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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.
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Hi Katie!
I started buying MRH because of your recommendation and am a big fan. I have two questions for you:
(1) I haven’t been able to get a straight answer from MRH about something, and I’m hoping you can help. I understand companies can label products as 100% pure essential oils if the oils are 100% pure … even if there’s something else in the bottle. (this was mentioned during a DoTerra sales pitch that I barely got out of). So, curious, I emailed MRH. They were very responsive but just kept saying that their oils are 100% pure, not answering my question of whether there was anything in the bottle in addition to the 100% pure oil. Does that make sense? I realized you’ve researched them thoroughly – do you know whether they’ve answered this question elsewhere?
(2) I understand they failed the third party testing done on their peppermint oil by usingeossafely.com. The write up noted that “[MRH] failed due to their purchasing a lesser-quality Peppermint, as their usual stock was out, and they didn’t want to hang the “out of stock” sign up.” Do you know if they still do this (switching to a lower quality vendor when out of stock)?
Thanks again for suggesting them – I’m glad I found them and really enjoy their accessories to!
Best regards,
Claire
I LOVE MRH!!! I have been dealing with an asthma attack and pneumonia for two weeks now. I am using ravensara, peppermint, and copiaba essential oils as a chest rub and to diffuse. Oh the expectorant effects are AMAZING!!! The aromatherapy is AWESOME and so relaxing too. I will alway order my many other oils and supplies from MRH. The quality, purity, history of business, and the prices are truly wonderful.
What do you think of their essential oils?
I like them and use them!
I always use MRH and have been for years. I made the mistake once or twice when items have been out of stock of ordering from another company and what a difference. The herbs I ordered I could tell were not of the high quality and appeared to be old. The only item that I order in bulk is Elderberries for our Elderberry Syrup all the rest the 4 or 8 oz suits the two of us fine. I don’t think that they are too expensive but as with everywhere its the shipping that gets you in the pocketbook.
I’m wondering why more of you ladies don’t grow your own herbs. Many of them are perennials and they come up every year. Annuals often reseed and all you have to do is transplant where you want them in the spring. If you have too many new plants, give them to friends in the spring.
I’ve always ordered from MRH, for years now! My daughter lives in Eugene where they are based,.So I can place an order before I visit her, and pick it up myself while there. So no shipping~ They are a fabulous company! !
I agree that MRH has an awesome selection and great quality & prices… My one & only issue with them is the limited shipping options. I’m in Canada but do A LOT of online shopping and enivitably pay shipping fees… But the shipping costs at MRH to Canada are so high – it unfortunately makes them an unaffordable option. It would be wonderful if more affordable shipping through USPS was offered
Can you give tips on storage for these items and also how you organize your pantry? I find my pantry a mess with boxes, jars, containers, and bags. I am struggling to get an organized pantry I can use easily….
Thanks so much.
I plan to write more about this soon….
Christie, I’ve found that if you keep your herbs in their bags you can stack them neatly in plastic creates turned on their sides. I got my crates at Wal-Mart for cheap. They look like the old time milk crates. I imagine any plastic crate would work though. You can get several 1 pound bags in them and they stay upright. For things I keep in Mason jars, I bought some of those cabinet organizing shelves, also at Wal-Mart or Lowe’s, and use those to maximize space. Good luck! And Katie, definitely looking forward to your article!
I love MRH. Since they are in my backyard, I order on line and just pick up my order the next business day. (I call first to make sure it’s been pulled.) Excellent service face to face too.
I LOVE MRH!!!! I’m so glad you have promoted them as the great company they are!
I actually live in Eugene, OR where they are based, and can pick up at their storefront. The people there are THE BEST! I have no affiliation to them but they know me so well as I seem to be there almost weekly. Have had other expenses recently so it has been almost a month since I ordered…..yikes! Withdrawal!!!
They are the best group of people I have ever dealt with: professional, friendly, helpful, knowledgable, and always positive. I love going there, and it smells simply wonderful!
Their products are all top notch, as mentioned here; wildcrafted, sustainable, organic, fair trade and some of the best quality around.
I hate when they are out of stock on something I need right away as I have to go elsewhere, and don’t like to.
Getting the bulk discounts is great, too.
MMMMM the smell must be great!