Ek Ongkar

Ek Ongkar Khalsa was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, but she’s no stranger to the ancient Indian wellness philosophy of Ayurveda. She’s had the pleasure of attending many health seminars by the world-renowned Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Partap Chauhan from Jiva Ayurveda. While spending three weeks in India at a Jiva clinic, she attended classes on traditional herbal remedies, Ayurvedic lifestyle, and even got to enjoy traditional Ayurvedic treatments along with traditional Ayurvedic Indian cuisine. Ek Ongkar holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University and worked as a Marketing Strategist at Mountain Rose Herbs for many years. You can often find her sipping chai, taking long walks on local woodland trails, and doing origami.

Recent Posts

DIY World Spice Blends

All too often it’s easy to use the same spices over and over again. If they work, then why not? I sprinkle Italian seasoning on just about everything. Turmeric powder and smoked salt are two other popular staples in my houshold. But this season I was determined to bring some new flavors into my kitchen. I’m thrilled to say that these blends did just the trick!

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

DIY After-Sun Spray with Calendula

As a born-and-raised Oregonian, I tend to crave the summer sun. Skin has its limits, however, and after venturing out on or around water on a sunny day, I find that my largest organ needs as much R&R as I do! Like many folks, I’m a big fan of aloe vera gel, but it can get messy and goopy to use on its own. Fortunately, by combining the generous cooling benefits of aloe vera with wonderful witch hazel extract and skin-loving calendula hydrosol (a mild plant water created during the essential oil distilling process), you can create a non-goopy recipe that is physically refreshing, easy to use, and makes for a comforting end to a long day in the outdoors.

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

Ayurveda-Inspired Skin Care Tips to Age with Grace

With each new trip around the sun, I find myself paying more attention to skincare tips from experts and other folks around me. Applying oil to the skin has been a common theme throughout the Ayurvedic classes I’ve been able to experience. As the Ayurvedic doctors would say: If you can take the time to change the oil in your car or condition your leather possessions, why neglect your own body?

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

Traditional Turmeric Face Mask Recipe for a Golden Glow

One of my first experiences with turmeric masks was at a relative’s wedding many years ago. It was the night before the big event, and the bride’s house was buzzing with excitement! There was chai on the stove, endless platters of food, aunties chatting, and a line of hands waiting for traditional bridal henna tattoos. Later in the evening, the bride sat in simple clothes while her family sat around her to perform a few wedding traditions; one of them was putting turmeric paste on her arms and face.

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

How AHPA Helps Us Offer Safe, High Quality Herbal Creations

What is AHPA?

AHPA (the American Herbal Products Association) is a nonprofit organization made up of over 350 herbal businesses who want to promote the responsible commerce of herbal products. In other words, AHPA is a group of behind-the-scenes herbal experts and enthusiasts who put their companies’ competitive goals aside to work together to make sure that the herbal products available to you online and in stores continue to be safe and healthful.

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

Vegan Homemade White Chocolate Bark Recipe (3 Ways!)

Ever since I laid eyes on the beautiful pink peppercorns we offer here at Mountain Rose Herbs, I knew they would make a perfect garnish for a sweet/savory treat like chocolate bark. Our pink peppercorns have a bright, sweet, and very peppery flavor—the perfect match for one of our gourmet salts. Little did I know that we also had the ingredients to make the homemade white chocolate to go with it! So this winter season, I revisited my my memories of this childhood treat and embarked on a journey to find a few preservative-free herbal variations to share with my friends and family.

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

How to Make Your Own Mustard Bath Herbal Soak

When the evenings grow chilly and all your friends seem to have the sniffles, a warming mustard bath is just the herbal experience you need! It might seem strange to replace bubble bath mix with mustard seed powder, but mustard bath salts have been used since ancient times to stimulate skin circulation and rejuvenate tired muscles. I also find them very relaxing and helpful during those “under-the-weather” days. With a wonderful, invigorating aroma, this recipe includes many time-tested bathing favorites, like Epsom salt, sea salt, baking soda, and essential oils.

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

How to Read a Certificate of Analysis from Our Quality Lab

A Certificate of Analysis for organic St. John's Wort. 

Many of our wonderful customers have questions about the botanicals we sell, either because of health concerns, curiosity, or personal business reasons. Whatever the question may be, we like to provide our community with assurance that we are selling products that are safe, unadulterated, and exactly as listed on our website. One of the ways we do this is through making a document called a “Certificate of Analysis” (COA), which is available to all of our customers upon request.

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

Ayurvedic Cooling Drink with Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

Never heard of amla before? Let me be upfront: it’s very sour! But more importantly, it’s regarded in the Ayurvedic tradition as having cooling properties. Also known as amalaki or Indian gooseberry, it’s a great choice for balancing any heat that comes your way. Although organic dried amla powder is most commonly known as one of the three herbs that make up the popular Ayurvedic blend called triphala, it has other herbal and culinary uses too!

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

Why You Should Try Ayurvedic Triphala (and How to Take It!)

“Take your triphala,” may as well be the slogan of my household. After a questionable restaurant meal or a heavy dinner, my mom is always the first to say, “Better take your triphala!” And for good reason too. This Ayurvedic herb is one of the most famous, multi-use herbs for general wellness and maintaining healthy digestion. Because of this, even guests who stay at our house are not spared the suggestion to give triphala a try. Although it’s an acquired taste, I’m proud to say that I buy it by the pound and have benefited from its gentle herbal support over the years.

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

Make Your Own Harissa Chili Paste

Chili-based condiments have a nuanced world of their own. Often shelved away in the bottoms of pantries and pushed to the ends of recipe books, there are more variations of these spicy delights than one could imagine. Harissa paste is one such delicacy. Like many of the spice blends I’m familiar with, this harissa recipe uses cumin and coriander, but it shines with flagrant uniqueness because of its citrusy tang, hint of caraway, and unbeatable chili flavor.

Read More
Posted by Ek Ongkar

WELCOME

We offer one of the most thorough selections of certified organic herbs, spices, and botanical products and are commited to responsible sourcing.

Ek Ongkar

Ek Ongkar Khalsa was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, but she’s no stranger to the ancient Indian wellness philosophy of Ayurveda. She’s had the pleasure of attending many health seminars by the world-renowned Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Partap Chauhan from Jiva Ayurveda. While spending three weeks in India at a Jiva clinic, she attended classes on traditional herbal remedies, Ayurvedic lifestyle, and even got to enjoy traditional Ayurvedic treatments along with traditional Ayurvedic Indian cuisine. Ek Ongkar holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University and worked as a Marketing Strategist at Mountain Rose Herbs for many years. You can often find her sipping chai, taking long walks on local woodland trails, and doing origami.

Recent Posts

DIY World Spice Blends

Looking for new savory flavors to add to your culinary creations? Check out these globally-inspired DIY spice blends!
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

April 14, 2023

DIY After-Sun Spray with Calendula

Make your own natural after-sun spray to relax and refresh your precious skin with calendula, aloe vera gel, hydrosols, and witch hazel.
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

June 21, 2019

Ayurveda-Inspired Skin Care Tips to Age with Grace

Learn about Ayurveda’s take on skincare and explore a few self-massage (“abhyanga”) routines to keep your skin well hydrated and moisturized with age.
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

May 24, 2019

Traditional Turmeric Face Mask Recipe for a Golden Glow

Find out how to make a traditional turmeric face mask using natural, organic ingredients for healthy and glowing skin. Plus, learn about the traditional uses of turmeric paste and how you can adjust the recipe for your needs!
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

April 5, 2019

How AHPA Helps Us Offer Safe, High Quality Herbal Creations

Learn about AHPA (the American Herbal Products Association) and how their work helps to keep herbal products safe for consumers like you! Plus, read about how Mountain Rose Herbs is involved in AHPA and why we were given the award of Herbal Industry Leader in 2015.
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

January 18, 2019

Vegan Homemade White Chocolate Bark Recipe (3 Ways!)

Looking for an all-natural vegan version of a winter classic? Learn how to make delicious, gourmet chocolate bark with homemade white chocolate and all-natural ingredients like organic pink peppercorns.
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

December 7, 2018

How to Make Your Own Mustard Bath Herbal Soak

Make your own warming mustard bath for rainy and “under-the-weather days” and learn how to customize it to your own needs. Create your own healthful blend using organic mustard seed powder, Epsom salt, and other organic ingredients, including aromatic essential oils.
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

October 12, 2018

How to Read a Certificate of Analysis from Our Quality Lab

Learn how to read a Certificate of Analysis, a document which you can request from our quality control team so you can see which quality control tests were performed on the botanical you are interested in.
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

September 6, 2018

Ayurvedic Cooling Drink with Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

Learn how to use Ayurvedic amla powder to make a refreshing and cooling drink for summer! Similar to an herbal lemonade or herbal Gatorade, this blend of herbs and spices is the perfect mix for a healthful drink during hot months!
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

July 4, 2018

Why You Should Try Ayurvedic Triphala (and How to Take It!)

Explore the benefits of triphala and why you should give it a try! From capsules, to a spoonful of honey, to an Ayurvedic face mask, there are many ways to add this tummy-friendly herb to your daily routine.
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

May 2, 2018

Make Your Own Harissa Chili Paste

Learn about the increasingly popular (and peppery) harissa paste and how to make it in your kitchen with this easy recipe!
WRITTEN BY Ek Ongkar

March 21, 2018