Despite the long tradition of distillation, the word hydrosol has become increasingly ambiguous. In the US, much like essential oils, hydrosols (or hydrolats) are unregulated, and products marketed under that name can be very different from one bottle to another. Distillation of hydrosols is an ancient art in which the distiller undertakes the no-small-task of mimicking the inspiring water cycle we witness here on earth; just on a micro-level, inside of their still. Have you ever made soup, put a lid on the pot, and when you took the lid off, there was clear water on top of the lid? That is a distillate of your soup, and it is the simplest way to understand where hydrosols come from.

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! 

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrh) has been a cherished botanical for thousands of years. Native to the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, this sacred tree has been called upon for traditional medicine, religious incense, and perfumery for over 5,000 years. It has a long lineage of folklore and spirituality, and was so prized that it was used to anoint kings and scent the fabrics of pilgrims traveling to holy places. It's no less adored today.

Chances are that if you have been grocery shopping within the last 25 years, you have heard about or seen kombucha. In fact, these days it is hard to throw a rock in a food store and not hit a bottle of the oftentimes brightly colored, effervescent, and vaguely mysterious brew. As a fermented beverage, kombucha is rife with naturally occurring probiotics, which are believed to help promote healthy gut flora and aid in digestion. Pair the health benefits with the countless delicious flavors available, and it is easy to make store-bought kombucha a daily habit. While your tummy and taste buds might scream yes to this, your bank account might be slightly less enthusiastic. Fortunately, making your own kombucha is cost-effective and much easier than you might think!

There are few things more satisfying than a large glass of cold lemonade on a hot day. One of my core childhood memories is visiting the lemonade stand at the Saturday Market here in Eugene. Fresh lemon juice, water, sweetener, and optional fruit compotes; all shaken up by hand and served ice cold and sweet. At that time in life, the way they mixed these simple ingredients to create something so delicious seemed like an especially magical type of alchemy to me. There were multiple fruit options, but I was always a die-hard strawberry lemonade fan. Even now, I can vividly remember the way the bits of strawberries came slurping up through the straw and the way their fruity sweetness mingled with the tangy flavor of lemon. As an adult, I still love strawberry lemonade, and even though it is hard to improve on perfection, I have also discovered the joy of practicing my own kind of alchemy with it, namely by adding different herbal allies. Herbs are a beautiful way to add both depth of flavor and health benefits to a lemonade recipe. With local strawberries beginning to appear at the farmers market, it felt like the perfect time to kick off some summer lemonade crafting.

 
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you make finishing salt a part of your culinary repertoire. This artisanal balsamic and basil blend is the ultimate example—a sophisticated, dual-toned addition to top your favorite proteins, salads, or even desserts. The best part? It’s an exercise in effortless gourmet living. It requires no specialized equipment and very little active time, yet the result turns what may have otherwise been a simple meal into something truly memorable.

The intersection of art and nature has always been my biggest draw to herbalism. Throughout history, the roots of herbalism and art have long been intertwined by the rich tradition of botanical illustration and self-expression. Just as no two artists would illustrate a figure drawing in the same way, it’s unlikely you’ll find two herbalists whose home apothecaries display identical herbs—and that right there is the beauty of creativity!

I love the peace of knowing that I have both the skills and stock on hand to thrive in most of the situations life throws my way. I can confidently rely on my resourcefulness and forethought to help me whether I can’t get to the grocery store for a bit, need to pinch some pennies, or just ran out of laundry soap. The efforts that I put into this lifestyle are also in line with my sustainability goals and significantly reduce the waste generated from my household.

With the exception of my stuffed mushroom recipe, this is my most requested potluck dish. I created this side dish 12 years ago when trying to figure out what to bring to a gathering. I was working with a pretty tight budget at the time, so I looked to my cupboard to see what I could make with what I had on hand. Rye berries—lots and lots of rye berries!I happened to be experimenting with growing oyster mushrooms and was using rye berries as a substrate.Since they are completely edible and I had an abundance, I decided that would be the main ingredient to build on. What I later learned was that rye berries weren’t just a cost-effective way to feed a lot of people. They are actually a great source of fiber and chock full of vitamins A, K, B2, and B6. Rye berries also contain manganese, potassium, copper, and phosphorus. So what I was staring at in my bulk goods pantry was a gold mine of nutritious possibilities.

For over a decade, I have been practicing and teaching natural skin care.I have formulated dozens of homemade skincare products, but I also purchase some that I know are made with the same integrity, quality, and thought I put into my formulations. One of the newest additions to this “can purchase elsewhere” category is Mountain Rose Herbs’ new line of housemade skincare. Now, I may be a little biased, but I would not put something on my face that I didn’t trust, and I can tell you honestly that I love the new line.

I relish my morning cup of tea; sometimes, the thought of it is the only way I can get myself to leave the cozy warmth of my bed. That first sip is always just the thing I need to start feeling like an actual person that can function in the world. Would it be too dramatic to say that your first sip of tea is the most important sip of the day? Not only is it the thing that gets me out of bed, but it also sets the tone for the day and gives me a little opportunity to treat myself. Because of this, I like to switch up what I am drinking to keep it fresh and exciting.