If you’re anything like me, your schedule is often a little too crowded. And the struggle of trying to balance our always-on culture against some quality “me” time is real. While I haven’t been great at saying no to as many things I would like to this year, I have been better about finding those quiet moments of me time. One of the things that helps me to quickly find a moment of tranquility is to eliminate the distractions of technology and enjoy a little aromatherapy. These buckwheat and lavender eye pillows check both of those boxes, plus they’re easy to transport and they’re adorable! 

I’ve written at length about my childhood aspirations to be an herbalist. These early fantasies dreamed up from the embrace of a favorite apple tree were no doubt romantic and in some ways impractical. But they also held a seed of long-lasting truth that continues to inform how I shape my path as an herbalist and lifelong lover of plants.

I went in for allergy testing because I’d been experiencing increasing amounts of sneezing and congestion. I live in Oregon’s Willamette Valley—the land of pollen—so I assumed I was developing the typical pollen-based misery that some of my friends suffer through every year. However, it turned out I wasn't allergic to anything natural, including pollens and my pets (good news!). I discovered, however, that my symptoms were being caused by a chemical sensitivity (bad news!), and the allergist immediately pointed to my skin care, hair care, and laundry detergent as likely culprits. 

Spring is the time of year when many plant lovers head into the woods to wild-harvest fresh Urtica dioica—affectionately known as “stinging nettle”. This versatile and popular herb has been utilized for centuries across the globe.

Mother’s Day always conjures up memories of making a special, personalized gift to show my mom how loved she was. As a child, this sometimes resulted in questionable craft projects which only a mother could love! One that stands out in my mind, was the painted wooden egg cups—a definite necessity for all households—bright turquoise of course! And yet, they still hold a spot on the bookcase at my parents’ home.

Living a zero waste lifestyle is no easy task. Consuming less, getting rid of clutter, and eliminating packaging waste at home is one thing. Reducing waste for a company the size of Mountain Rose Herbs, a company with 200 employees operating in eight facilities, is a different story. We’d love to share how we strive for zero waste. It started with dedicated employees and a fierce commitment to environmental stewardship.

This solar holiday, also known to some as "Midsummer," marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. There is much folklore and myth associated with this holiday, and some traditions consider Midsummer’s Night to be a night where the veil between the human world and the world of the Faerie Folk is at its thinnest—a night the denizens of Faerie might be seen frolicking, making mischief, and dancing in merriment! Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a good illustration of this mythical thread. 

Many of us here at Mountain Rose Herbs are the products of great dads, and we always look forward to honoring them as Father’s Day draws near. If the important father figure in your life is hard to shop for, we have a few suggestions to make the search a bit easier ... and more sustainable! 

Spring is upon us here in Western Oregon, and that means it’s time to head up into the Cascades to see how our treasured stands of Oregon grape and pipsissewa fared after a long, cold winter. The only problem at this time of year is the clouds of mosquitoes and other biting insects that stand between us and our treasured plants. Luckily, we have a new certified organic Bug Spray to help keep these buggers at bay.

Though it is still mostly cold and dark here in the Willamette Valley, we often close our eyes at this time of year and dream of our bountiful summer gardens. And our dreams got much bigger this year, as we have added several new varieties of seeds.