Summer Recipe Sale: 25% off Natural Repellent Spray!
We’re so happy to announce our first summer sale recipe of 2015! Crafting your own insect repellent spray at home is easy and economical. This mixture is perfect for making your campsites and canoe trips more pleasant this summer. These oils would also make a great gift for your outdoorsy friends who’ve been searching for a natural alternative!
Hard Day’s Work Tea Blend RecipeÊwith Elderberry Extract
From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
Happy Father’s Day! While there are so many different kinds of dads out there, this tea recipe came to me while I was thinking of my own dad and grandfathers. Both my grandfathers, as well as my dad, have all passed on. My childhood, however, was filled with their influence…spending summers in the garden with my grandpa or on the back of my other grandfather’s motorcycle while he carefully rode me around the neighborhood. My dad was definitely of the “measure twice, cut once” school and taught me how to change a flat tire before he taught me to drive.
Make Your Own Wild Adventure Shower Spray
This is part six in our eight part series on aroma sprays. Go to part seven.
While I have stayed in full-service campgrounds, I prefer to camp as far away from civilization as possible. You know, hiking in and hiding out! This means no showers (although dips in lakes, creeks, and streams are awesome), so I always bring a lovely-scented spritz on my adventures. (more…)
Celebration Flowers Sun Tea Recipe with Spearmint
It is definitely ice tea season around here! The temperatures have been climbing, the sun is shining, and while I drink hot tea year round, I also love a tall glass of frosty ice tea. My mother used to make sun tea all summer long in a gallon pickle jar–the same jars we used to store the fresh milk from our cows and goats. The sight of a gallon jar of sun tea brewing on a picnic table fills me with nostalgic memories of hot summers that seemed to last forever!
What Is Opopanax Resin & How Do You Use It?
If you’ve been exploring the world of aromatherapy for a while, either through burnables or essential oils, you may have encountered an unfamiliar but intriguing-sounding ingredient called opopanax. Here at Mountain Rose Herbs, we happen to offer certified organic opopanax in two forms for your fragrance needs, and it’s easier to use (although possibly harder to say!) than you might think.
Natural DIY Toilet Cleaning Bombs
While many of us may be trying to cut synthetic chemicals from our cleaning regime, there are a few areas in the house where it can be tough to feel confident with homemade cleaners. The bathroom is one such room for me. While these toilet bombs may look cute and adorable, they really pack a punch and have become a staple in my household! (more…)
Bitter Sweet Herbal Tea Blend Recipe with Yarrow
This tea has a little zip, a little zing, and a bit of sweet. I love every herb in this recipe and stumbled upon this creation when I wanted something to drink in the morning after a night of festive eating. The Yarrow leaf & flower, Lemon peel, and the Ginger powder have some nice bitters qualities, helping to wake my sluggish appetite or to give my tummy a boost. I can’t seem to get enough Oatstraw and Nettle leaf and I always feel like I’m doing something good for myself when I find a way to include them in my teas. (more…)
Rose and Berry Sun Tea Recipe with Rose Petals and Rosehips
I have a secret to share, a tip, if you will…you do not need to wait until summer to enjoy delicious, nature-made sun tea! In fact, it does not even need to be a hot, sunny day for you to make a tasty jar of herbal tea. You can steep the herbs in fresh water on a counter-top, in a sunny windowsill, or on the front stoop. It may take a little longer to get a good steep if the sun isn’t out, but it will still work just fine. In fact, you could put this tea together in the morning, and let it steep for several hours to be enjoyed in the afternoon or at the end of a busy day… (more…)
Red Powder Sprinkle Recipe
Herbal Sprinkles are one of the most simple and satisfying ways to incorporate more herbs into your cookery. The key to using herbal sprinkles is to take them out of the cupboard and keep them next to where you cook and eat. I have several herbal sprinkle combinations right next to my stove and blender and on the kitchen table. If the herbs are readily accessible you get into the habit of using them every day, pretty soon you wonder how you lived without such a pleasing array of herbal flavors.
Spring Decoction Herbal Tea
It’s time to get moving! Not only am I spending more time outside, but my body systems can also use a little inspiration, as well. I tend to naturally reach for lighter foods as the days get longer and I find it makes me feel better to start with a day or two of rooty infusions as the seasons change. I think of it as tonic for my tummy and beyond!
Growing a Medicinal Herb Garden: How to Start Seeds
Starting herbs from seed can seem a little daunting! While we may be used to starting some summer vegetables in the window sill, the idea of starting yarrow, lavender or arnica plants from seed may seem a little mysterious. It doesn’t have to be. Like other plants, you just need to give them what they need and soon you will have a garden overflowing with all your favorite botanical friends! (more…)
Wild Salad Tea with Dandelion Leaf & More Leafy Herbs
It can be tempting to go to the same tried and true “tea” herbs again and again when creating pots of tea. Organic mints, chamomile, and trusty blends all come to mind. There are some wonderful herbal ingredients, however, that one doesn’t always think of when it comes to crafting a tasty herbal brew. Visions of a freshly harvested, wild, spring salad influenced this tea recipe and it is made up of some wonderful plants for a little nourishment! This tea has a light, leafy flavor. (more…)
Fog-lifter Tea Recipe with Nettle Leaf and Rosemary
We are known for our foggy, drizzly days here in the Pacific Northwest. So much so that many folks don’t know our summers tend to be sunny, dry, and mild for weeks at a time! For now, however, the fog can serve as a metaphor for one’s mental state: clogged, foggy, and settled in a drizzly haze. I created this tea for an afternoon pick-me-up on those days when my focus starts to wane, but it works well as a non-caffienated jumpstart to a groggy morning, too.
Make Your Own Whipped Body Butter
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been a little timid about making a lotion or a cream on my own. While I’m a big fan of facial serums for moisturizing my face and maintaining healthy hair, there is something so luxurious about a fluffy, buttery, moisturizing spread of organic carrier oils and essential oils that I just had to try it! (more…)
Luscious Leaf Herbal Tea Recipe with Lemongrass
Despite what Kermit’s song says, I find green to be one of the easiest inspirations for herbal tea blends. The leaves of so many wonderful plants are packed with flavor, nutrients, and other good-for-you constituents and the combinations are seemingly endless. Lately, I’ve been on a bit of a Lemongrass kick, adding the essential oil to my AromaMist diffuser for a fresh scent, and tossing the organic leaves into my cups of tea. This recipe is as aromatic as it is tasty, so make up a cup and enjoy your “greens”…
Plant Stories: Harvesting Damiana in Mexico
Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a plant native to Mexico and other parts of Latin America that has been a popular medicinal and widely used where it grows wild. In recent years, this herb has gained considerable popularity in the US, Europe, and abroad as a tea, smoking herb, and tincture thanks to its calming and love-inspiring properties.
DIY: Making Herbal Sweet Treats
Who says sweets and treats have to be junk food? I’ve never thought of myself as a great candy maker, but I felt inspired to create some sweet recipes for gifts, and for satisfying those everyday sweet cravings using healthier organic ingredients. (more…)
Mellow & Sweet Herbal Tea Blend with Hops Flowers
I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to get a little weary of winter! The cold, the grey, the drizzle and damp–I’m really quite over all of it. My gardener’s soul is ready to be out with my plants but, alas, it is still quite the mud pit. I’m craving some spring-like inspiration, but I’m stuck inside for a little bit longer. This tea recipe seems just the thing for a day spent drawing out garden plans, making lists, and thumbing through seed catalogs. With its calming herbs and citrusy sweetness, it has me thinking spring while keeping my cabin fever at bay… (more…)
Vanilla Spice Herbal Tea Blend Recipe with Oatstraw
While I drink tea daily for myself, there are times when one needs an impressive tea blend for company. This is a more simplified version of a tea blend I created for gifts and serving to guests at home. The recipe below makes enough for a nice pot of tea to share with cherished friends. It holds up well to a little milk and honey, or a little wedge of fresh lemon is nice as well!
Even though it seems a little fancy, it’s a nice all-purpose tea for health and pleasure…
High Spirits Tea Recipe with Raspberry Leaf
The days are short and grey around here, and while I tend to be a person with plenty of projects to keep me busy through even the dingiest times, that doesn’t mean I’m always in the best of spirits. That’s where the perfect cup of tea can be extremely helpful. This blend is full of delicious flavors and I like a little “nip” of Mood Care extract stirred into the finished cup too (made with Kava Kava, Gotu Kola, Passionflower, Ginger root, and Wild Lettuce) for extra perky pleasures…
January Health Kick Tea with Dandelion Root
From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been indulging. From Thanksgiving all the way through New Year, it’s been treats and toddies and glorious meals with wonderful folks. But, now, it’s time to do a little gastronomical regroup. This tea is made up of some wonderful herbs and roots and has a lot of flavor to help you get back on the health track! I like to make up a quart jar and sip throughout the day for a couple of days to reset my system…
New Year Tea Blend Recipe with White Peony and Cedar Berries
The year is waning and many of us are looking ahead to the year that will be. It is a time of contemplation, celebration, and hopefullness. Maybe you’re working on your resolutions or thinking about what you want to let go of in the coming months? This morning’s tea is a delectable organic treat. White tea is picked early in the season when the buds are still fresh, young and tender, and that makes me think of the new year-all fresh and tender. The cedar berries add a wintry flavor and, for me, a touch of the year that has been… (more…)
Sage Citrus Solstice Tea Recipe
From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
Just like many of you, I have my personal list of favorite herbs – the ones that not only suit my palate, but also seem to be just the ones my body craves. Sage is one of those herbs I absolutely love and I have several Sage plants (or Mother Sage, as I like to call them as I brush by, pull off a leaf, and munch on it like an irresistible snack) growing in my garden. I use it for cooking everything from eggs to popovers! The fact that it stays green year-round means I can use it fresh or take advantage of the dried form for teas.
Introducing…The New Mountain Rose Blog!
You may have noticed a few changes here on our Mountain Rose BlogÛ?maybe you noticed some BIG changes? We’ve been working hard to create a better blog experience for our wonderful readers and followersÑfrom the photos to the readability of the text. Same wonderful recipes and educational articles, but hopefully, you’re finding it much easier to search, navigate, and learn!
DIY: Herbal Infused Wine
Maybe you’ve fantasized about making dandelion wine, but never found the time? Looking for a special beverage to commemorate a special celebration? Perhaps you have gift giving on the mind and want to create something unique and delicious to give and share? This delightfully simple project is the perfect way to go. Herbal infused wines are easy to make, beautiful, and even have healthful propertiesÑdepending on the herbs and combinations you choose to create! (more…)
Cedar & Cinnamon Ceylon Tea
From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
While lolling about on a soggy Sunday is always a treat, there are times when I want caffeine! But, of course, I want the flavors of herbal tea (hopefully something with a little zing) and the goodness of a nice, organic black tea. This recipe is the best of several worlds by combining the smoothness of our organic Ceylon tea with some seasonal herbs and spices. You might as well make this one by the pot because one cup is just not going to be enough…
Rejuvenation Infusion Herbal Tea Blend Recipe with Burdock
We’re still working on the leftovers from Thursday’s big feast and we’ve already jumped into the hustle and bustle of the upcoming season with great abandon. After all, we’re staring headlong into the frosty eyes of December! My belly could use a reprieve from all the tasty treats and maybe more of a boost than can be had from an ordinary cup of tea. This is the perfect time for a stronger infusion or a decoction. While tea is a type of infusion, sometimes it is helpful to steep herbs for longer than the usual 3-5 minutes–especially some of the woodier roots and nutrient-packed plants.
Do All Things Herbal Tea Blend Recipe with Oatstraw
It’s coming! In fact, for many of us, it’s already here.
This week marks the start of some busy, invigorating, stressful, and downright overwhelming days as we plunge headlong into the holiday season. It’s going to take some focus to make sure we take care of ourselves, get plenty of rest and give our bodies the nutrition and support we need to carry us through the coming weeks. For me, oatstraw, red clover, and lavender are musts for a nourishing, calming cup of herbal tea! I call this recipe my “Do All The Things” tea blend; it even has a boost of Lemon Balm extract or tincture for a little extra concentrated feel good!
A Trip to the Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference!
So many opportunities for learning about the plants!
Make Your Own Elderberry Spice Herbal Tea Blend Recipe
Elderberry syrup is delicious and oh-so-good-for-us, but what if you haven’t had time to make up a batch? Maybe you’ve just drizzled your last drizzle and are in need of some elderberry boost right now! There’s something a little decadent about this fruit and spice tea, but there’s also a lot of soothing deliciousness. Why not brew some up and snuggle in for a blustery day? (This recipe makes enough to share and can be made ahead and refrigerated too!)
Winter Care Extract is here!
Our Winter Care Extract is now available!
Hops & Spice Tea Recipe with Orange Peel and Fennel Seeds
This blog was originally from the Sunday Steep series.
We are entering the season of hearty, heavy, rich, and delicious meals! Parties and potlucks abound, as do cozy meals around the hearth at home. I don’t know about you, but that means my digestion could use a boost in helping to make sense of all those delicious treats and homemade goodness. I created this tea recipe for savory sipping either right before or right after a heavy meal. It can be sipped hot or cold and has a nice, savory aroma too!
The fennel and cardamom seeds in this recipe are a wonderful addition for the tummy. If you’re in a pinch and not in the mood to make tea, take 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds and a 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom seeds and chew (you can add a little sugar if you like). These herbs are helpful to keep your tummy happy after eating large meals! (more…)
We Love to Give with EarthShare!
Mountain Rose Herbs is a Business Member of EarthShare Oregon and we have setup a generous 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, Mountain Rose Herbs generates thousands of dollars each year for numerous non-profits in the state of Oregon. Employees also work closely with many of these organizations through the Mountain Rose River Project. Our staff loves to give!
New Ultrasonic Diffuser for Essential Oils!
Our new AromaMist Ultrasonic Diffuser is a must have for the home or office!
Create a tranquil, fragrant environment in any room with this simple-to-use ultrasonic diffuser. The AromaMist diffuser uses half a cup of tap or bottled water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to create a continuous fragrant mist for up to three hours. This nearly silent unit has a built-in shut off for when the water level gets low. This pearl white diffuser also has an optional light setting that glows in blue, pink, or a revolving rainbow of colors.
Berry, Oat, & Spearmint Tea with Acai Berry Powder
From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
As much as I always hope the end of summer will bring on easy relaxing times, it actually seems that my world gets even busier as the leaves start to fall! There is still plenty to do in the garden and the last of the preserving (the figs are just getting ripe and the persimmons look quite promising this year!) Meanwhile, between trips to the pumpkin patch, parties, and the autumn blast of fundraisers and community events, I find that extra boosts of nutrition, antioxidants, and vitamins are definitely in order.
New Chamomile Bitters!
The great folks at Urban Moonshine have added a new formula to their line of Herbal Bitters…
New Mini Vase Grinders!
One of our favorite spice grinders is now available in a new mini size!
How to Make a Cooling Herbal Compress in 3 Easy Steps
A gentle and effective topical application for too much heat or minor bumps can come in the tried-and-true form of an herbal compress. This preparation brings the beneficial properties of herbs and the soothing sensations of a cool damp cloth close to your skin to accelerate the natural healing process. When draped around the skin, the moisture of the tea soaked towel softens the skin and allows the herbal constituents to penetrate deep. (more…)
Fo-Ti Root Tea Blend with Wild Cherry Bark and Cinnamon
There is a bit of myth and storytelling surrounding Fo-Ti Root. It is celebrated in Chinese medicine as a plant native to China (but also grown in Taiwan and Japan) and believed to be a tonic for all sorts of overall health and longevity uses. In fact, Fo-Ti is also commonly known as He Shou Wu which loosely translates to “Mr. Wu’s hair stays blackÛ implying that Fo-Ti root will promote youthfulness. A bit of legend with one’s tea can be fun! (more…)
Ginger Jasmine Green Tea Recipe with Orange Peel
From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
While I love my morning cup of coffee, there are times when I really want to shake it up. Whether I’m craving something a bit less stimulating, or yearning for some different flavor combinations, green teas can be a wonderful choice. One of my favorites is our Jasmine Green Tea. It is relatively mild and reminds me a bit of the tea I drink at Lotus Garden, a vegan Chinese restaurant here in Eugene. For extra zip, I like to balance the floral flavors with a little fruity orange peel and spicy ginger…
Honeybush and Honeyroo Tea Blend with Spearmint
Love for Honeybush & Honeyroo Tea
My love for the red teas has been growing lately. As the temperatures soar and I want to reach for something tasty, sweet, and refreshing, I find Honeybush and Rooibos to be a wonderful choice. Since they are also caffeine free, they make a lovely iced tea for sipping with supper on a hot summer evening- a little wedge of lemon and the fruity sweetness comes through!
What’s the Difference Between English Lavender and Lavandin?
You might have noticed that we carry a variety of lavender products. There are many species of Lavandula out there, and for years we have sold both Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula x intermedia as Lavender Flowers. The differences between these two are very subtle. In general, they can be used interchangeably. However, some do prefer one over the other once you get into the fine complexities.
DIY Herbal Deodorant
We’ve all witnessed the deodorant revolution over the past few years. From chemical-infused sticks to ruin-your-blouse white stuff, finding a healthy and practical alternative can be a challenge. I’ve tried them all and even gone without for many years. (more…)
Field and Flower Tea Blend with Alfalfa Leaf and Cinnamon
Being in tune with the seasons can mean looking to our surroundings for inspiration when it comes to the food on our plates, the activities we do, and even the beverages we drink. As the fields get full and high with grasses, flowers, and nourishing medicinal plants, I feel an urge to create a tea of those fragrant, nutritional offerings.
This tea is packed with vitamins, beta-carotene, and antioxidants, not to mention the delicious flavors of an earthy summer day…
Preserving Biodiversity in Disappearing Rainforests
We are so excited to have a guest post by Brian McFarland of Carbonfund.org featuring the Purus Project in the Amazon! Because we source our organic acai berry powder, catuaba bark, pau d’arco bark, and other products from Brazil, we understand its global ecological importance as a carbon sequestration area for the world.
Calm Spirit Tea Blend Recipe with Nettle Leaf
From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
One of my favorite tea-making strategies is to take a delicious tea blend that I love and add extra goodness to it with organic herbs and berries. It is a great way to get extra nutritive, calming, and health benefits out of a cup of tea. This tea is all about healthy calm while building on the yummy flavors in our organic Peace Tea (like spearmint, lavender and rose). I like to toss in some nettle leaf and schisandra berries. Feel free to substitute other herbs that speak to you when the stressors of life start to wear you down! (more…)
Strawberry Sage Iced Tea Recipe with Strawberry Leaf
From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
My garden is having a banner strawberry year! We’ve been eating everything from strawberry shortcake, tossed salads made with greens, onions and strawberries, and just eating those delicious morsels straight from the strawberry patch! I thought I’d let June’s red harbingers of summer be my guide and inspire the creation of a delicious iced tea. Mix this up by the cup or for a crowd. It has the added bonus of smelling amazing!
Easy Summer Potluck Idea: Herby Onion Dip Recipe
It’s the summer party season! Between barbecues and graduation parties and wedding showers…whew! While I love all the friendly conversation and fun in the sun, figuring out what to bring to potlucks and parties can be a bit of a challenge. I decided this year, I would create one delicious dish, customizable to (more…)
Gardening Tea with Sunflower Petals and Sage Leaf
From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
I’ve been spending as much free time as possible working in the garden! While the weather is still a bit erratic here in the Pacific Northwest, I derive so much pleasure from digging, planting, weeding, and pruning, I just can’t stay inside and now is definitely the time of year to savor every minute I can spend working away in my backyard haven.
Sweet & Spicy Tea Recipe with Licorice Root
From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
As the weather warms, it can be lovely to have a tea recipe with a bit of pep, as well as one that will still taste delicious after traveling along on a hike or a picnic! This one is great for sipping hot, but it also goes well in one of our Tea-to-Go glass infusers. The best part is that it won’t get bitter as it steeps, but instead will get somewhat sweeter! It is also yummy over ice…
Echinacea, Rose Bud, and Rosehip Tea Blend Recipe
This blog post was originally a part of the weekly Sunday Steep series.
Some Sundays are about resting up, recharging, and giving the system a chance to recover. When I’m feeling a little worn down and wanting to ward off any inkling of dis-ease for the coming week, this tea gives me a nice bit of recharge, as well as the yummy herbal flavors I crave…
Many people think of rose buds as a decorative herb, but you can steep them as a tea and/or use within food. Be sure that yours are certified organic! They make a wonderful, sweet, and very aromatic addition to whatever tea blend you create!
