I don’t know about you, but I am ready for all things spring!  Here in Oregon, we are just coming out of several months of rain and overcast skies, and as the spring buds and blooms begin to emerge, I dive headfirst into the season. (Even though many of us Oregonians know this as “False Spring” because we get a few wintery surprises before real spring arrives.)  Yet, I still move forward with my spring cleaning and crafting season. 

Our family farm, nestled in the northwoods of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, is a haven for medicinal plants. We have been stewards of this land for two and a half decades, and it is a joy to continue learning the ecosystems, seasons, and rhythms of life here. The farm is diverse, and we use organic, regenerative, and authentic agricultural techniques to tend fields and hoop houses of produce, herbs, perennials, shiitake mushrooms, pasture-raised pork and poultry, and grass-fed beef. Over the years, we have observed improvements in our soil and increasing biodiversity, both of which have invited wild, health-supporting weeds to flourish.

Arnica montana is an incredible plant called upon in our most common times of need. Specifically, arnica flowers are used topically for bumps, bruises, and muscle soreness. In other words, for basic discomforts of the human experience. It’s so effective, however, that it has made its way onto United Plant Savers’ At-Risk List.  

As with all of the botanicals we carry, we are always seeking the most sustainable ways to source herbs to ensure we are engaging in a practice that is beneficial to our farm partners, our customers, and the environment.  Luckily, we know some incredible farmers, and after many conversations and a years-long commitment of partnership, we were able to commission a plot of this specialty plant to be grown on a farm in Spain.

For those just beginning their herbal journey, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are so many kinds of herbalism to practice, niches to explore, and teachers to learn from. In my herbal journey, getting hands-on experience with herbs was THE most important part of it all. I could read about herbs all day long, but until I smelled, tasted, and felt the effects of the herbs, the information just didn't "stick" as well. That's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about sharing the basics of crafting herbal preparations.

These pickle-themed recipes started out as an April Fool's joke, but quickly turned into a reality when I realized how many people love ALL things pickles.  Even body care! Whether you are a pickle connoisseur, or are looking for a fun (or gag) gift for the pickle lovers in your life, these simple recipes are quick and easy to craft and are a whole lot of fun to share. 

The threads of the world are fraying. Each day, we lose species, language, soil, and culture. In just a handful of generations, we have been sold the narrative of radical independence: Be the army of one. Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. Strive for the picket fence and the giant bank account. The philosophy and practice of extractive capitalism have created a world of loneliness and division.

But how do we even begin to imagine and understand the potential for solutions when the problems are so vast?

If you are a person who finds traditional face soap to be too drying, you just may fall in love with cream cleansers! Most conventional face cleaners strip the skin of natural oils (called sebum), which can result in unbalanced skin. This can cause a host of problems, including breakouts, redness, itchiness, and ironically oily skin! What I love about cream cleansers is that they help to remove dirt and excess oil, but in a gentle and restorative way. 

At Mountain Rose Herbs, we believe business should be a force for good. That’s why we’re proud to be a pilot company for the Purpose Pledge, an initiative uniting values-driven businesses in fairness, accountability, and sustainability.

Strength, Community, and Hope in a Changing Climate

As the world around us shifts, many of us are feeling a deeper awareness of our connection to nature. While change can bring uncertainty, it also sparks innovation, resilience, and a renewed commitment to caring for the planet and each other. The challenges we face today are real, but so is our ability to adapt, support one another, and create a thriving future.

A few years ago, my husband and I spent some time in Western Europe and stayed in the home of a local amateur botanist. On one of our many treks through the countryside, she pointed to a lovely little flowering plant with spotted leaves and called it lungwort. Being from the mountains of Western Oregon, I had a “Wait, what?!” moment. Lungwort in my part of the world is a lichen that grows in the canopy of old growth forests. Pulmonaria officinalis is the lungwort I met in Europe, and Lobaria oregana is the lungwort I grew up with—two dramatically different botanicals that share the same common name.

 
When Mountain Rose Herbs launched its organic Thai Tea, I knew I had to craft something new and special with it. When I visited Thailand many moons ago, I enjoyed a lot of Thai iced tea, and it was very different from the kind served here in the US. It didn’t have the same added spices (or food coloring)and I have to admit, I missed the added spices, but not the coloring. When I saw the ingredients in the new Mountain Rose Herbs tea, I knew I was going to have to craft something really special with it.