Organic Herb Sourcing: The Bigger Picture

In 1987 Mountain Rose Herbs was founded on a commitment to sustainably source all of our botanicals, and since then we’ve made every effort to uphold that commitment. One of the most important aspects of keeping that promise is ensuring transparency in the supply chains for each lot of material that we receive in our warehouse. Maintaining this requires a close relationship between Mountain Rose and our farm partners, and this relationship is managed by our Procurement team.

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Posted by Katheryn

BRING Business Program Adds Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Component

You’ve heard us say before that the foundational principle of Mountain Rose Herbs is “people, plants, and planet are more important than profit.” A primary element of how we succeed in keeping that ethic at the core of everything we do is the recognition that no matter how much we strive for excellence as human beings and as a company, it really does “take a village” to create change and to set ourselves always on a path of growth and learning. We have been building working relationships with like-minded companies, organizations, nonprofits, and individuals for more than three decades in order to put strategic action to our principles. One of these longstanding alliances is with BRING, a local nonprofit that has been working to change attitudes and behaviors about waste for 50 years.

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Posted by Shawn

A Promise of Permanence

We are living in unpredictable times. This sounds like an obvious statement when the entire world is reeling from two years of pandemic and social and political unrest, and it seems as if everything is spinning out of our control. We are indeed living through precarious times, but what I am referring to specifically in this blog is the nature of business and industry. The herbal products industry has changed enormously over the last few years, and in my opinion, it’s not been for the best. Most of the herbal companies that we have worked with, that we have known and admired for decades, have now been acquired by private equity firms, investment holdings, and venture capitalists. I have never witnessed anything like this in the 22 years I have been at Mountain Rose Herbs. Our community has grown significantly smaller, and the industry is pushing hard towards a profit-driven business model that is the antithesis of everything I believe in. This disturbing reality has made me think a lot about permanence: permanence, and predictability, and being a brand that people can trust.

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Posted by Shawn

10 Tips for Starting and Running a Natural Products Business

As a bulk supplier of organic ingredients, we work with many businesses in the natural products industry. Part of our business relationship with these other organizations includes an exchange of tips and insights about running a company in an always-changing landscape. I want to share with you some of what I have learned about business development in my years with Mountain Rose Herbs. Whether you are considering starting a business, want to grow the one you have, or you’re simply interested in how successful companies thrive, these are some of the most helpful tips I have learned along the way.

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Posted by Shawn

Meet Our On-Staff Certified Aromatherapist

In the past few years, interest in aromatherapy has skyrocketed. More and more people are looking at alternative ways to manage their own wellness, build resilience, and create a peaceful, clean space to rejuvenate and renew. Increasingly, people are reaching out to us with questions, and inevitably we look to our Director of Product Development and Certified Aromatherapist, Christine, to provide us with guidance. Having a talented aromatherapist on staff and continuing to invest in her ongoing professional development has been one of the best decisions for both Mountain Rose Herbs and our wonderful customers. Christine brings remarkable expertise to both product creation and quality control, keeps us in close touch with the aromatherapy community and trade associations, and is the mastermind behind our new lines of oil blends and essential oil kits. She also has excellent insights for others who are interested in pursuing aromatherapy personally or professionally. We love her story, and we want to share it with you, along with her tips for those who have discovered their own passion for essential oils and want to learn more.

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Posted by Heidi

Alternative Commute Incentives Add up to Big Change

Before I moved to Eugene in March of 2010, I drove a car every day, everywhere. Living in the suburbs of Boston, it was necessary. I didn’t know anyone who didn’t drive to work, to the grocery store, or even to the gym. When I arrived, I brought my mindset with me and drove everywhere: to work (ten blocks from home), to the grocery store (twelve blocks), and the gym (just over a mile). In my first three months here, I clocked fewer than a hundred miles and made three car payments—clearly not an economical way to get around! I sold my car that June and bought a used bicycle.

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Posted by Julia

EarthShare: Putting Passion to Work through Workplace Giving

Mountain Rose Herbs is proud to be an EarthShare Oregon Business Member. EarthShare is a national network that connects environmental organizations across the United States using businesses as fundraising platforms. In 2011, we launched our very first EarthShare Oregon campaign by organizing an employee giving program that connects our staff with like-minded environmental organizations working to protect and defend the places we hold dear. Through this program, we have successfully connected our employees with over 100 environmental organizations that they are passionate about supporting. That is nearly $100,000 given the past 8 years! Read on to learn more about EarthShare Oregon.

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Posted by Shawn

Change is Afoot at Mountain Rose Herbs


In September of this year, after nearly three decades of amazing leadership, longtime Mountain Rose Herbs owner Julie Bailey announced that she was ready to retire and pass on ownership of Mountain Rose to her trusted partner, Mountain Rose Herbs co-owner and CEO Shawn Donnille. “On September 30th, I bought out my partner of 20 years, and most trusted friend, Julie Bailey,” said Shawn on the occasion. “Both Julie and I co-owned and successfully managed the company from 2000-2020 and with fond memories I wish her the best for her retirement.” As we pivot to look ahead at what is next for Mountain Rose Herbs, we want to take this opportunity to share news and let you know more about the direction we are heading as a company.

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Posted by Heidi

Philanthropic Giving from the Inside Out


Author Timothy Pina once said, “Philanthropy is not about money…it’s about feeling the pain of others and caring enough about their needs to help.” In other words, philanthropy, to effect real change, must go deeper than throwing funds at the surface of a problem; it must attempt to address the roots of an issue. But how does someone—whether an individual, a small business, or a corporation—find the act of giving that makes sense for them and effects the kind of change they would like to see in the world? 

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Posted by Heidi

Endangered White Sage: Procuring Organic Cultivated Salvia Apiana

Mountain Rose Herbs has been in a years-long process of shifting our procurement policies steadily away from wild-harvested botanicals. This policy shift is in direct response to the increasing impact of overharvesting on wild stands of some of the most beloved herbs and spices around the world. White sage (Salvia apiana) is one example. In the past few years, white sage has come under a dual attack. The arid regions that are home to wild stands of Salvia apiana have been badly impacted by climate change, which has caused wildfires and other devastation. At the same time, there has been a meteoric rise in the commercialization of smudging, which has created a lucrative market for illegally harvested white sage, much of it taken from public lands. It is for this reason that Mountain Rose Herbs made the decision in 2019 to procure 100% of our loose-leaf white sage from a special cultivation project in the rocky hills of San Diego County’s North County region. We consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to support such an important project.

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Posted by Heidi

What is Sustainability in Business & Why is it Important?

We work hard here at Mountain Rose Herbs to be an example of a business that puts people, plants, and planet before profit. You’ve heard of “the bottom line,” which in business parlance means thinking about profitability. But in our changing world, business leaders are considering whether there is a better, more sustainable model than a purely profit driven one. The “triple bottom line” model brings social and environmental impact into play. It insists on corporate responsibility and sustainable development, it prioritizes people, plants, and planet. We strive to raise the bar for ethical business practices and to model how to integrate sustainability into business strategies in a way that drives company success.

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Posted by Heidi

WELCOME

We offer one of the most thorough selections of certified organic herbs, spices, and botanical products and are commited to responsible sourcing.

Organic Herb Sourcing: The Bigger Picture

Procurement is more than relationship building. A good buyer takes into consideration the whole picture, from geological happenings to the quality of the final product, and everywhere in between.
WRITTEN BY Katheryn

December 8, 2021

BRING Business Program Adds Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Component

We work with BRING’s Rethink Business Program. They are helping businesses weave justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (J.E.D.I.) into workplaces
WRITTEN BY Shawn

November 29, 2021

A Promise of Permanence

The difference in a company and a brand comes down to permanence. Read what the Mountain Rose Herbs CEO has to say about balancing growth and ethics.
WRITTEN BY Shawn

October 12, 2021

10 Tips for Starting and Running a Natural Products Business

Learn 10 tips for starting and running a business in the natural products sector.
WRITTEN BY Shawn

September 3, 2021

Meet Our On-Staff Certified Aromatherapist

Learn why we have a certified aromatherapist on staff and hear what she says about aromatherapy education, certification, essential oil blending, etc.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

July 23, 2021

Alternative Commute Incentives Add up to Big Change

We care for our employee's health and well-being by providing an Alternative Commute Bonus. Read how one bicyclist earned enough bonus for a new bike.
WRITTEN BY Julia

April 12, 2021

EarthShare: Putting Passion to Work through Workplace Giving

How does your workplace give? Discover how you can invest in environmental causes through workplace giving campaigns.
WRITTEN BY Shawn

December 16, 2020

Change is Afoot at Mountain Rose Herbs

As we look ahead at 2021, we want to share news about Mountain Rose Herbs and let you know more about the direction our company is heading.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

November 30, 2020

Philanthropic Giving from the Inside Out

Effective philanthropy addresses the roots of societal pain. Learn how to determine the kinds of charitable giving that make the most sense for you.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

November 24, 2020

Endangered White Sage: Procuring Organic Cultivated Salvia Apiana

Mountain Rose Herbs sells only organically certified cultivated white sage. Find out how disaster created opportunity for this overharvested, sacred plant.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

September 18, 2020

What is Sustainability in Business & Why is it Important?

Mountain Rose Herbs leads the herbal industry in environmental stewardship and sustainability. Learn how we became an Oregon Benefit Company.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

September 4, 2020