The Light Cellar Podcast

Welcome to chat number 30 in the Wild Wisdom & Herbal Storytelling series with host Malcolm Saunders and Herbal Elder Blaine Andrusek. Join the pair as they head outdoors to talk about Ra The Sun God, helping usher in this new season from a trail in Sibbald Flats, just west of Calgary, Alberta. They cover quite a few plants via the exploration of this idea of The Path of the Forager, engaging fully with your senses. Blaine shares the wisdom of choosing five plants per year to get to know, in order to build your own knowledge base slowly and surely. Might this be the year you learn about Cow Parsnip? Perhaps Venus' Slipper, and the elusive (not related!) Lady's Slipper. Might Wild Violets make the list for you this year? If there's anything you'd be keen to hear Blaine talk about, please get in touch by email, info@lightcellar.ca. Be sure to 'like' this podcast, and subscribe to get our newest episodes! Let us know what you thought of this episode, and stay tuned and subscribe to this podcast for more.

Join host Malcolm Saunders and Herbal Elder Blaine Andrusek for chat number 29 in the Wild Wisdom & Herbal Storytelling series. In this week's episode, the pair cover quite a bit of ground in their conversation. Expect to hear about the Herbalist's garden, parasites and stories and wisdom about the brilliance of teepees and their design. As for herbs, gets to know tarragon and its use in vinegar. Learn all about one of the abundant species found in our part of the west -- Artemisia, aka Sage. Blaine shares how to properly prepare and tie sage bundles for usage. Learn all about Aspens and their bark, juniper, uva ursi and their affinity to support a reduction of urinary tract infections. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! What would you like to hear Blaine share his perspective on? Get in touch by email, info@lightcellar.ca. Let us know what you thought of this episode, and stay tuned and subscribe to this podcast for more.

Join us for another episode of Herbal Highlights, with Angela Bewick and Malcolm Saunders. In this latest conversation, Angela and Malcolm bring up a word that has some controversy around it. The two define this word, and dive in to which herbs can be considered under this term. Get to know some new herbal helpers in this week's podcast! The pair also dive in to Traditional Chinese Medicine specifics as well, and how these principles can be applied, how to utilize these types of herbs. These vitalizing herbs have been an integral part of traditional ways for such a long time. Why might this term have such controversy? Let us know what you think, and if you have topics or ideas you'd like to see Angela and Malcolm explore in the podcast. Send us a message at info@lightcellar.ca Make sure to come visit us at the shop in the heart of Bowness in NW Calgary as well. Not in town? Connect with us online at www.lightcellar.ca! #lightcellarpodcast #podcast #subscribenow  

Here is another episode of Herbal Highlights with Malcolm Saunders and Angela Bewick.  The two touch on some of the most allergy-inducing plants, and some solutions and remedies to help ease the symptoms of seasonal allergies. This is the work of supporting the body to better handle the influx of pollen that shows up in abundance this time of year! The two dive in to what histamine does in the body, and ways to help mitigate when there are allergic type symptoms going on in the body.  Expect to hear about stinging nettle (popping up at this time of year!), comparing dried versus fresh and why you may want to source fresh if you have hayfever type symptoms. This is to celebrate a new tincture available in the shop! Learn about rose hips, golden rod, and the role Vitamin C can play in supporting those with allergic type symptoms. Reishi mushrooms are on the docket too! Can you guess what the herb word of the week will be? We're taking guesses! Let us know what you think, and what you'd like to see in the podcast by sending us a message at info@lightcellar.ca Make sure to come visit us at the shop in the heart of Bowness in NW Calgary. Connect with us online at www.lightcellar.ca! #lightcellarpodcast #podcast #subscribenow  

Join us for chat number 28 in the Wild Wisdom & Storytelling series of interviews with Master Herbalist & Herbal Elder Blaine Andrusek and host Malcolm Saunders of Light Cellar. The pair meet up to chat about the Animal Kingdom, and how all animals utilize plants to self medicate. Humans seem to be the only ones that need a written set of instructions! The conversation turns to address longevity, and veer to talk of rose hips, hawthorn, wormwood, mushrooms, horny goatweed (& the story of how it got its name!) and other plants.  Their conversation touches on current proposals that all Calgarians and anyone in Southern Alberta should know about, especially in regards to our watershed and things that are coming up on the horizon. The conversation wraps up with talk about the role a garden can play in the life of the herbalist, be they a budding newbie or a seasoned wild crafter, or anywhere in between. What would you like to hear Blaine share his perspective on? Get in touch by email, info@lightcellar.ca. Let us know what you thought of this episode, and stay tuned and subscribe to this podcast for more.

Another great conversation with Herbal Elder Blaine 'the Herb Man' Andrusek. Host Malcolm Saunders joins Blaine in conversation to talk about the Nervous System and Nervine herbs. Expect to learn a bit more about our Nervous system, and how it works in the body. Learn which herbs can help support this system's function, and where herbs may be of service when it comes to chronic conditions in the Nervous system.  The pair talk about environmental impacts on our Nervous System, and where you may have been misled about this marvellous body system. Blaine Andrusek is leading a class called "Alternative First Aid" this weekend, live at the shop. It's a class for all the outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, plant walkers and more... Find out information and register online at https://lightcellar.ca/products/alternative-first-aid This was chat number 27 in the Wild Wisdom & Storytelling series of interviews with Blaine Andrusek by Malcolm Saunders of Light Cellar. What would you like to hear Blaine share his perspective on? Get in touch by email, info@lightcellar.ca. Let us know what you thought of this episode, and stay tuned and subscribe to this podcast for more.

Welcome to Herbal Highlights with Angela Bewick and Malcolm Saunders. This week, the two share some love for herbs that support your circulatory system. This week's topic is all about Ginger & Turmeric. They talk about the warming properties of these important herbs, how they work in the body and why they're such all-round fantastic roots to include in your regimen. Learn about traditional uses for these herbs, their affinity to the digestive system too. Angela and Malcolm also talk about ways to include ginger and turmeric in to your meals and libations, including the tinctures they've made recently in the shop. As always, Angela and Malcolm like to introduce a new herb term every episode. This week, learn about the term circulatory, and what herbs may qualify here. Learn a bit about why including circulatory herbs help bump up the efficacy of blends where these herbs are found! Let us know what you think, and what you'd like to see in the podcast by sending us a message at info@lightcellar.ca Make sure to come visit us at the shop in the heart of Bowness in NW Calgary. Connect with us online at www.lightcellar.ca! #lightcellarpodcast #podcast #subscribenow  

Another installment of Herbal Highlights featuring Angela Bewick and Malcolm Saunders in conversation. The pair meet up every now and then to give you a sneak peek of what's going on behind the scenes in the shop, and topics that have been coming up with customers and staff members in the store. This week's episode covers a range of topics, from finding the path to becoming your own herbalist, touching on culinary herbs and spices, nutritional herbalism and those herbs that can provide some harder to find nutrients.  They get in to an interesting discussion on herbivore vs carnivore vs omnivore. Where do you sit on that spectrum? As always, Angela and Malcolm like to introduce a new herb term every episode. This week, learn about the term nutritive herb, and what qualifies here. What does it have to do with superfoods? Let us know what you think, and what you'd like to see in the podcast by sending us a message at info@lightcellar.ca Make sure to come visit us at the shop in the heart of Bowness in NW Calgary. Connect with us online at www.lightcellar.ca! #lightcellarpodcast #podcast #subscribenow  

Another great conversation with Herbal Elder Blaine 'the Herb Man' Andrusek. In this episode host Malcolm and guest Blaine explore the complexity of plant chemistry and the impact of seasonal shifts. They also explore relationships to plants, and isolated compounds versus the whole. They dive in to the alchemy and synergy of combinations, the power of the placebo. They also explore two ways of knowing, and the brilliance of tapping in to the metaphysical background of the earth. They wrap things up with an exploration on how to open your sensory gating channels. Blaine Andrusek is leading a class called "Alternative First Aid" on April 28th. It's a class for all the outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, plant walkers and more...  Find out information and register online at https://lightcellar.ca/products/alternative-first-aid This was chat number 26 in the Wild Wisdom & Storytelling series of interviews with Blaine Andrusek by Malcolm Saunders of Light Cellar. What would you like to hear Blaine share his perspective on? Get in touch by email, info@lightcellar.ca. Let us know what you thought of this episode, and stay tuned and subscribe to this podcast for more.

Another great conversation with Herbal Elder Blaine 'the Herb Man' Andrusek. In this episode host Malcolm and guest Blaine talk about the weather and how if you attune yourself to nature, you can accurately sense the shifts. The two also touch on rites of passage and their importance both personally and professionally. The conversation veers into exploring the herb plantain (Plantago) and its healing benefits. And so much more… Blaine Andrusek is leading a class called "Alternative First Aid" on April 28th. It's a class for all the outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, plant walkers and more...  Find out information and register online at https://lightcellar.ca/products/alternative-first-aid This was chat number 25 in the Wild Wisdom & Storytelling series of interviews with Blaine Andrusek by Malcolm Saunders of Light Cellar. What would you like to hear Blaine share his perspective on? Get in touch by email, info@lightcellar.ca. Let us know what you thought of this episode, and stay tuned and subscribe to this podcast for more.

Herbal Highlights continues with another conversation between Angela Bewick and Malcolm Saunders.  In this episode, the two dive in to Labrador Tea, exploring a bit of the history behind this herb and all the benefits it brings. It's been long utilized in this part of the world, and widely abundant! The two dive in to hydrosols as well. Get to know this herb on a deeper level! As always, Angela and Malcolm like to introduce a few new herb terms every episode. This week, learn all about narcotic and cathartic in terms of herbs, and what types of effects they may have on the body. Let us know what you think, and what you'd like to see in the podcast by sending us a message at info@lightcellar.ca This series is meant to showcase some of the goings on behind the scenes at the shop. Make sure to stop in to the store, or connect with what it is we carry at www.lightcellar.ca!   #lightcellarpodcast #podcast #subscribenow 

Another conversation with Herbal Elder Blaine 'the Herb Man' Andrusek. In this episode we cover the acid mantle, skin & hydrosols, the universality of herbs, we focus on kidney infections and herbs to support in this case. The conversation gets in to the origin of the cough drop, and ways to think about traveling with herbs. We talked about first aid stories and herbs that helped, spring harvesting and the origins of aspirin. We wrap up with a connection between aspen & goldenseal. Want to join us at our upcoming class on Sunday April 28th? A whole afternoon with Master Herbalist Blaine Andrusek in a class we're calling Alternative First Aid: Learn the Herbs & Natural Remedies to Help You At Home & In the Wild. Register here: https://lightcellar.ca/products/alternative-first-aid This was chat number 24 in the Wild Wisdom & Storytelling series of interviews with Blaine Andrusek by Malcolm Saunders of Light Cellar. What would you like to hear Blaine share his perspective on? Get in touch by email, info@lightcellar.ca. Let us know what you thought of this episode, and stay tuned and subscribe to this podcast for more.

In conversation with Herbal Elder Blaine 'the Herb Man' Andrusek. In this episode we cover knowing your herbal chemistry to make substitutions; how the herbs are always growing where you need them; the ins and outs of gout including how it happens and the foods and herbs you can take to remedy; benefits and ethical harvesting of colostrum; herbal first-aid stories and more!  Want to join us at our upcoming class on Sunday April 28th? A whole afternoon with Master Herbalist Blaine Andrusek in a class we're calling Alternative First Aid: Learn the Herbs & Natural Remedies to Help You At Home & In the Wild. Register here: https://lightcellar.ca/products/alternative-first-aid This was chat number 23 in the Wild Wisdom & Storytelling series of interviews with Blaine Andrusek by Malcolm Saunders of Light Cellar. What would you like to hear Blaine share his perspective on? Get in touch by email, info@lightcellar.ca. Let us know what you thought of this episode, and stay tuned and subscribe to this podcast for more. About the Herb Man: Blaine Andrusek grew up in north central Saskatchewan where he spent a good deal of time in his beloved Boreal forest. By the age of 14, Blaine was regularly hunting and trapping and had a keen interest in native traditions and all that the forest had to offer. At 18, Blaine ran off with a few provisions and adequate gear to survive minus 27 and five feet of snow and ended up spending nearly four months living mostly off the land. Although he didn’t understand the concept of ‘totems’ at that time, Blaine had many experiences with Owl, who told him that his mission, this time, was to never stop learning and to teach. When Blaine returned to Calgary a few years later, he met Terry Willard, who had just started his practice and founded the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing. Blaine was one of the earliest graduates of the Master Herbalist program, and by the Spring of 1981 began teaching. Although mostly a hobby interest at first, ten years later, Blaine gave up other interests in favour of becoming a full-time teacher, public speaker, and practitioner. A focus on essential oils captured his interest, and Blaine was soon formulating and supplying fellow herbalists, aestheticians, and massage therapists from coast to coast, and speaking to eight to ten audiences a week. From children’s summer camps to Elder Hostel, numerous massage schools, television work, and eventually keynoting national and international conferences, Blaine has had an extremely diverse and rewarding career and has been honoured as an herbal Elder. He is the creator of and namesake behind Blaine Andrusek Phytotherapeutics, a line of high-quality essential oils. As well as the author of the forthcoming autobiography: Child of the Boreal: the Story of a Young Man.

Today's podcast is another conversation with Angela Bewick and Malcolm Saunders as part of the Herbal Highlights series. In this episode the pair get into what is sometimes considered taboo in the herbal community and definitely got some hot button topics like Money, Business, Profit, and Appropriation! Both Angela and Malcolm don’t claim to have the answers but did want to engage in healthy open-minded discussion on these items that can feel divisive.  Let us know what you think, and feel free to respectfully share your thoughts, questions and opinions by getting in touch via info@lightcellar.ca.  This series is meant to showcase some of the goings on behind the scenes at the shop.  Make sure to stop in to the store, or connect with what it is we carry at www.lightcellar.ca!   #lightcellarpodcast #podcast #subscribenow 

Join Angela Bewick and host Malcolm Saunders for another episode of Herbal Highlights. Each week, Angela and Malcolm join forces to explore what is happening at the store, and hone in on a few herbs to talk benefits, history and stories to help you get to know them better. This week, the pair focus on a new syrup made in-house. Feeling Fresh and Focused! Learn the story of how it came to be, and what is in the recipe. Need a little wild wellness in your life? Get to know this limited time syrup! Available only in-store. Word of the day this week is nootropic. Learn how to pronounce it, and what it means! You guessed it - tied to this week's formulation.  By popular request, a little get-to-know-me session with Angela Bewick too. Get to know a bit about her background, and all she is bringing to the team here at the shop! Make sure to follow our podcast to get notified of when new episodes are available. Or better yet, come visit us in the NW of Calgary, in the heart of Bowness. #lightcellarpodcast #podcast #subscribenow #nootropic #actingonthemind #memory #cognitivedecline #mood

In conversation with Herbal Elder Blaine 'the Herb Man' Andrusek. In this episode we talked about Sweetgrass Digestion (this was a carry over from questions that came up from our previous chat). We also talked about why it is so important to have regular bowel movements before doing any kind of cleanse.  On the same topic, we talked about what herbs have a laxative effect, and which ones to utilize in short-term-constipation scenarios, and which to rely on when constipation has been around for a while. Get clarity on which will be best in your particular scenario in today's podcast, especially when we focus on which herbs to use with caution and which in particular should only be relied on for short term use. We also talked about herbs & protocols for parasites, from exploring the common herbs used, how they work and how best to utilize them.  And we wrapped up the conversation with health product regulation in Canada, and potential ways forward. Want to catch a replay of that Natural Health Products Webinar info session? Find it at https://rumble.com/v4a9kgh-right-to-health-protecting-our-natural-health-products-empowerment-session-.html   This was chat number 22 in the Wild Wisdom & Storytelling series of interviews with Blaine Andrusek by Malcolm Saunders of Light Cellar. What would you like to hear Blaine share his perspective on? Get in touch by email, info@lightcellar.ca. Let us know what you thought of this episode, and stay tuned and subscribe to this podcast for more. About the Herb Man: Blaine Andrusek grew up in north central Saskatchewan where he spent a good deal of time in his beloved Boreal forest. By the age of 14, Blaine was regularly hunting and trapping and had a keen interest in native traditions and all that the forest had to offer. At 18, Blaine ran off with a few provisions and adequate gear to survive minus 27 and five feet of snow and ended up spending nearly four months living mostly off the land. Although he didn’t understand the concept of ‘totems’ at that time, Blaine had many experiences with Owl, who told him that his mission, this time, was to never stop learning and to teach. When Blaine returned to Calgary a few years later, he met Terry Willard, who had just started his practice and founded the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing. Blaine was one of the earliest graduates of the Master Herbalist program, and by the Spring of 1981 began teaching. Although mostly a hobby interest at first, ten years later, Blaine gave up other interests in favour of becoming a full-time teacher, public speaker, and practitioner. A focus on essential oils captured his interest, and Blaine was soon formulating and supplying fellow herbalists, aestheticians, and massage therapists from coast to coast, and speaking to eight to ten audiences a week. From children’s summer camps to Elder Hostel, numerous massage schools, television work, and eventually keynoting national and international conferences, Blaine has had an extremely diverse and rewarding career and has been honoured as an herbal Elder. He is the creator of and namesake behind Blaine Andrusek Phytotherapeutics, a line of high-quality essential oils. As well as the author of the forthcoming autobiography: Child of the Boreal: the Story of a Young Man.

Another episode of Herbal Highlights with Angela Bewick and host Malcolm Saunders. Every week, the pair meet up to talk about what is going on behind the scenes at the shop.  Today, Angela and Malcolm dive in to quite a few flowers you will find in the shop, and their myriad ways they can help. Think of these herbs as ways to bring the sunshine in! There's a new Inner Sunshine herbal prep in store - a syrup made up of herbal components including Saffron, St John's Wort, Mucuna and a bit of sea salt.  Get to know the herbs behind this special in-store-only syrup! The first herbal term of the week is sativa. What do you think this latin word means? Malcolm dives in around the 9 minute mark.  The second one is from Angela, and it's trophorestorative.  Learn the etymology of the word in today's episode!  This week, Angela and Malcolm check in again with a California Poppy preparation they have had brewing in the shop for a bit. Learn all about this nervine tonic and appreciate some of its benefits, especially when it comes to pain relief.  Make sure to follow our podcast to get notified of when new episodes are available. Or better yet, come visit us in the NW of Calgary, in the heart of Bowness. #lightcellarpodcast #podcast #subscribenow #stjohnswort #saffron #mucuna #innersunshine #californiapoppy

We have a right to health! We should always have the choice to curate our own healthcare regime using herbs, supplements, and other natural health products as we see fit. We are more than capable of this and there was never a problem here to begin with. Bill C-47 is now on our doorstep creeping ever closer to being pushed into full effect. This MUST be the line in the sand. Not only is it unethical to impose these restrictions, but it is also very reckless and dangerous! Many people are alive today because of Natural Health Products. Their quality of life and access to those products depend on them. If this bill moves forward along with whatever else Health Canada has in its plans, the natural health community as we know it will be gone. It’s time for aligned action and standing together until Bill C-47 is abolished. Please join us for a round table discussion on this topic with some dynamic speakers so you can understand exactly what is happening and how we can all take action. Get a deeper understanding of what is going on here, and what is needed at this time. Whether you’re a consumer of herbs and supplements, rely on them for your day to day wellness, or if you’re a small  or larger-scale herbalist or nutritional consultant, this conversation is one you will want to hear. Hosted by Alison Ritchie of This Grand Voyage and Malcolm Saunders of Light Cellar, you will hear from guest speakers Susan Stanfield and Ken Drysdale to inform and empower each of us to take a stand for our right to access natural health supplements. We cannot let our health choices be dictated by others! Be part of a movement to protect our holistic approach to well-being. Your participation matters.   This is conversation number one in a series where we will continue to talk with experts and industry folks who can present inssights and strategies we can each implement.   Stay tuned for more to be released on this channel as well as the Right to Health Rumble channel  https://rumble.com/c/c-5703399?_kx=SREIXvi1m1rRRNESFTYql-5mat3Td7Nik_0SQ7qcQjE%3D.TmiBGG   #righttohealth

Welcome to Herbal Highlights where Angela and Malcolm meet up to talk about what is happening behind the scenes with the herbal production, talk shop, herbal terminology and more. Today's conversation is all about Kava Kava. Get to know this traditional herb from the Pacific Islands, and a bit about its story and what this herb has helped with along the way. Malcolm and Angela also get in to exploring the history of pastes as a delivery system of herbs, an electuary. Something we're playing with and dreaming of how to bring it to the shop! We carry this herb in the shop, of course! Find it in a few different forms: Tincture - https://lightcellar.ca/products/kava-kava-tincture  Root - https://lightcellar.ca/products/kava-kava-root Powder - https://lightcellar.ca/products/kava-kava-root-powder Our herbal term of the week is anxiolytic. Not sure what this means? Listen in to our podcast today! Make sure to hit that follow or subscribe button to keep up with what it is we have in our shop. Or better yet, come visit us in the NW of Calgary, in the heart of Bowness.

In conversation with Herbal Elder Blaine 'the Herb Man' Andrusek. In this episode we covered a wide range of topics including Lobelia, Tobacco, Overcoming addiction particulate to smoking, the circulatory system and how it works, including foods and herbs that could help. We delved into Indigenous connections, Iridology and so much more. Oh yes - we talked about Clary Sage, its properties, and the origin of the name as it relates to one of its main uses. This was chat number 21 in the Wild Wisdom & Storytelling series of interviews with Blaine Andrusek by Malcolm Saunders of Light Cellar. What would you like to hear Blaine share his perspective on? Get in touch by email, info@lightcellar.ca. Let us know what you thought of this episode, and stay tuned and subscribe to this podcast for more. About the Herb Man: Blaine Andrusek grew up in north central Saskatchewan where he spent a good deal of time in his beloved Boreal forest. By the age of 14, Blaine was regularly hunting and trapping and had a keen interest in native traditions and all that the forest had to offer. At 18, Blaine ran off with a few provisions and adequate gear to survive minus 27 and five feet of snow and ended up spending nearly four months living mostly off the land. Although he didn’t understand the concept of ‘totems’ at that time, Blaine had many experiences with Owl, who told him that his mission, this time, was to never stop learning and to teach. When Blaine returned to Calgary a few years later, he met Terry Willard, who had just started his practice and founded the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing. Blaine was one of the earliest graduates of the Master Herbalist program, and by the Spring of 1981 began teaching. Although mostly a hobby interest at first, ten years later, Blaine gave up other interests in favour of becoming a full-time teacher, public speaker, and practitioner. A focus on essential oils captured his interest, and Blaine was soon formulating and supplying fellow herbalists, aestheticians, and massage therapists from coast to coast, and speaking to eight to ten audiences a week. From children’s summer camps to Elder Hostel, numerous massage schools, television work, and eventually keynoting national and international conferences, Blaine has had an extremely diverse and rewarding career and has been honoured as an herbal Elder. He is the creator of and namesake behind Blaine Andrusek Phytotherapeutics, a line of high-quality essential oils. As well as the author of the forthcoming autobiography: Child of the Boreal: the Story of a Young Man.