Columbines School of Botanical Studies

Columbines School

News & Events:

We are now accepting applications for the 2025 First Year Apprenticeship Program.
Course Descriptions
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KEYNOTE: New Herbal Uses in the 21st Century Howie Brounstein

Educational Resources:

Apprenticeship:

General Info:

Our Instructors and Staff:

Howie Brounstein has taught botany, herbalism, and wildcrafting extensively for decades, including at such herbal establishments as the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. He is the co-owner and a primary instructor of the Columbines School of Botanical Studies and has a clinical practice in Eugene, Oregon. He is well known for his brilliant in depth teaching style and his passionate love of plants.

Leah Kays Leah is a 2006 graduate of Columbines School of Botanical Studies and has been involved with the school since. She is an herbalist, botanist, and bartender from Portland, Oregon who has moved from a substitute teacher to a full time Columbines instructor.

First Year Apprenticeship Lecture Series

Herbal Concepts and Northwest Materia Medica

This 56.5 hour lecture series will give the student knowledge of herbalism without the botany and fieldwork of our full Apprenticeship Program. It is designed to illustrate herbal fundamental principles using northwestern medicinal plants. These native herbs were intentionally selected to serve as an accessible medicine chest and an herbal basis for further learning. Herbal preparations and medicine making labs are included throughout year.

Spring Term will run from April to June. and consists of 13 lectures (32.5 hours). No pre-requisite required. See the Academic Calendar for current dates and prices.

Summer Term will run from mid-July to the first week in September, and consists of 8 lectures (24 hours). Completion of Spring Term required. See the Academic Calendar for current dates and prices.

First Year Lecture Electives

There are a variety of elective classes available in the fall and winter for those students who have completed Herbal Concepts.

See the Electives Page and the Academic Calendar for more information on these classes.