Fermented rice water has a long history of use in Asia as a hair rinse. When we soak or cook rice, we capture the natural inositol from the grain in the water. Inositol is a form of sugar that our bodies naturally produce to provide structure to our cells, and is also found in some foods, including grains and legumes like rice. Inositol-rich rice water, especially when fermented, also carries proteins, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids believed to support a healthy scalp, hair strength, and shine. Want to take it up another notch? Infuse rice water with hair-loving herbs! 

Herbal medicine has a long lineage, and tinctures remain one of its most enduring preparations. On the surface, an herbalist tincture and an Aurelian Spagyric Tincture appear similar, as both are liquid herbal remedies preserved in alcohol and meant for therapeutic use. However, these two approaches diverge profoundly in their underlying philosophy, in the processes by which they are crafted, in the constitution of the final product, and even in the way they are administered. Exploring these distinctions reveals the depth of thought and refinement that separates a conventional herbal extract from the more complex spagyric tincture.

I have mixed feelings about going into the fall this year. While I welcome the return of the Pacific Northwest rains, flannels, hoodies, pumpkin spice, and autumn colors, I also find myself savoring these last days in the garden. So this year, instead of turning my focus to the season ahead, I decided to celebrate my garden’s ongoing bounty and extend the spirit of the season just a little longer. Drawing inspiration from the abundance of fresh herbs still sharing their aromatic and wellness supporting gifts, I created this foaming hand soap recipe to embody the energy of a flourishing herb garden.

Picture this: the evening is winding down after a satisfying meal, and just as your nearly full stomach ponders the sweet-sounding idea of dessert, an ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookie decorated with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream is served before your eyes. Better yet, picture that cookie being about the size of a dinner plate and served straight from the skillet it was baked to golden perfection in. Couldn’t get any better, right? Well, what if I told you that cookie was also bursting with an unexpected, yet nostalgic flavor pairing that will turn your preconceived notions of cookie classics upside down? The elusive cookie behind this mouthwatering mental image is none other than my olive oil and orange chocolate chip cookie.

Heading back into the school season means that we are entering into a new season of needs. Even those of us without children at home feel the subtle shift—altered traffic patterns, busier schedules, and the ripple of energy that comes as our communities gather again for learning. This transition also brings considerations for personal well-being, particularly with the heightened exposure to group settings where our bodies may encounter new stressors (and maybe even some cooties). 

By the time September rolls around, the summer garden and markets have mostly had their say. The jars of dried herbs are stacking up, the freezer is filling up, and my family is back to wearing sweaters in the morning. This is when I start thinking about my herbal pantry and what needs restocking and what can go.  

You may have heard the recent buzz about North America’s only native caffeinated plant, yaupon. Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) is making a resurgence, and it took concerns of tariffs and increased tea and coffee prices to bring this domestic caffeinated plant into the mainstream eye. However, Mountain Rose Herbs’ interest in this plant preceded the tariff-driven trend, and we are delighted to share more information about the relationship we've developed with this plant over the past 7 years. 

Mountain Rose Herbs is proud to partner with the Ocean Blue Project to advance our commitment to protecting waterways from the harmful impacts of trash and microplastics. Recently, we initiated a community cleanup event with our dedicated staff along the Bertelson to Meadowlark Prairie Bike Path, a vital ecological corridor we have formally adopted for ongoing stewardship.

Natural Energy and Adaptogenic Herbs

Are you feeling drained, unable to sleep well, or struggling to maintain consistent energy throughout the day? Modern life often pushes our adrenal glands—the small but mighty glands responsible for our stress response—into overdrive. This leads to fatigue, stress, and a cascade of health challenges. Fortunately, there’s a natural way to support and restore balance: adaptogenic herbs. Adaptogens are nature’s solution to helping the body adapt to stress, regulate energy levels, and support better sleep. In this blog, we’ll dive into what adaptogens are, how they work, and the steps you can take to maintain natural energy and adrenal health.

Under the sweltering sun during the long, lazy days of summer, chances are you’ll find me on my patio, melting away with a good book in one hand and an ice-cold beverage in the other. Sipping a cold, creamy drink while lounging in the shade is something I cherish so much that my fridge always has a few options prepped and ready for whenever that cool-off craving strikes. When I’m not reaching for my go-to iced matcha latte or an herbal tea on the rocks, I’ve lately been whipping up batch after batch of a delightfully creamy, dreamy beverage that is as rich as it is refreshing—horchata!

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.