Ingrown hairs. I get them, you get them, your neighbor gets them—even cats and dogs get them! Chances are, most furry mammals walking around this planet have dealt with a pesky ingrown hair or two in their time. For me, shaving seemed to be the biggest culprit when it came to waking up to an uninvited array of ingrown hairs. No matter what direction I shaved, how many blades my razor boasted, or what fancy variety of shaving cream I slathered on, within a couple of days, my skin always found a way to proclaim its defiance towards my razor in the form of itchy, red bumps. However, all of this changed when I discovered I was missing a critical step in any well-seasoned shaver’s routine—exfoliation!

The winter season is a time of rest and reflection for many of us. It’s also the perfect time of year to get cozy with a good book and a hot cup of herbal tea. For me, winter is the season of tea. Whether I’m in need of a nourishing brew to help keep my body healthy or am just looking for something to cut through the chill of winter’s air, a flavorful cup of tea is just what I need. Here are some of my favorite winter tea blends.

In this overwhelming and often stress-inducing world, there is little that is more healing than moments of precious tranquility. Stress has a profound impact on the body and mind, with studies showing it can lead to macroscopic changes in brain structure over time (Mariotti, A. 2015). This, in turn, can lead to other issues, such as a weakened immune system, difficulty in absorbing nutrients into the body properly, and a general decrease in quality of life. Amidst the whirlwind of life, there are centers of calm to be found—places where we can pause, reorient, and connect with Eirene, the Greek goddess and personification of peace.

Passionflower (passiflora icarnata) is one such herb that can aid us in finding these centers of calm. A commonly known nervine, used for promoting restful sleep, softening tension, and even easing occasional aches and pains. Native to Central and South America and now flourishing in many other areas of the world, its hypnotic blossoms invite us to slow down, find our footing, and welcome tranquility into our tired minds. 

As we waltz into the season of romance, many lovers are beginning to ponder which thoughtful gestures or gifts will express their affection towards the person who captivates their hearts most. With our emotions primarily being brought forth by the olfactory system (a.k.a. sense of smell), what better way to showcase affectionate feelings than by blending enamoring scents.

Organics is not a new concept—it's how humanity sustained itself for millennia. There was a time when we didn't question whether our food was laced with chemicals or genetically altered, yet here we are, living in an era where "organic" has become a movement rather than the norm.

In today’s world of healthcare, there’s a big divide. On one side, you have people who swear by "western medicine," celebrating its cutting-edge technology and life-saving interventions. On the other, you have folks who are all about natural remedies, often dismissing modern medicine entirely. But the truth is, both sides bring something valuable to the table. What really matters is asking the right questions—starting with “Why?”

As we move through our daily lives, we seek meaningful connections, and it is this very search that often leads us back to nature. In this endeavor, plants are our allies. Not only do plants physically nurture the animal body through food, shelter, and physiological support—plants also remind us of what it means to be a part of this wild and wonderful world.

Embarking on my journey with herbalism was a leap of faith that has profoundly enriched my life. Having spent over a decade as a business owner, I understood the importance of having a vision and a plan, but I also learned that flexibility and intuition are key. My background in design provided me with strong organizational skills, yet I found myself in uncharted territory when it came to running an herbal business. Nonetheless, I felt a compelling call to explore herbal medicine, driven by a deep-seated passion and an inner knowing that this was my path.

The tropical plant known as Ginger (Zingiber offcinale,) has been grown and used since ancient times. Today, the spice has never been more popular and is used in culinary dishes, for health and wellness, and even for skin care. Ginger is a popular ingredient in bath products, especially in bath salts and bath bombs for its ability to boost energy, warm the body, and support stress. Ginger is a powerful ingredient that also increases circulation and allows the body to cleanse itself. Taking a ginger bath is the perfect way to relax your hard-working body at the end of a busy day. These fizzing bath bombs also contain oatmeal which is naturally soothing to your skin and can be used as a soap alternative for cleansing.  

Out of all the chocolate-covered fruit confectioneries, cherry cordials (a.k.a. chocolate-covered maraschino cherries) fall to the bottom of my sweet tooth cravings barrel. Now, I know that starting by proclaiming my distaste for the very treat this recipe is inspired by may sound counterintuitive, but trust me when I say it has nothing to do with chocolate or cherries! My gripe with cherry cordials has much more to do with the artificial, rather cloying qualities of maraschino cherries. With the heavy pour of corn syrup, artificial cherry flavoring, and Red 40 dye, it is hard to believe that there were once real cherries buried beneath all that unnecessary chemical nonsense.

Here's to the many wonderful herbal events that took place in 2024 and the upcoming event endeavors we're thrilled to continue embarking on in 2025! All of us here at Mountain Rose Herbs are looking forward to blossoming new and old connections in the new year and continue strengthening the bond of the ever-expanding herbalism community all throughout 2025.