming my order. I could have proceeded to show them the email, yada yada, but I did not feel encouraged to do so, especially after a sigh of disbelief was given from the employee. Mind you, I'm the only customer in the store at this time and there are two employees, none whom greeted me upon entering. Anyhow, they prepared my package and when I gave my thank you before leaving, their response was, "Yup...". Ive only come to this store twice and both times I have not felt welcomed nor attended to genuinely. Perhaps it's just a mere coincidence that the days I've come the employees are having a rough morning, but no matter the cause, I, as a patron, should not be made to feel ignorant when I am not in the wrong. Otherwise, perhaps the email ordering system needs to be revamped so as to not mislead and confuse customers and workers upon pick-up arrival. read more

Racist and hypocritical behavior from the sales associates here. While Lhasa Karnak offers a wide selection of herbs, I URGE you to take your business to a place that treats customers with respect. I came in to purchase some herbs to blend into a tea. After asking about a specific ingredient, the sales associate informed me that this plant was native to Mexico. She said that this was used in traditional remedies and asked me to educate myself about its effects, usages, etc. This was all fine and appreciated - I didn't know its background and I'm happy to learn more about how to treat these ingredients with the appropriate care and respect. But then, she irritably tells me that these products are sacred and they aren't meant for me. As she rings me up, she says "maybe next time you should make teas with ingredients from your OWN culture." I am of Asian descent. Not only are tea plants quite literally from my culture, clearly the irony of this statement was lost to her as she stood in front of shelves FULL of traditional Asian medicines and teas that she had no problem peddling to other customers. Honestly, if these herbs are so sacred, maybe they shouldn't be sold for commercial profit at your store. You don't get to have it both ways - to both profit from traditional wisdom and practices AND shame customers for buying your products. Lhasa Karnak - a store with white owners, with a name derived from Tibetan and Egyptian roots - seems to have no problem making a dime on herbal products that come from all corners of the world. And yet they're the ones on a high horse about cultural exploitation and appropriation? Might be time to take a long hard look in the mirror. read more

Looking for herbs? Lhasa Karnak is a comprehensive herb shop. This is not a vitamin supplement shop or a nutrition shop where their main products are muscle building supplements and herbs are a side business. This is a true natural healing and wellbeing herb shop. They stock jars and jars of herbs that you can buy in bulk or if you prefer, they also sell them by the capsules. If you are not sure what you need there are books and also some very knowledgeable and friendly staff members. Next time? Replenish my supply of teas. read more

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Super friendly & knowledgeable employees. Great selection. Can't say enough good things about this spot. I come in about half a dozen times a year & never had a bad experience!!! read more

We've shopped here from time to time. Nice little herb shop on a good business street in Berkeley. Prices are high though. Sometimes... because we've wanted a certain herb or tincture timely we've purchased anyway. Last week my husband was looking for a specific herb. We were in the car and didn't mind driving around to different shops. I was looking online as he was driving here and there. We remembered Lhasa Karnak. My husband went into the store and found the herb. He said "Great. Hold on. I'll let you know in a bit". Woman said we'll just keep it here for you so whenever... just come by". When he came back to the car, I had found the EXACT same herb by the exact same company he had found; only mine was for TWICE AS MUCH PRODUCT FOR SEVEN DOLLARS LESS. AND I could get it OVERNIGHT. We were thrilled. I said "So let's go". He said he wanted to tell the woman he didn't need it after all. He is a very polite man... So...yes he went in and politely thanked her for her time and showed her the difference. This woman tried everything NOT to look at the huge discrepancy and finally just stopped engaging him in a very rude sort of manner. So... I get it. She was busted. Nobody likes bad news. This really rattled my husband though and it took a minute for him to feel better after the experience. Who needs that in their life? We know Berkeley is expensive. We live here too. The price difference however was too much to ignore. I just want to make buyers aware of HOW MUCH MORE expensive the products are than they should be. Not going back. Lesson learned. read more