Explore the Garden With the Help of a Guide
One-hour tours led by knowledgeable guides are also available for groups, with a focus either on the campus or the garden, or both. Please be aware that tours involve a significant amount of walking. Because Bastyr University is a nonprofit with a small operating budget, we suggest tour donations of $10 per person to help offset costs of offering guided tours.
Tour Details and Sign-up Information
- Tours are scheduled Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., from spring to fall and are based on availability of a guide. Tours are not available during holidays.
- A tour donation of $10 per person is suggested, payable in cash or check and made out to Bastyr University. Tour donations support garden improvements and upkeep.
- Tours should be scheduled at least one month in advance.
- Minimum number of guided tour guests is 10, maximum is 25.
- Visitor parking is available by visitor's permit; carpooling is advised. Buses and large vans require special parking arrangements.
- For further information call (425) 602-3272.
Sign Up for Tour
Experience the Medicinal Herb Garden
The Bastyr University Medicinal Herb Garden plays a central role in the education of our students. Botanical medicine students study and cultivate a variety of medicinal plants throughout their life cycle. Many of these plants are harvested at their seasonal peak for creating medicinal tinctures and salves. Nutrition classes use the cultivated culinary herbs and organic vegetables in the University's whole-food kitchen lab.
During harvest season, Bastyr's renowned whole-food dining commons features fresh produce from the Bastyr garden. The garden is designed, cultivated and managed by students under the guidance of the garden manager, a 2005 graduate of Bastyr's herbal sciences program.
Walk Bastyr's Reflexology Foot Path
Adjacent to the garden is the Bastyr reflexology path, the first public reflexology path in North America. Based on wisdom from ancient Egypt, India and China, reflexology paths massage and stimulate acupressure points in the soles of the feet connected to various energy meridians of the body.
The pressure of stones under bare feet combines with gravity to provide a therapeutic exercise that stimulates health. Bastyr's 65-foot path features smooth native Northwest river rock artistically embedded in cement. A handrail provides stability and improves accessibility, particularly for older walkers.
Take a Self-Guided Garden Tour
Many public visitors enjoy the garden, and Bastyr students have a special relationship with this extraordinary feature of the campus. Some say the garden is one of the main reasons they chose to study at Bastyr.
The Bastyr University Medicinal Herb Garden is always open for a self-guided tour, where you are welcome to view over 350 western and Chinese herbs. Feel free to visit, browse and explore on your own any time.
Please note: Some medicinal plants can be toxic, so we ask that you not touch or taste anything in the garden. Please respect these garden specimens, and keep children and pets from touching, tasting or disturbing the plants.