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. 

I remember fondly the moment I finished my herbalism degree program. Even though that was almost 20 years ago, the sense of accomplishment I felt is still palpable. However, what I wasn’t prepared for in that moment all those years ago was the mountain that stood between my successes as a student and my goal of becoming a practicing clinician. At its base I stood, well-trained in the art and science of clinical herbalism, yet lacking the entrepreneurial tools I needed to forge into clinical practice…and this is how I almost lost the path altogether. I wasn’t prepared for the reality that clinical herbal practice is a business and a tricky one at that.

  
When crafting mocktail recipes, I have several goals in mind. The first is to make a booze-free drink that tastes amazing and has the bite of a cocktail. I don't want my mocktails to just taste like juice or iced teas! Secondly, I do not like using alcohol-free spirits. I find it unnecessary when you can achieve similar flavors through the use of herbs. Lastly, I like to use botanical ingredients that also support health in various ways. With all of these things in mind, I crafted this stunning ruby red mocktail to support heart health.

Even from a young age, I turned to nature for healing—most often in the arms of the large beech tree outside my home. I would seek solace in the strong limbs until I felt safe and restored. As I jumped down to the ground, I gathered dandelion blossoms and plantain seed heads, twisting them into flower crowns. Long before I knew about the physical properties of the herbs, I instinctively felt called to the plants. I felt safe in nature and I knew I could always turn to her.

What is an Herbarium?

An herbarium is a collection of herbal monographs that catalog your study of plants. Each plant has its own section and is called a monograph. In the past, herbariums included pressed and dried plant specimens to show as many of the plant parts as possible and in different stages of growth. This “proved” the plants’ identities. In our digital age, materia medica specimens primarily utilize images and drawings of the plants.

Certain flavor combinations hold a special place in my heart (and my tastebuds). Many of these flavors include household names such as chocolate and peanut butter, caramel and sea salt, or apples and cinnamon. While all of these dynamic duos are undeniably delicious, my tastebuds have lately become infatuated with a lesser-known flavor combination—citrus and sage. Something truly magical happens when bright, mouth-puckering citrus comes into contact with peppery, earthy sage, and it’s no secret why this is!

Well, it’s official folks. We’ve approached the time of year when the gloomy clouds outside aren’t the only ones feeling under the weather. “Sniffle season” has been rearing its particularly unpleasant head around the Pacific Northwest this year, and it’s beginning to feel a bit like a game of “last man standing” within my family (which I did not win). Being bogged down with a case of the sniffles during the chilly winter months can make the damp weather and shorter days feel all the more dreary. So, having a well-equipped herbal toolbelt can lend an invaluable helping hand towards making it through the germy winter season unscathed. One of my most relied on tools in my seasonally supportive toolbelt this time of year is herbal-infused syrups.