If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I love a cold, refreshing beverage. In fact, I am sipping on a tall glass oficed teaas I write this very blog! There’s something about having a sweet, citrusy, bubbly, floral, or fruity drink in my hand that can melt away a bad day in no time. The only problem with this refreshment obsession of mine is that those $6 bottles of kombucha and $4 cans of prebiotic sodas tend to add up pretty quickly, especially when I require one in hand at all times on these hot summer days. While my bank account may not appreciate my beverage habit, my taste buds certainly do, so rather than give up my daily afternoon refreshment, I’ve opened myself up to a whole new world of fun and affordable ways to keep my glass full: homemade tea refreshers.

Our animal companions give us unconditional love every day, and they deserve the same thoughtful care in return. Whether you share your life with a playful puppy, a curious cat, a hardworking horse, or another beloved companion, herbs can be a wonderful way to support their overall wellness.

In many corporate settings, the stakeholders who receive the most attention are those in the boardroom or among the shareholders. At Mountain Rose Herbs, we see every person who brews a cup of our tea, takes our organic herbal supplements to support their health, or works with botanicals as a vital stakeholder.

We often get excellent questions and comments from the Mountain Rose Herbs community that inspire us on product ideas, blog writing, and more. We recently had a question about the difference between whole and standardized herbal products and how to choose which to use. We are so glad you asked that! 

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrh) has been a cherished botanical for thousands of years. Native to the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, this sacred tree has been called upon for traditional medicine, religious incense, and perfumery for over 5,000 years. It has a long lineage of folklore and spirituality, and was so prized that it was used to anoint kings and scent the fabrics of pilgrims traveling to holy places. It's no less adored today.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has long been loved for its pleasing and relaxing scent. We know that it was used by people in the Mediterranean for at least 2,500 years, and judging by our continued frequent use of lavender in candles, bath products, and even detergents, lavender isn't going out of style. If we didn't know better, we could dismiss lavender as a good-smelling plant and leave it at that. But lavender has two stories to tell. The first is that the smell is a surprisingly important part of its wellness-supporting qualities. The second is that this complex plant has many benefits beyond its scent.

When many of us hear the name Fire Cider, we think of a common immune-supporting oxymel made and enjoyed in the autumn and winter months. But this herbal tonic can be used in myriad ways throughout the year. Fire Cider is a popular herbal folk remedy invented by esteemed herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. The preparation is made by infusing apple cider vinegar and honey with wellness-supporting ingredients such as horseradish, garlic, onion, ginger, cayenne, and sometimes turmeric and rosemary. The result is a timeless and tasty herbal preparation found in the pantries of herbalists around the world.

If you’ve ever endeavored to brew your own kombucha, you know that the result of your initial ferment has a rather plain flavor when compared with your favorite professionally made varieties, but it doesn’t have to stay that way! The combinations of herbs, spices, fruits, and juices that can add flavor to your homemade kombucha are almost endless, allowing you to transform your original tangy tea canvas into countless quaffable masterpieces.

As we learned in part one of this Elemental Herbalism series, the Elements are archetypal mirrors of the natural world within and all around. They reflect the cycles of the seasons, the cycles of our lives, and the sacred ecology of our individual and collective bodies and Spirits. In this article, we look to the South, welcome summer Fire, and explore roses, people’s medicine. 

Growing up, the last day of school always meant one thing: snow cones. While the excitement of being released from the confines of public school for summer break was great and all, the real thrill began when the snow cone machine was dusted off to make its annual appearance. From sour green apple to bright cherry red, and my personal favorite, “blue mystery syrup”, each kid would parade around with their own kaleidoscope of colorful syrups drizzled over a mountain of shaved ice. 

All of us here at Mountain Rose Herbs are excited to connect with you at events this year. We now have an event calendar that can be sorted to show events at each of our stores in Eugene, Seattle, and Palm Springs, as well as community events that we sponsor and support around the country.

Please note that this is an ever-evolving calendar, and we will continue to add more events throughout the year. 

We can't wait to see you out and about!