Organic vegetable glycerine—known as glycerol and sometimes spelled glycerin—is an effective alternative to alcohol-based tinctures for extracting and preserving many beneficial herbal constituents. Of course, infusions, decoctions, and oxymels are ideal for many herbal wellness goals that don’t involve alcohol, but glycerites—the medicinal preparations made by mixing vegetable glycerine with herbs—can open new opportunities for teetotalers, parents, and those who do not wish to have alcohol. Bonus: it tastes good! Glycerol is a clear, colorless, odorless liquid with a viscous consistency and a pleasing sweetness that makes it a good base for botanical flavors.

One of my favorite daily indulgences is a piece of rich, organic dark chocolate paired with crunchy almonds. It's a combination that satisfies my sweet tooth, boosts my spirits, and keeps me on a healthy snack track. So, I began a quest to find the perfect way to incorporate chocolate with healthy organic herbal goodness, resulting in these irresistible no-bake ashwagandha chocolate bites. Imagine sinking your teeth into a treat with cookie dough's soft, chewy texture, the warm, aromatic kick of chai-inspired spices, and that beloved, intense dark chocolate flavor!

We often get excellent questions and comments from the Mountain Rose Herbs community that inspire us on product ideas, blog writing, and more. We recently had a question about the difference between whole and standardized herbal products and how to choose which to use. We are so glad you asked that! 

Saffron, often regarded as the world's most precious spice, offers numerous benefits beyond its captivating flavor and vibrant hue. Packed with various bioactive compounds, saffron can enhance culinary dishes and add a touch of luxury to mealtime. Its rich color and unique aroma make it a sought-after ingredient in traditional and contemporary cuisines. Beyond the kitchen, saffron's historical use in cultures around the world highlights its value in herbalism and holistic wellness practices. It contains bountiful antioxidants and has been known to support many of our body’s natural functions and mood support.

Mushrooms are often called a superfood because they are so nutrient-dense. They provide protein, fiber, and antioxidants. They contain essential vitamins and minerals. Even when we dehydrate them, they boast amazing nutritional value, which is why dried mushrooms and mushroom powders are such useful pantry items to have on hand. However, some of the most beneficial bioactive components in mushrooms, called beta-glucans—are in the chitin—the mushroom’s cell wall layers—which cannot be broken down by the human digestive system. To access these bioactive components, we must first extract them. Enter mushroom extracts and mushroom extract powders!

With summer on the horizon, my mixologist husband has started to plan for our annual hot-weather mocktails. He often has a theme in mind. For the last couple of years, he’s been working on functional fizzy drinks that are refreshing and match our wellness goals. This year—maybe because we are at an age where we’re starting to think more about ways to support our remaining brain plasticity and cognitive faculties—he’s focusing on herbs with nootropic properties that support the brain. So far, he has come up with two keepers using brain-friendly herbs that are going to make my patio afternoons delightful this summer.

Welcome! Today, hopefully, you will learn something new about the fruit of the bitter orange tree, which originates in Asia but has been part of “Western” herbal medicine for around 1,000 years. Perhaps better known, at least in some circles, for the production of essential oil from its flowers, the fruit of this tree is considered a very important herb in Chinese medicine. Western herbal medicine, however, has never seen it as a significant herb. As the acclaimed Eclectic physician Harvey Wilks Felter stated in 1922, “[It is] stimulant, carminative and tonic, but [it is] used chiefly as a flavoring agent.”

Iron is at the core of how our bodies function. It's what helps deliver oxygen, keeps our metabolism ticking, and powers our energy levels. But the unfortunate truth is that many of us are running low on this important nutrient, leaving us feeling drained and sluggish.

Each year when Mother's Day rolls around, I seek gifts that will make Mom feel loved and appreciated. I also aim to get her gifts that she will actually use. You would think I'd have it down to a science by now, but as May rolls around each year, finding the right gift seems to get even harder. Maybe it's because the older I get, the more I appreciate my Mom and want her to know that, or maybe it's that I've gifted her so many things over the years that I want it to be different. What I do know is that she most enjoys my homemade gestures of love. She knows I took my time to make her something, tailored it to her preferences, and created things she can use instead of things that will collect dust or create clutter. 

We love spring in Eugene! However, this is the time our stunning oaks, cedars, pines, and other trees release their pollen. Then we move into gorgeous early summer weather… except that is when the ryegrass and Timothy grasses that are so prevalent in our area join the trees in their pollen-fest. For people who have sensitivities to pollen, spring and summer in our beautiful city can be challenging. The silver lining for herbalism DIYers is this is an opportunity to try your hand at making herbal lozenges that can offer some seasonal relief.

As the springtime sun begins to shine through the clouds and blossom-speckled botanicals make their annual debut, there is no better time of year to celebrate the profoundly magical flora that surrounds us. Each year, the first Saturday of May we celebrate Herb Day. This holiday is an opportunity to bring together herbalists, environmentalists, and plant enthusiasts alike for a day of honoring our planet’s beloved botanicals. Throughout existence, plants have served as a lifeline of oxygen, energy, food, and medicine that play a crucial role in the future and longevity of Earth’s living creatures. For thousands of years, plants have been utilized around the globe as an integral healing resource that has shaped the world of herbal wellness we know today.