Benefits & History of Castor Oil + Salve Recipe

You may be familiar with castor oil for its long-standing reputation within the beauty industry as the secret weapon for maintaining luscious hair and providing deep moisture and protection for the skin. However, you likely aren’t as familiar with this precious oil’s fascinating history and countless additional applications. Along with being an effective humectant for scalp and hair, castor oil has been utilized throughout history in everything from cosmetics to leather tanning. Interestingly enough, castor oil has in recent years even been considered as a desirable substitute for petroleum resources used in the fuel production industry!

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Posted by Hailey

Bronzing Facial Serum with Sea Buckthorn Oil

This nourishing facial serum is a very special one in my recipe book. Made with four of my favorite skin care oils, this blend is deeply hydrating and yields a lovely bronzing hue that can be tailored to many skin tones. The star of this recipe is sea buckthorn oil, which in my opinion, is an underutilized oil that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. While most skin care oils are pressed from the seeds of a given plant, sea buckthorn oil is pressed from the seeds and berries which yields a vibrant golden hue and contains abundant antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Sea buckthorn oil also contains linoleic acid which has been shown to support the skin’s lipid barrier,  helping to reduce overall moisture loss. For all of these reasons, it remains high on my list of favorite skin care ingredients.

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Posted by Jessicka

Tea Blending & Ceremony

Sometimes I formulate my morning tea blend the night before, placing my tea-set on my desk so I’m ready to sip and write first thing. Other days, I blend in the predawn darkness as water boils, fingers caressing rough pu’erh 普爾, soft chrysanthemum, fragrant tulsi

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Shampoo Powder Recipe with Shikakai




One of the many perks of working at Mountain Rose Herbs is that I am always being introduced to new ingredients. As a person who loves making sustainable and cost-effective DIY recipes, I was intrigued when I began learning about organic soap pod powder. At first glance, I thought this was a powdered form of deseeded soap nuts, from which I make my semi-famous liquid laundry soap. But upon a closer look, I realized it was an entirely different plant!

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Posted by Jessicka

DIY Moisturizing Skin Serum

Skincare is all about balance. This is the basis of each natural skin care class that I teach. We should never be in battle with our skin, but rather, aim to help it maintain the balance it seeks. The cosmetics industry tells us the opposite. It tells us to use this cream for "anti-aging" or that treatment to "fight acne". They also push us into using harsh, drying soaps for our skin, especially oily skin. But did you know that oily skin is most commonly the skin’s natural defense to being too dry skin? In other words, the cleansers used to get rid of oil are actually perpetuating the problem.  
 

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Posted by Jessicka

Guide to Seaweed: How to Choose Which Seaweed is Best

Seaweeds are one of the best foods to keep stocked in your pantry. Not only are they incredibly shelf-stable, but they add complex flavors to many kinds of meals, including soups, savory breakfasts, and stir-fries. Their nutrient density, however, is really where they shine. Seaweed is packed with necessary vitamins and minerals. In fact, they contain almost all of the essential amino acids, minerals, and trace elements the human body needs.

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Posted by Jessicka

Seaweed Bouillon Recipe

During a video shoot in Portland, Maine, I had the opportunity to explore the world of wild-harvested organic seaweed. The pristine coastline and sustainable harvesting practices showcased by local foragers deeply impressed me. Witnessing the care and respect given to these marine plants inspired me to incorporate more seaweed into my cooking. The versatility and rich umami flavor of seaweed made it an exciting ingredient to experiment with in various recipes.

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Posted by Thomas

Glycerites: How to Use Vegetable Glycerine to Extract Herbal Constituents

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.

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Posted by Heidi

3 Superfood Smoothie Recipes Powered by Plants

As I move and shake my way out of cool-weather hibernation (and try to shed some extra winter insulation), smoothies become the perfect breakfast and/or lunch for me. These nutritious drinks keep me feeling light, but still nourished and focused, and I love discovering new ingredients to add to my favorite blended recipes.

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Posted by Jessicka

Whole Herb vs. Standardized Herbal Supplements: Which is Right for You?


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! 

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Posted by Heidi

Saffron Golden Milk Latte Recipe (Vegan)




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.

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Posted by Thomas

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Benefits & History of Castor Oil + Salve Recipe

Elevate your skin and hair care routines with castor oil! Learn about the history of this special oil and try your hand at making a castor oil salve recipe.
WRITTEN BY Hailey

September 6, 2024

Bronzing Facial Serum with Sea Buckthorn Oil

"Glow up" with this DIY bronzing facial oil. You can tailor the tone to balance your skin or use it as an evening hydration treatment.
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

September 1, 2024

Tea Blending & Ceremony

Explore the art of tea blending and ceremony. Our dear friend Jiling Lin shares some of her favorite ways to mindfully blend and brew tea using traditional ingredients and vessels.
WRITTEN BY Jiling Lin- Guest Writer

August 29, 2024

Shampoo Powder Recipe with Shikakai

Learn how to make a shampoo powder recipe for a sustainable, inexpensive alternative to liquid shampoos.
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

August 14, 2024

DIY Moisturizing Skin Serum

Natural skin care is all about balance and hydration. Learn how to make your own moisturizing skin serum for soft and radiant skin.
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

August 1, 2024

Guide to Seaweed: How to Choose Which Seaweed is Best

Learning more about seaweed can help you choose the ones that best fit your nutritional goals and flavor palate.
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

July 31, 2024

Seaweed Bouillon Recipe

The versatility and rich umami flavor of seaweed make it an exciting ingredient to have in your pantry. This easy shelf-stable seaweed bouillon recipe brings a nutritional boost to mealtime.
WRITTEN BY Thomas

July 19, 2024

Glycerites: How to Use Vegetable Glycerine to Extract Herbal Constituents

Glycerites are an effective, delicious alternative to alcohol-based tinctures. Learn about organic glycerol and get an easy recipe for glycerites.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

June 20, 2024

3 Superfood Smoothie Recipes Powered by Plants

These three smoothie recipes will help you fit nutritious greens, berries, and mushrooms into your diet for a tasty snack or meal that's great on the go!
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

June 12, 2024

Whole Herb vs. Standardized Herbal Supplements: Which is Right for You?

We are often asked about the differences between whole herbs and standardized herbal products. Let’s break down the differences so you can make the best decisions for your wellness goals.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

June 7, 2024

Saffron Golden Milk Latte Recipe (Vegan)

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.
WRITTEN BY Thomas

June 5, 2024