I have to admit, the concept of this recipe came from an herbal preparation flop. As I was getting ready to hunker down for the colder months ahead, I began my seasonal tradition of making elder berry syrup. Wanting to expand the flavor profile and add a little seasonal boost, I decided to include some rosehips. As it turns out, if you add too many rosehips, your syrup will take on a jam-like texture due to the natural pectin. But all was not lost as it was quite a delicious mishap, and one that I wanted to explore further.

Throughout spring and summer, I crave the fresh, creamy texture and flavor of a nourishing matcha latte—first hot, then iced, and then in cooling dessert form. When I discovered homemade matcha ice cream, I wasn’t sure I could take my green obsession any further. But when my friend suggested a mid-July home spa day, and we started brainstorming ideas for herbal tea facials, I found myself thinking about matcha in a whole new way.

When I moved from my home state of New Jersey to beautiful Oregon, I was exposed to so many new things. Among my favorite discoveries were the abundant, handwritten road signs that advertised fresh local produce, eggs, and honey. Intrigued and excited by these signs, I stopped in to meet my local neighborhood beekeeper, who was thrilled that I knocked on his door to say hello. He brought me over to his hives and taught me a lot about what it means to care for bees. I wanted to support my farm neighbor, so I bought a gallon of honey. What I was going to do with that much honey, I had yet to figure out.

Experience the 100+ years of history behind our organic hops from a third-generation Oregon farming family, from harvest through processing!

There is a growing recognition on the part of conscientious consumers about the sources of the botanical products they purchase, both in regard to where their favorite herbs come from and how their own purchasing behaviors impact environmental sustainability. This increasing awareness that there are people and places tied to every item we buy involves not just knowing where a botanical comes from, but also acknowledging the context in which it is harvested.

The Federal Courthouse in Springfield, Massachusetts is a large modern building with an entire edifice of glass facing the street. With its “cascading concave roof gracefully framing the space in a delicate shell of steel and glass,” the courthouse is an imposing sight. But even more impressive than this wall of steel and glass are the two ancient trees that the courthouse was obviously built to accommodate. The glass walls literally curve around a huge old copper beech that looks like it’s been standing there for centuries and the largest Tillia europa, or linden tree, that I’ve ever seen. It’s apparent that the architects took these trees into account when planning and building this courthouse. I later learned that indeed, the designers felt that “their presence was too powerful to ignore,” and the preservation of these trees “was a key element in the design proposal that emerged” for the courthouse.

Herbal salves are such a simple, effective, and useful way to take in herbal goodness! They can easily be slipped into a purse, pocket, or first aid kit. Although semi-solid at room temperature, salves soften once applied to the skin, making them less messy than oils. They also make great gifts and are an easy and approachable way to introduce newbies to the power of herbs. Plus, salves can be crafted for a wide variety of topical uses. The addition of beeswax will protect, soothe, and nourish your skin.

The world of herbalism is intriguing, vast . . . and sometimes intimidating! Projects like creating tinctures using the percolation method, or making your own mead, can seem daunting for those new to the botanical arts. That's why when we're trying to help a friend get started in herbs without overwhelming them, we often recommend one of our favorite herbalism projects for beginners: making herb-infused oils.

I absolutely love to travel, and I painstakingly research and plan for my trips. However, mixed with all the eager anticipation of an upcoming adventure looms the fear of illness ruining my vacation. I think we have all had that experience where you take your seat on the plane and get settled, only to discover that someone near you has a hacking cough and looks like death warmed over. I find myself holding my breath and repeating, “I will NOT get sick,” over and over in my head. Thankfully, we can do more than just hope for the best—we can utilize wellness-supporting herbs before, during, and after traveling so we can make the most of our trip.

While the popularity of herbalism is increasing, it is still not commonplace in our western society. This is why so many of us don’t know how to safely begin incorporating new herbs and herbal supplements into our routines. Here at Mountain Rose Herbs, we are often asked for advice on what herbs are the best for specific maladies, or if we can share the best uses for each herb. Unfortunately, these questions do not always have clear answers—as with most wellness-related strategies, one size rarely fits all.

Stand beneath a blooming linden tree, and chances are you will slowly become aware of an almost unbelievable event taking place. The tree will be so alive with the hum and buzz of happy honeybees so absorbed in their harvest, they may very well bounce right off of you! An 80-year-old tree near my home presents a nearly surreal experience under her widespread, blooming boughs.