Frequently Asked Questions

Hi, I'm Sam! 

I am a Herbalist, herbal educator, mycologist, grower of food and medicine. 

I understand and value the importance between a healthy body and a healthy mind, and I know that plants have an abundance to offer to help us find this balance and help us grow on this healing journey.  

My goal is to provide you with the best advice, herbs and herbal formulation to help you find this balance. 

Please, reach out if you have questions or if you want to book a consultation.

Curriculum 

• My learning journey started with Pacific Rim College, where I graduated from the Community Herbalist Program (270 hours) and also learned Botanical Tonics, Fermentations & Potions with Michael Isted. 
• I started learning Mycology and mushroom growing at Milkwood and expanded my knowledge through self-learning and practice.
• I have graduated from Heart of Herbs Herbal School in the Master Clinical Herbalist program (3600 hours).
• I am currently pursuing my education in Phytotherapy with Heart of Herbs Herbal School (4500 hours+).
• I also learn and experience everyday with plants and fungi and through my clinical practice

Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada.

I grow a lots of medicinal herbs and fill the gaps with trusted providers from different locations.  I purchase my medicinal plant seeds, shrubs and honey from Nova Scotia local providers and BC. 

I am not certified organic, but I only use natural fertilizer like compost and compost tea. 

I promote the no-till method, permaculture and I don't use any pesticides. 

Herbs grown at Black Sage Apotheka are harvested at their optimal peak time for potency, air dried and kept in glass jars away from direct sunlight in a controlled environment.

• Yes, I am registered with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Province of Nova Scotia.
• Associate Member of British Columbia Herbalists Association (BCHA)
• Associate Member of the American Herbalist Guild (AHG)
• Food Handler Certification (Food Safety Level 1) recognized across Canada and accepted by all health departments.

I only compound and provide medicinal herbs that I know are safe to use (Materia medica). All the herbs and concoction I provide are used by myself regularly. That being said, anyone can react differently to any new product they are taking, whether it is food, cosmetics, plants, medicine, etc. If unsure, you should always start with small doses and see how your body react to it.

In order to comply with Health Canada regulations and to prevent individuals from purchasing what they may not necessarily need in their best interest, I do not display tinctures, hydrosols, oils or some specific herbs on my website. 

I don't consider myself as a ''manufacturer'' but rather a practitioner that compound specific formulation for specific needs. Also, some herbs might interact with medication and/or supplements and I want to make sure you can make a well informed decision for your greater good. 

That being said, you can always reach out and fill an intake form if there is something specific you are looking for.

As an herbalist I do not ''diagnose'' any medical conditions and ''prescribe'' herbs to ''cure'' any illness.  I will attempt to find the root cause of illness or imbalance using a holistic approach, then treating the cause and not just the symptoms. I will choose herbs based on detailed information given to me or ailments a patient describes during the consultation. I might also create customized herbal formulations (compounding). Common forms of formulations: Herbal teas, tinctures, capsules, oils, skin creams and ointments.

You need to be ready to make changes in your life and to engage in the healing process with an open mind and an open heart.

To ensure you are receiving optimal advice, your honest participation in the review of lifestyle and life habits is required during a consultation and may include discussion about: nutrition, physical activity, life habits, sleep routine, mental health, stress level, work, spirituality, mediumship, channeling, and referral to other specialist.

Then I will provide advice, recommend herbs and customized formulations based on the information provided. You will receive a health plan a few days later with all the details. Then you can decide what options resonate with you the most. 

You are the conductor of your own health.

No, at this time I am not on any social media. 

Less scrolling more growing!!!   

First, there's a sanitation ritual that I perform every time I'm concocting to ensure proper hygiene protocol, but also to clean any residual energy that would no longer serve anyone. 

Then, most times, I perform a spiritual ritual that can involve: Moon cycles, native drums, smudging, Tibetan singing bowl, tuning fork, Crystals, light language, spiritual channeling and always with the highest intention of love and compassion for the  greatest good of the lovely person that will be using it.

Dry herbs : Resealable Mylar bags

Infused-oil : Glass amber bottles with dropper

Tinctures : Glass amber bottles with a graduated dropper

Salves : Tin cans or glass jars

Hydrosols: Blue bottles with dropper or spray

Capsules: Packer bottles or amber glass jars

Online transactions are dealt and secured by a third party (Square).

When customers make a payment, their contact information provided is automatically recorded within Square, in the customer section and I have access to it. 

However, I do not use your contact information to send promotional emails. 

I believe that when someone needs anything they will reach out. 

Intake forms submitted via the website are encrypted. All clients personal files and information are kept on a hard drive in a safe.