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Save hundreds a year by making your own beauty products, cleaning products and spice blends…
That is what I set out to do years ago when I was on a super-tight budget and just starting to raise my family. I realized that the easiest way to save money on all of these products and avoid the harmful chemicals I didn’t want around my kids was to make them myself.
For years, I shopped at one online shop that carried many of the products I needed. Unfortunately, after receiving emails from several readers expressing concerns about their ethics and projects they support, I personally no longer shop at or recommend this shop. Specifically, readers mentioned issues with shipping and customer service, as well as ethical concerns with some of the projects and policies the company chose to support.
I encourage all readers to do due diligence and research all options before choosing where to purchase products. While I’m not trying to discourage anyone else from shopping at MRH, I can no longer do so in good conscience and have also removed links for this reason. I’m sharing below where I personally shop now instead of MRH and quick links to my most purchased products.
Alternatives to Mountain Rose Herbs
I researched meticulously to find ingredients and supplies that met my criteria:
- Organic
- Wild-crafted or ethically sourced
- Don’t cost a fortune
I now order many of these products online from Amazon. As a bonus, products now arrive much faster as with MRH would often take over a week to get my order. Additionally, many of these are often offered at a discount and are much less expensive by ordering in one pound quantities.
These are the bulk ingredients I stock up on:
- Essential Oils
- Shea Butter
- Cocoa Butter
- Beeswax
- Castor Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Sesame Oil
- Emulsifying Wax
- Bentonite Clay
- Redmond Clay
- Kaolin Clay
- Arrowroot
- Baking Soda
- Witch Hazel
- Aloe Vera
- Arrowroot powder
For homemade spices, I also order these by the pound:
- basil
- oregano
- paprika
- chili powder
- turmeric
- black pepper
- chamomile flowers
- rooibos tea
- nettle leaf
- alfalfa
- peppermint
And usually order several pounds of each of these:
- cumin
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- chia seeds
- elderberries (for elderberry syrup in winter)
Mountain Rose Herbs: Bottom Line
I ordered from MRH for years and liked many of their products. I do believe they have a commitment to high quality sourcing and share a desire to protect the environment and grow sustainably. That said, after several readers brought issues to my attention, I can no longer in good conscience link to them or recommend buying from them, though I also am not trying to discourage anyone else from doing so. At the end of the day, the Wellness Mama community and readers are my top priority in writing on this site, and many of you made it very clear that you have serious concerns with this company at this time.
As always, I encourage you to do your own research and support companies whose values you share and whose products you consider high quality.
How to Make a Soy Sauce Alternative
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I haven’t checked for a while, an can’t do it now either, as my computer is really playing up – so I might have out of date news – but I think they don’t post to Australia – where I am – such a shame as they look like the best!
They are my favorite! I love their products and service. Their website and catalogue are just lovely to look at as well. I could spend so much money buying stuff from them if I was able to. I always have to restrain myself when I order.
I love mountain rose herbs! I don’t buy their stuff in large quantities but I still find it’s a good value.
Thanks for this Kaite, I get SO overwhelmed when it comes time to decide WHAT to order from WHOM. I have ordered a couple times from MRH and do love them. I also have an account with Thrive and they offer spices under their name brand. Ugh, so much to sort out. And then there are storage issues. Where do you keep all your bulk orders??? I love to save money, but sometimes I wonder if I spend more trying to save :/ Keep the tips coming as it helps me get a grip on it all!
Tess, it is overwhelming! I completely agree! I’ve looked all over. I haven’t joined Thrive because of conflicting reviews about being able to cancel. But I have tried other well known herbal sites and Amazon, and still find MRH to be the best. After having my order arrive, I knew the quality was there, and I decided that was enough to keep me shopping there. As for storage, I keep all my stuff in my walk in pantry. I have an entire 2 shelf area for herbs and tinctures. My husband even built extra shelves, lol.
Glad I’m not alone. I’ll keep plugging along 🙂
I keep my bulk spices from Azure Standard in big Mason jars and repurposed jars from whatever that Is cleaned out. I made them nice with Chalk labels from Amazon. I have one small cabinet with two shells. One has a riser for the small things, plus I have a spice rack in the counter for my frequently used items. Things I use more often and my own mixes are in smaller jars. Bulk /extra is in bigger.
I’ve been ordering from them for years. I really do like their selection and prices. This family orders a lot of things together. I always put out the call before ordering so we can get better deals. I’ve never thought of comparing the cooking herbs and spices with what I pay on Azure Standard. I get great deals there, no shipping since we have a monthly drop point here, and they are a company to trust too!
I prefer to order my herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs verses some chain stores that have organic herbs. I get larger quantities and know it’s great quality.
I am always ordering numerous items from Mountain Rose Herbs and am always recommending them to friends.My friends are always asking for places to get their essential oils, I tell the MRH are the cheapest price I can find yet great quality and herbs are exceptional.
I love vibrant blue oils but they are very expensive. Any one know why? Am I missing something?
Is cummin & tumaric the same.? If not, why & which one is better ?
No, they are different spices. One is not better than the other, they taste different and are used in different recipes…
I found a wonderful company up in Boston that sells a bunch of products used in soap and cosmetic making with a ton of low cost oils, butters and certain culinary items. They carry organic and non organic versions of most which are all clearly labeled. They come with full production info including chemical analysis when appropriate. The prices aren’t always the cheapest I can find for high quality items but sometimes they’re incredible. The company is jedwards but you can also find them on bulknaturaloils. Shipping is a lot unless you order a ton and they have limited selections but if you make a lot of soap, this place is great
I love MRH! I buy soap nuts from them too.
I just ordered my first bulk order from MRH this month. I’ve never been happier with a company and it’s products! The service is impeccable, and the quality can not be beat! For everything I got, it was well worth what I paid. I actually made a list and put everything in my cart at MRH and the exact same on Amazon. Sure, the shipping was faster from Amazon as a Prime member, but the total price was more! Also, I felt the quality seemed higher with MRH. MRH has a customer for life out of me. Not only do I trust you, Katie, with your recommendations, but MRH was in 2 issues in a row of one of my favorite magazines (Mother Earth Living) as a most trusted company. (Wellness Mama had a featured recipe too! ) I recommend MRH to everyone!