Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Barkeim.
Hi Ariel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started on my path to naturopathic medicine as a seeker, not knowing what I was looking for. I wanted to help people holistically, but I couldn’t find how to do it. The conventional medical system felt like it only treated the body; the mental-health system seemed to only address the mind. Public health felt refreshingly holistic, but it was framed at the population level, and I wanted to work one-on-one, up close, helping individuals reclaim their health.
While I was studying at Winona State, I went abroad to Australia and — wha-bam — I discovered naturopathic medicine for the first time. It felt like a homecoming: a system that honored physiology, environment, lifestyle, and meaning all at once. I came back fired up and set my sights on naturopathic school. Life took a few detours (classes to take, adventures to have), and then my partner, now my husband, and I moved to Portland, Oregon so I could do the rigorous work of graduate school. He stuck with me through four transformative years; his steady presence made the long haul possible.
After graduation, we both knew we wanted to come home to southern Minnesota because of family. While we were staying with my aunt, uncle, and their kids, in true small-town fashion a local massage therapist heard I was in town and offered me space in her clinic, along with clients and business support! That generous opening is where Rooted Family Medicine began, in Albert Lea. Not long after, my husband and I settled our home in Winona, and today I’m blessed to have offices in both towns.
My practice blends lab-driven investigation with nature-cure and individualized care. I love meeting people where they are, helping them restore function, resilience, and relationship to the natural world. Rooted Family Medicine is the place I wish I had found when I was searching and every day I get to be that place for someone else.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’d say it’s been a road with plenty of twists and turns. Running a small business means you’re constantly learning on your feet. Every day there’s something new to figure out, something you’ve never done before, and you’re wearing a lot of hats.
On top of that, being a naturopathic doctor in an area where there aren’t many others like me means I see a really wide variety of cases. It’s a bit like being a generalist and a specialist all at once. I end up diving into a broad range of conditions, and that means a lot of ongoing learning and studying.
It definitely takes time and effort to juggle both the business side and the clinical side, but all those bumps along the way have made me more resilient and more dedicated to helping my patients. So while it hasn’t been smooth, it’s been incredibly rewarding.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Rooted Family Medicine is a naturopathic medical practice grounded in the principles of nature cure, the idea that when given the right conditions, the body knows how to heal. My work blends modern functional medicine with traditional naturopathic wisdom, looking at the whole person rather than a list of symptoms.
I see a wide range of patients, from children to elders, but much of my work focuses on chronic, complex conditions; the kinds of cases that don’t fit neatly into a single diagnosis. That includes autoimmune and thyroid conditions, gut health issues, chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and the lingering effects of infection, mold, or toxicity. I love helping people who have been told “everything looks normal” but know something isn’t right.
What sets Rooted apart is the depth and intentionality of care. Every plan is individualized and lab-informed, but also deeply human. I take time to listen, to see patterns, to connect the dots, and to bring both science and soul into the healing process.
Brand-wise, “Rooted” represents more than just the name — it’s a philosophy. It’s about returning to what’s natural and sustainable, honoring the rhythms of the body and the seasons, and cultivating resilience from the inside out. I want people to know that naturopathic medicine isn’t just an alternative — it’s a return to a more balanced, integrated way of being well.
I tend to describe the work as a detective-like approach to individual care with a deep sense of community. I love using natural treatments—like herbs, homeopathy, and nutraceuticals—because they often have low side-effect profiles but are still effective. But I’m not against conventional medical tools—in fact, I often see them as complementary. My goal is to blend the best of both worlds to support long-term quality of life and preventative care, so our patients get the most holistic, sustainable path to wellness.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Beyond the walls of the clinic, a big part of what shapes me and Rooted Family Medicine is my connection to nature and the land. My spouse Derek runs Seekers Wild (nature camps and outdoor education), so our lives have a creative, community-oriented rhythm — we garden, forage, host seasonal events, and look for ways to weave health into everyday life. We love to spend time immersing ourselves in the natural world, whether we’re canoeing on a local river or tending to our garden.
This love of nature is really at the heart of the “nature cure” philosophy that guides my practice. It’s all about recognizing that the rhythms of the natural world can teach us how to live in a healthier, more balanced way. So, for me, naturopathic medicine isn’t just a job—it’s an extension of the way I live and the values I hold. It’s a lifestyle of being rooted in both the natural world and in community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rootedfamilymedicine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedfamilymedicine
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootedfamilymedicine
