Contact & FAQ

We’d love to hear from you.

Whether you’re ready to apply, need help choosing the right program, or just want a few more details before taking the leap – we’re here for you. Check out our FAQs below as your question might already be answered.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine offers long-term in-person programs, modular weekend classes, and online offerings. You’ll find full descriptions, dates, tuition, and application steps under the Programs page.

  • There are no prerequisites for any of our programs. Essentials is not required before taking Holistic. That said, any prior knowledge will help you go deeper in the Holistic Herbalism Program.

  • Our main programs are taught in person, led by CoreyPine Shane and expert guest teachers. We also offer three online classes you can take anytime.

  • Once you complete your application and pay the fee, we’ll reach out to schedule an interview, if needed. Interviews are held throughout the week and are typically conducted by phone.

  • Each program has a unique schedule listed on its individual page under Programs.

  • Absolutely! Email director@blueridgeschool.org to book a tour. We recommend reaching out at least three weeks in advance.

  • We don’t offer apprenticeships, but we do have four assistant roles (two per core program) that trade setup/cleanup help for tuition discounts.

  • Yes. We accept applications on a rolling basis until the deadline—or until spots are full. If a program fills early, we’ll update the website and refund any unused application fees.

  • We offer 10% Equity Seat discounts to BIPOC students — email jj.brhsm@gmail.com to apply. 

  • Nope! Phone is standard. Skype, FaceTime, or in-person options are also available.

  • Yes – you’ll receive a certificate, but not a license (as no licensure currently exists in the U.S.). Our certificates include:

    • Essentials: Certified Community Herbalist

    • Holistic: Certified Holistic Herbalist

    We honor the diversity of herbal traditions and support keeping herbalism ungoverned to preserve this richness.

  • Many graduates go on to practice clinically, create herbal products, teach, farm, or contribute to restoration ecology. The skills you gain here open many doors.

  • The Blue Ridge School doesn’t provide housing. The Essentials of Herbalism Program is commuter-friendly. For the Holistic Herbalism Program, we recommend living nearby but students do regularly commute from a couple hours away (Charlotte, Knoxville, Boone). See program pages for commuting guidance and housing resource suggestions.

  • No camping is allowed on school grounds. Nearby national forest land isn’t viable year-round due to weather and lack of facilities. But there is some camping available nearby - please inquire and we can send you info.

  • Not currently. Note: The Holistic Herbalism Program is a major time commitment, so we recommend saving ahead.

  • Yes. The school is 25 minutes from Asheville with no public transportation. You do not need 4WD, but you do need a reliable vehicle.

  • Expect hands-on, immersive learning. Some days are in the classroom; others are out in the forest. Bring lunch and be ready to walk, hike, and learn by doing.

  • Yes. Essentials requires 2 to 3 hours/month. Holistic averages 2 to 5 hours/week. This includes reading, writing, and research.

  • Yes. You’ll want to budget for books, tools, and medicine-making supplies:

    • Essentials: ~$100–$200

    • Holistic: ~$500+

  • While we are animal lovers, we can only allow certified service dogs.

  • Most are not, due to our forest setting. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

  • Our school is rooted in place-based herbalism, bioregional knowledge, and experiential learning. We teach outside as often as possible and blend science with intuition, clinical skills with traditional wisdom.

  • Absolutely. Reach out via the contact form above to tell us about your goals, and we’ll help you choose the right fit.

Testimonial

  • “Attending the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine was a deeply transformative experience for me. What I enjoyed most were the hands-on plant walks with a variety of incredible teachers, each teaching from their own unique perspective and knowledge. The trips to local herb farms, forests, and even down to Georgia to study native plants were unforgettable, offering a personal connection with the plants that no virtual learning could ever replicate.

    Nicolina Ruiz, Owner Casa Alchemista Botanica


Follow Along on Instagram

BRSHM Instagram
We had our final day of the Wild Medicine Internship, where each student got to harvest plants and make two jars of medicine-which they’re proudly showing off in these photos!⠀ ⠀ If you missed our spring wild medicine internship, no worries! We
We had our final day of the Wild Medicine Internship, where each student got to harvest plants and make two jars of medicine-which they’re proudly showing off in these photos!⠀ ⠀ If you missed our spring wild medicine internship, no worries! We have another one happening in September for you to join!!
ELDERFLOWER SODA 🌼✨ Herbalist Kitchen Series A lightly floral, naturally fermented sparkling drink with bright citrus notes...one of our favorite ways to celebrate elderflower season. If you're harvesting elderflower, harvest thoughtfully. Always make absolutely certain you've identified the correct plant, and leave plenty behind so flowers can become berries later in the season — for birds, wildlife, and your own future harvest. 🤍 Ingredients: • 10–15 fresh elderflower heads • ½ gallon water • 1 cup sugar or honey • 1 whole lemon, quartered (include peel) • ½ cup fresh Juneberries / Serviceberries (optional) • Pinch wine yeast (optional, to speed fermentation) Instructions: 1. Gently rinse elderflowers to remove insects and debris. 2. Bring ½ gallon water to a simmer. Stir in sugar or honey until fully dissolved. The sugar acts as food for the yeast that creates carbonation. 3. Remove from heat and pour into a wide-mouth jar with: *Half the elderflowers *Quartered lemon (including peel) *Optional Juneberries / Serviceberries Allow to cool about 1 hour. 4. Add remaining elderflowers and cover with cheesecloth. The second addition helps introduce natural wild yeast, or add a pinch of wine yeast to encourage fermentation. 5. Leave on the counter 1–3 days, until bubbling begins. For a mildly alcoholic version, ferment longer. 6. Strain and bottle. Swing-top bottles work beautifully since excess pressure can be carefully released if carbonation becomes too active. 7. Refrigerate immediately after bottling. Fermentation continues at room temperature and pressure can build quickly. *Optional berries add beautiful color and subtle sweetness. *Wild fermentation varies with temperature and natural yeast activity. *Always monitor carbonation carefully. Have you made elderflower soda before? 👇 @blueridgeschoolherbalmedicine
A classic CoreyPine moment teaching our Essentials of Herbalism students about wild ginger leaf versus violet leaf in a way that only CoreyPine can. To learn more about our programs go to blueridgeschool.org
A classic CoreyPine moment teaching our Essentials of Herbalism students about wild ginger leaf versus violet leaf in a way that only CoreyPine can. To learn more about our programs go to blueridgeschool.org
We had our final day of the Wild Medicine Internship, where each student got to harvest plants and make two jars of medicine-which they’re proudly showing off in these photos!⠀ ⠀ If you missed our spring wild medicine internship, no worries! We
ELDERFLOWER SODA 🌼✨ Herbalist Kitchen Series A lightly floral, naturally fermented sparkling drink with bright citrus notes...one of our favorite ways to celebrate elderflower season. If you're harvesting elderflower, harvest thoughtfully. Always
A classic CoreyPine moment teaching our Essentials of Herbalism students about wild ginger leaf versus violet leaf in a way that only CoreyPine can. To learn more about our programs go to blueridgeschool.org