sānāre
Apothecary
Holistic Care for Modern Life
Ancestral wisdom. Personal guidance. Your healing journey.
Your Guides : David & Melissa
DAVID LEVESQUE
Certified Herbalist
David's journey to herbalism wasn't linear — it wound through a natural thirst for knowledge, science studies, music and arts, physchology and a life long fascination with ancient civilizations, religions & sprirituality.
Interwoven with his own personal experiences and over three decades in hospitality and service, each chapter added depth to his understanding of how we heal, how we care for one another and how, even without being aware, we create both our reality and our relation to it. David’s ability to listen and see past the surface of things is his true innate gift. He often jokes around saying he will end up ‘‘moving to the forest and become an hermit wizard’’. He might just do it some day…
Formally trained and certified as a Herbalist with the School of Evolutianary Herbalism and Pacific Rim College, David always tries to combine both Western and Eastern holistic medicine principals along with his botanical knowledge and an intuitive listening. — but his true specialty is meeting you where you are.
Melissa Schooley
Certified Herbalist
Melissa's journey to herbalism started in chilhood. Having grown up in a small family farm setting, she developped early a deep relationship with the land, the plants and the natural yearly cycles. Her interest are varied but somehow always rooted in this connection with nature: Soap and cream making, pottery, and of course herbal medicine.
In recent years, Melissa ran a successful and well loved local medicinal herbal store on her own, and in the process, has created a community of like-minded people around herself and her business. Formally trained and certified in Plant Medicine from Cornell University, Melissa also brings in her life long experience, passion for natural healing and self-care modalities, and a deep instinctive sensitivity.
Her willingness to transition in working with us at Sapience Retreat led to the creation of Sānāre Apothecary, a space dedicated to community and healing where partnership and collaboration makes the existence of our own Niagara based Herbal Apothecary a sustainable reality for years to come!
"Our role is to be a bridge between you, the natural world and the version of yourself you know is waiting to emerge, already existing underneat it all, like a seed containaing everything it needs to grow and bloom. We look for habits, patterns, beliefs & root causes that might be in your way. We will of course introduce you to the plant allies and healing modalities that will resonate with your unique needs, but ultimately the goal is to show you that you already have the power to restore your own inner balance"
- David & Melissa
sānāre Apothecary
Privileged Access
Create you own Herbal Remedies
Come in and create your own custom herbal remedies Or discover our trusted blends. Our Apothecary is filled with over 100 high-quality botanicals to support your personal journey to wellness. our holistic library also contains Trust-worthy and helpful litterature available for consultation. Simply Reserve yourself a privileged access on your own or as a small group for a well deserved self-care session at our sānāre Apothecary!
Different ways to use herbs:
Custom Tea Blends : High quality loose-leaf blends designed for daily ritual. Beautifully easy to use, tastefully life altering.
Tinctures : Concentrated liquid extracts for targeted, convenient support. Typically Alcohol or glycerin-based.
Herbal Honeys or Oxymels : Some delicious ways to take in your herbal goodness — herbs infused into raw honey or honey-vinegar preparations.
Topical Preparations : Salves, balms, and infused oils for external use
(How-to guides avalaible upon request)
***Cost of herbs is calculated by weight according to selection***
Services
Herbal & Lifestyle Consultation
In person at Sapience Retreat
A comprehensive one-on-one session exploring your health history, current concerns, lifestyle, and wellness goals. Together, we'll identify the herbal allies best suited to support your healing journey and create new healthy rituals for you to integrate into your daily life.
What to expect :
90 minute consultation
Overall health & lifestyle assessment
Discusssion about your general preoccupations and goals
Personalized protocols & product recommendations
Custom tea blend created for your specific needs (up to $40 value)
Ideal For : Those new to herbalism, seeking to generally better their life, create new healthier daily habits and rituals, or looking for a holistic complement to conventional care.
Rate : $125
FolloW-Up Session
For pre-existing sānāre patrons ready to assess progress and refine their protocol. We'll review what's working, adjust formulations and address new concerns.
What to expect:
45 minute session
Progress assesment & open discussion
Protocol review & adjustments
Updated herbal recommendations
Newly adapted custom tea blend (up to $40 value)
Rate : $85
"We don’t prescribe, we partner with you. You come in and We collaborate towards your own healing and well-being. You know your body, mind & Soul; We dive in together, gently, respectfully, honoring both the path you’ve been on and the reality you’d like to exist in going forward."
— David & Melissa
Focus Areas
Stress & Nervous System
Adaptogens, nervines, and calming allies to help your body respond to life's demands with more resilience and less depletion.
IMMUNE Resilience
Building your body's natural defenses through immune-modulating and prevention-focused protocols.
Sleep & Relaxation
Gentle herb blends and easy to implement relaxation protocols to restore natural sleep rhythms and help you truly rest.
Digestive Wellness
Bitters, carminatives, and gut-supportive herbs for comfortable digestion and optimal nutrient absorption.
Energy & Vitality
Tonics and adaptogens to rebuild depleted reserves without stimulants, but rather with deep natural daily nourishment rituals.
Addiction & Trauma responses
Addiction management & support, emotional regulation, trauma response management, nervous system balance & restauration.
Ready to meet your plant Allies?
Whether you're seeking support for a specific concern, curious about integrating herbs into daily life, or simply want to explore this ancestral path to wellness — we're here to guide you with care, knowledge, and respect for your unique journey.
You are the Medicine. Let's help you remember.