Herbs for Health and Pleasure

If you use herbs in quantity please be sure to buy organic or choose herbs that are wildcrafted in nonpolluted, unsprayed areas.

Enjoy the following recipes from Mountain Rose Herbs yourself or to share as gifts.

Herbs to Nourish Body and Soul

-1⁄4 cup dried parsley flakes
-1⁄4 cup dried thyme leaves
-2 tablespoons dried tarragon leaves
-2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
-3 teaspoons garlic powder
-1⁄2 teaspoon salt
-1⁄2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Combine 1 tablespoon of the mix with 3/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Blend well. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Serve with assorted fresh vegetables. Makes 1 cup.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

-2-3 whole vanilla beans (approximately 1/2 ounce)
-1 cup brandy, vodka, or bourbon

Split vanilla beans lengthwise with a knife, leaving the seeds inside intact.  Place vanilla beans in a jar, cover with alcohol, and cap tightly.  Agitate the mixture by shaking the jar once per day for approximately 4-6 weeks.  

The mixture will turn a dark brown color, and will become stronger in flavor with time.  You may infuse the vanilla beans for as long as you would like, and can also add new vanilla beans to the jar to make a stronger and more concentrated Vanilla Extract.  

Once that the flavor of the extract has reached the desired strength, strain the vanilla beans out, and bottle the resulting extract.  Amber colored bottles are preferred, but any glass bottles may be used.  To make the bottles even more attractive, you can insert a vanilla bean into each bottle.  

Vanilla extract will last indefinitely, and will become even more pronounced in flavor as it ages.

Making herbal 'teas' and infusions lets you customize your blends, control the quality of your herbs, and save a lot of money over ready made products. Visit these on-site links for videos and detailed information.

How to Brew Tea with Loose Herbs

Watch Herbalist Susun Weed make a simple healthful herbal infusion here.

This spicy recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs will warm you up on a cold day and provide a multitude of health benefits.

Tulsi Chai
- 1/2 cup holy basil leaves
- 2 cups cold water
- 2 heaping teaspoons green tea
- Seed of 1 cardamom pod
- 1/4 inch thick slice of fresh ginger
- One cinnamon stick, broken
- 2 whole cloves
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Milk, to taste

In small saucepan, boil basil and water. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 3 minutes. Stir in tea, spices and honey: bring almost to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and steep 3 minutes.

Pour mixture through fine wire-mesh strainer into warm teapot, discarding solids. Serve with milk. Garnish with skewered crystallized ginger cubes, fresh basil leaves and grated nutmeg. Serves 2.

With all the worry about flu season we are all looking for steps to take to protect ourselves. Elderberry is a proven anti-viral remedy that is full of anti-oxidants so it's good for you too.

You can buy elderberry syrup, but it's easy to make at home. This herbal syrup can be used for colds, flu and coughs. A simple natural home remedy with dried or fresh elder berries.

A note from Val: If you are watching your sugar intake you can substitute some or all of the honey with stevia or xylitol (never give anything with xylitol to a dog!). Taste test to see how much you need. Add a bit more water to your recipe to make up for the lost liquid.

Recipes for Heart and Home

Mist around your home for a nostalgic holiday aroma.

- 3 oz Water
- 1 oz Witch Hazel Extract
- 20 drops organic Cinnamon essential oil
- 15 drops organic Cedarwood essential oil
- 10 drops organic Clove essential oil
- 5 drops organic Ginger essential oil

Add all ingredients to a 4 oz bottle and cap with a mister top. Shake before each use as the contents will naturally separate.

For this and more spicy winter recipes here.

Lover's Delight Massage Oil

This floral, earthen, exotic, and sweet blend which will appeal to women and men alike. And yes, you can rub it into your own muscles too!

-1/2 cup organic Jojoba oil
-20 drops organic Lavender essential oil
-15 drops organic Cedarwood essential oil
-2 drop organic Ylang Ylang essential oil

Drop all essential oils into a glass bottle, add Jojoba oil, and roll bottle between palms to blend oils. Decorate with a ribbon and pretty label if desired. Shake well before each use.

Find this and other love inspired recipes (with photos) here.

Find essential oil recipes for stress and anxiety relief here.

Making your own bath salts is simple with this luxurious bath salt recipe. This bath salt recipe uses many wonderful ingredients available at Mountain Rose Herbs and other fine herb stores. Just thinking about these stress-relieving, skin soothing ingredients is relaxing!

Some hints from Val: Use a wide mouth funnel to pour the mixture into the jar. Substitute a cup or more of magnesium chloride crystals or flakes for the other salts in the recipe. Dead Sea salts are a good source of magnesium chloride.