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

Mountain Rose Herbs: A TRUE Zero Waste Company

In 2016, Mountain Rose Herbs became the first company in Oregon to receive a TRUE Zero Waste Facility Certification. The TRUE program is part of Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the premier organization independently recognizing excellence in global green business industry performance and practices. TRUE is a whole systems approach aimed at changing how materials flow through society and encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused.

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Posted by Heidi

Natural Variations in Our Herbal Products Explained

Over our 30+ years of business, we’ve helped literally tons of botanicals find their way onto our customers’ shelves. We always strive to provide consistent quality in our herbal offerings, but when it comes to superficial characteristics, Mother Nature often likes to put her own unique touches on each batch, which can result in some perceptible variation from one order to the next. However, you can trust that here at Mountain Rose Herbs, we’re always going the extra mile to make sure your ingredients are of the best possible quality, regardless of any apparent differences.

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Posted by Tim

How We Became A Zero Waste Certified Business

You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make. —Dr. Jane Goodall

Environmental stewardship is woven into the fabric of Mountain Rose Herbs’ company culture and sustainable business practices. Striving towards zero waste is one way we take responsibility for our impact. Thanks to our dedicated staff, we became the first company in Oregon to achieve a TRUE Zero Waste Facility certification from Green Business Certification Inc. We completed a peer-reviewed scorecard and on-site audit to achieve the highest-level certification—platinum!

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Posted by Alyssa

Assuring Herbal Quality & Safety with Plant Identification Experts

The question at hand is, “is this actually Arnica montana?” Steven, our Director of Quality, stands in front of two computer screens. One monitor displays brightly colored bars stacked on a black backdrop. On the other, photographs of vibrant yellow petals are zoomed in to such a degree that the golden bits on screen look more like banana peels than flowers. Steven and his team of lab-coat-wearing professionals use various methods of testing and an extensive reference library of pressed plant parts to find the answer. Species identification not only ensures efficacy, it also means keeping our customers safe.

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Posted by Tim

Making 5th Chakra Herbal Syrup for Winter Wellness

We've been crafting herbal teas for nearly 30 years, and 5th Chakra has become one of our most beloved blends. Especially wonderful during the winter woes, the sweet, citrus, and warming spices combined with Echinacea for immune support* and soothing marshmallow root make this tea the perfect base for a seasonal wellness syrup. Read More
Posted by Tim

Understanding Taxonomy and Species Labeling in Natural Herbal Products

Have you ever wondered about scientific names when analyzing a label or reading about an herb in your favorite herbal book? Besides being fun to learn (and pronounce), botanical names provide a universally accepted system of recognition. Depending on numerous factors, such as the region you live in, the lineage you’ve grown up with, or school you attended, the same plant could be referred to by several different common names. This can make it really confusing if you’re trying to identify a plant in the wild, consult an herbal book, or purchase a specific herb. I’ve found that a little overview of scientific botanical terminology can go a long way in understanding the plants I work with and use every day.

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Posted by Elise

WELCOME

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

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

Mountain Rose Herbs: A TRUE Zero Waste Company

Mountain Roes Herbs was the first company in Oregon to be Zero Waste Facility certified. Learn how a triple bottom line company embraces sustainability.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

July 14, 2020

Natural Variations in Our Herbal Products Explained

Wondering why your recent batch of herbs appears a bit different from the last one? We break down the factors that affect the look of your herbal products.
WRITTEN BY Tim

March 27, 2020

How We Became A Zero Waste Certified Business

Learn how Mountain Rose Herbs strives towards zero waste in their operations, tracks waste diversion rates, and partners with Sustainable Herbs Program to share best practices.
WRITTEN BY Alyssa

January 15, 2020

Assuring Herbal Quality & Safety with Plant Identification Experts

Mountain Rose Herbs has a state-of-the-art quality control lab that features a strict identity testing program. Using macroscopic, microscopic, and high performance thin layer chromatography, as well as the human senses, botanicals are accurately identified to ensure safety and accountability in the herbal industry.
WRITTEN BY Tim

January 8, 2020

Making 5th Chakra Herbal Syrup for Winter Wellness

Making an herbal syrup can be as beneficial to you and your family as it is fun! Our herbal tea blend, 5th Chakra, is full of beneficial herbs and spices that are perfect for the winter sniffles. An herbal syrup is a perfect way to take your herbs.
WRITTEN BY Tim

December 26, 2019

Understanding Taxonomy and Species Labeling in Natural Herbal Products

Discover the world of botanical names and how terminology can help guide our understanding of the valuable herbs we use to support health and wellbeing.
WRITTEN BY Elise

December 11, 2019