Besides being a practical skill to know, making your own soap from scratch is a fun way to express yourself creatively while producing something that's useful and great for your skin. By following this simple recipe, you can make basic unscented bars of soap, or customize them by adding organic herbs, flowers, essential oils, and other skin-loving ingredients.

Growing up, I had the unique opportunity to embrace herbal wisdom through the ancient Indian philosophy of Ayurveda. For a number of years, my family hosted Ayurvedic physicians who traveled around the world to spread this beautiful knowledge of wellness and balance. It was through this incredible learning experience that I began to understand that the best tools for facial care came from the herbal pantry. Triphala, one of the most common and versatile Ayurvedic herbal formulations, was used for this refreshing facial mask.

High quality botanical butters are incredible assets for body care. These luscious plant fats make exceptional moisturizers on their own and also as ingredients in a wide array of skin and hair care recipes. They give your creations a beautifully creamy, smooth, and substantial viscosity. Pressed from the inner kernels, nuts, or seeds of many different plants, these butters are solid at room temperature, making them ideal for thickening up body care formulations for lotion bars, lip balms, deodorants, hair conditioners, and more! All of the butters we offer may be used interchangeably depending on your preference, allowing for endless versatility.

I’m hardly being hyperbolic when I state that I think world peace could be negotiated over a plate of shortbread cookies and a cup of organic Earl Grey tea. In fact, I think I have solved some of my own most pressing concerns with just that combination. Now, this may all be owing to my Scottish heritage and my penchant for all things old-fashioned and steeped in tradition—I am, after all, just an antique girl living in a modern world—but I am not alone in my belief in the power of a good shortbread cookie!

Organic Spanish marjoram is a bright and camphoraceous essential oil that is distilled from the blooming aerial portions of Thymus mastichina. With a 1,8-cineole content around 50%, this oil can be used in similar ways to other camphorish oils like eucalyptus and rosemary. In addition to 1,8-Cineole, Spanish marjoram also contains camphor, α- and β-pinene, camphene, and borneol.

In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3 as UN World Wildlife Day, in an effort to raise awareness about the world’s wild animals and plants. Here at Mountain Rose Herbs, we’re dedicated to doing everything we can to further this important work. That’s why we build relationships with exceptional nonprofit partners like Wild Farm Alliance (WFA).

In aromatherapy, we are constantly talking about diluting essential oils in a carrier. But what is a carrier, and which should you choose? Here we’re going to cover the organic carrier oils that are most commonly used for topical recipes and massage.

Seaweeds, also known as “sea vegetables,” are widely prized for their rich supply of minerals and their unique umami-packed flavor. Bladderwrack, dulse, and nori are some of the healthful certified organic seaweeds that thrive off the beautiful coast of Maine's Atlantic waters. I took a trip across the country to visit with our skilled harvesters who devote their life to these flavorful ocean treasures.

Here at Mountain Rose Herbs, we work hard to do business in a way that leaves the lightest possible footprint on this earth. Each year we publish a detailed report to measure and monitor our sustainability efforts and provide our customers the transparency they deserve. We're still working on our 2017 report but couldn't help ourselves from sharing some initial results with you!

As a sensual scent, rose is associated with love and the heart. It promotes closeness and emotional balance, and its sweet, floral notes can be found in an array of scented products. From luscious lotions and skin care, to sweet perfumes and warming diffuser blends, this versatile ingredient makes a regular appearance. Use this helpful guide to sort out the subtle differences between the natural rose essential oils and hydrosols we offer, so you can find the perfect rosy ingredients for you and your budget.

I was first introduced to kava (technically called “kava kava”) while visiting Hawaii’s Big Island. After getting back to the mainland, I began to notice kava everywhere. Kava bars were now easy to find on my travels coast-to-coast, from Asheville, North Carolina to Portland, Oregon. Articles in publications like The New York Times extolled its increasing popularity as an alternative to caffeine-fueled coffee shops or alcohol-centric drinking establishments.