A fume hood is not strictly needed but you need very good ventilation. A half mask respirator (or full face but they're damned uncomfortable) is a good thing if you don't have really good ventilation. If you have a good exhaust fan over your stove that can work. If I don't have a fume hood or a glove box I wear a respirator.
Gloves and goggles are essential. Base burns are pretty awful so you don't want your hands or forearms exposed. Wear long sleeves and pants. A lab coat can be bought online easily. You can tie dye it and pretend to be Bear
As far as equipment you want a few glass containers, one of which should be sealable or a magnetic stirrer for mixing the nonpolar solvent and the rootbark. Heptane is the best solvent but naphtha also works well. For separation a separatory funnel or a glass baster works. Have a stand that can hold it so they separate. You want something to use as a filter, a metal strainer with a coffee filter works well.
The way to raise pH is to slowly add the lye solution, either by pouring a few mL at a time or using an oral syringe. Don't rush, expect to spend a few hours doing the extraction.