Frequently Asked Questions

Hi, I'm Sam! 

I am a clinical 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 path in herbalism is rooted in both formal education and hands-on practice. I have completed over 4,000 hours of herbal training through respected programs focused on clinical herbalism, community herbalism, and traditional plant medicine.

I graduated from the Heart of Herbs Herbal School in the Master Clinical Herbalist Program (3,600 hours), where I studied clinical herbalism, formulation, anatomy and physiology, pathology, herbal therapeutics, and holistic wellness practices.

I also earned a Community Herbalism Diploma from Pacific Rim College (270 hours), with additional studies in botanical tonics, herbal fermentations, and traditional herbal preparations.

My education further includes medicinal and edible mushroom cultivation training through Milkwood, alongside years of independent study, field practice, and ongoing research.

Beyond formal schooling, I have dedicated hundreds of hours to direct experiential work with medicinal plants, mushrooms, formulations, and traditional preparations through personal practice, client support, workshops, and educational offerings within the community.

I am currently continuing my studies through the Heart of Herbs Herbal School’s Diploma in Phytotherapy program (4,500+ hours), deepening my clinical and therapeutic understanding of herbal medicine.

Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada.

 I grow a wide variety of medicinal herbs and thoughtfully supplement my offerings with botanicals sourced from trusted growers and suppliers from different regions.  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.

• 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.
• My practice operates in the context of a practitioner-patient relationship, therefore, in accordance with Health Canada Natural Health Product (NHP) Compounding Policy. 

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. It is also essential to check the interaction of medicinal plants with prescription medications, which I do during a consultation or through the evaluation form.

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 a clinical 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 client 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.

Not every concern requires the same level of support. Some situations call for a full consultation to ensure safe, personalized care, while others may only require a completed intake form. Please review the guidelines below to determine which option is most appropriate for your needs.

A full consultation is required for clients seeking support with more complex or chronic conditions, including (but not limited to): chronic illness or pain, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms, PMS, stress, anxiety, heart conditions, chronic insomnia, fatty liver, arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, IBS, neurological conditions, respiratory or cardiovascular disease, prostate concerns, digestive disorders, weight management, and dietary modifications.

For minor, acute concerns, a full consultation is not required. Please complete the intake form in the ''concoctions'' section so I can assess your needs appropriately. This includes, but is not limited to: herbal first aid support, cold and flu symptoms or prevention, mouth ulcers, tooth or gum discomfort, minor cuts, burns, or wounds, sore throat, non-chronic cough, and other non-urgent concerns that do not require immediate medical attention or hospitalization.

Qualified healthcare practitioners — including trained herbalists, TCM practitioners, naturopaths, homeopaths, and other licensed professionals — may reach out directly for herbal formulations or herbal apothecary needs without requiring a consultation.

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 one doing the true inner work; the plants are here to support you — helping you stay grounded and balanced as your system readjusts. They assist the process, but they are not a substitute for your own effort and awareness.

You are the conductor of your own health!

I'm on now on Facebook. Follow me at :  https://www.facebook.com/blacksageapotheka  

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.