They say that April showers bring May flowers, but in Oregon, vibrant blooms start peeping out much earlier. March is when many of the state’s earliest wildflowers begin to blossom, with blooms continuing through summer in some parts of the state. While wildflowers are beloved for their beauty, they are also among a large variety of native flora used for crafting everything from healthful tonics to nourishing skin care. Here’s how to enjoy their scent and benefits all year round in Oregon-made products.
Essence of Oregon
For Felicia Howe, founder and owner of Primrose Apothecary, Oregon is the perfect place to be an herbalist. Howe grew up in the state, where her family has farmed for generations, including a dahlia farm in Ontario in the 1920s. After a stint in Los Angeles, she came back to Oregon to grow her own plants. “Being back here helped me get back in touch with the seasons,” Howe says. “It helped me align with nature.”
Since returning to Oregon, Howe has published “Sibyl of the Flora,” a series of books and affirmation cards featuring botanical illustrations drawn using plant inks. She’s also deepened her practice as an herbalist, relying heavily on flowers that thrive in Western Oregon. Her catalog of offerings reads like an encyclopedia of local flora, including native species such as lupine and yarrow as well as the state flower, the Oregon grape.
“I work with a lot of the flowers that you’ll see out in the Columbia Gorge, such as lupine and goldenrod,” she says. Her handcrafted essences not only embody the nature of the plants; they’re also anchored in a sense of place by virtue of where they’re grown. In Howe’s case, that’s her Portland garden, where she grows over 60 types of flowers that she harvests and transforms into essences.
Nature in the Rose City
While there are remedy shops across the state, Portland is where you’ll find the majority. In Northwest Portland, don’t miss Roots & Crowns Apothecary, a queer-owned shop and producer that creates not only skin care, fragrances and elixirs but also candles, room sprays and even a special cocoa blended with Oregon mushrooms supported by adaptogenic herbs.
Across the river, Hedgerow Herb Co. sells both bulk herbs and its own extensive line of natural wellness products. Pick up teas and tinctures that help with everything from restful sleep to allergy relief, or peruse a large selection of products for supporting healthy skin and hair. Hedgerow also offers custom products and consultations with folk herbalist and co-founder Madrone McCarthy.
For natural makeup and skin care, head to Coral Story Beauty in Southeast Portland. This Native-owned beauty haven, founded by Morning Dove Barranger, sells its own line of serums and toners along with a range of other products, many crafted right in Oregon. One such brand is Hillsboro’s Ishq Skincare, which merges knowledge from South Asian ayurvedic, Yunani and Sufi traditions with botanicals sourced from Oregon farms and fair-trade providers to create nontoxic products to nourish skin and hair. The shop also stocks oils, balms, serums and cleansers crafted by Portland’s Live Botanical, which focuses on small-batch production designed to ensure fairness across the supply chain.
Botanicals Across Oregon
You don’t have to go to Portland to experience the restorative and relaxing benefits of Oregon-grown wellness products. You’ll find herbalist shops and apothecaries across the state, each with its own unique offerings and intentions. In Northeastern Oregon, Wild Carrot Herbals has been creating all sorts of botanical goodies for over 25 years, from ultra-hydrating moisturizers to products made just for babies — not to mention soaps and solid shampoo bars that use minimal packaging while delivering maximum pampering. To smell and sample the company’s products, head to its Wild Carrot Mercantile in the heart of downtown Enterprise, where you’ll also find products from other natural skin-care brands along with art and accessories created by Oregon makers.
The Peoples Apothecary in Bend is another must-visit, especially if you’re in the market for medicinal tinctures made from organically grown or ethically wild-crafted ingredients. The apothecary doubles as an event space, with workshops covering topics ranging from herbal astrology to book clubs. In Florence Rose & Crown Apothecary sells its own extensive range of elixirs, tonics, flower essences and tisanes created from locally grown and foraged botanical ingredients.
