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Rooted Apothecary
Rooted Apothecary is your guide to handmade remedies, infused oils, salves, and herbal recipes using plants grown and foraged with care. Explore natural wellness, DIY skincare, and old-world wisdom—one root at a time.


The Thing About Doing Something Anyway
I don't start at best. I start at good — and build from there. Here's the real process behind every RNR product, and why "failure" isn't a word I use much anymore.
Crystal Wubbels
23 hours ago4 min read


The Leaves You've Been Throwing Away — Dandelion Leaves From Yard to Table (and Bath)
I made my husband eat a raw dandelion leaf salad. The look on his face ended that experiment fast. Here's what I've learned since — and why I haven't given up on these leaves.
Crystal Wubbels
May 76 min read


Every Husband's Nightmare: Dandelions (Except They're Actually Incredibly Useful)
Three years of making dandelion salve from my own untreated yard. My friend stopped taking daily Tylenol. My husband stopped mowing the front lawn. Here is everything I know about the weed you have been killing — the flower, the leaves, and the root. Root Knowledge Series on rootednred.com.
Crystal Wubbels
Apr 198 min read


Licorice Root and I Had Words
Five failed batches, four recipes, and one friend worth figuring it out for. The real story of making a licorice root salve from scratch — and what finally worked.
Crystal Wubbels
Apr 123 min read


What Is Cold Process Soap? The Pros, Cons, and Why I Sometimes Still Make It
Cold process soap gets all the hype in the handmade soap world — and honestly, it deserves some of it. But it's not the only method, and it's not always the right one. Here's a real look at what CP soap actually is, where it shines, where it falls short, and why I still reach for it in specific situations.
Crystal Wubbels
Mar 216 min read


How Long Does Homemade Soap Last? (Shelf Life, Storage, and When to Toss It)
How long does homemade soap last? Most handmade cold process and hot process bars last one to two years — here's what actually affects shelf life and how to store yours so it lasts.
Crystal Wubbels
Mar 166 min read


Why Does Handmade Soap Feel Slimy When Wet? (It's Not What You Think)
That slippery feeling from handmade soap isn't residue — it's glycerin doing exactly what it's supposed to do. Here's the real science behind it.
Crystal Wubbels
Mar 102 min read


The Licorice Root Salve Experiment: What Went Wrong (and What I Learned)
Licorice root seemed perfect for salve—until it wasn’t. A behind-the-scenes look at anhydrous formulas, chemistry, and hard-won clarity.
Crystal Wubbels
Feb 93 min read


Understanding the Rooted N Red Philosophy
Purpose, intention, and expectations guide every Rooted N Red recipe. Learn how research, transparency, and thoughtful ingredients shape real skincare.
Crystal Wubbels
Jan 125 min read


When to Start Prepping Herb Beds for Winter: A Comprehensive Guide
Preparing Your Herb Garden for the Cold Months In Nebraska, the first frost typically arrives between mid-October and early November. This is your cue to begin preparing perennial herbs like rosemary and lavender for the cold months ahead. Once temperatures dip below 40°F at night, it's time to trim, tidy, and preserve what's left of the harvest. Both rosemary and lavender thrive in warmth and sunshine but dislike soggy roots and frigid air. In raised beds, a little extra fal
Crystal Wubbels
Nov 11, 20254 min read


Is Lye in Soap Bad? The Truth About Real & Handmade Soap
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally used or believe will add value to your creative projects. There’s one ingredient that always sparks debate when people first learn about handmade soap : lye . It sounds scary — like something out of a high school chemistry lab. But here’s the secret soapmakers have known for centuries:
Crystal Wubbels
Oct 20, 20255 min read


Healing from the Earth: 5 Must-Have Herbal Salves for Your Home Apothecary
5 Herbal Salves and Their Uses: Dandelion, Cayenne, Black Walnut, Comfrey, and Lavender.
Crystal Wubbels
Jun 7, 20254 min read


From Garden to Product: A Journey into Herbal Infusions for Soaps and Salves
From Garden to Product: A Journey into Herbal Infusions for Soaps and Salves
Crystal Wubbels
Apr 1, 20243 min read


Unveiling the Roots of Rooted N Red Soaps and Salves
The story behind the brand and why it's more than just another soap on the shelf.
Crystal Carlson-Wubbels
Jan 2, 20243 min read


Medicinal Marvels of Mint Leaves: What This Garden Takeover Is Actually Good For
Mint took over my Nebraska garden and I let it. Here's what I actually use it for — tea, sunburn baths, tinctures, and yes, mojitos — and the science behind why it works.
Crystal Wubbels
Oct 3, 20234 min read


Unlocking the Secrets of Tarragon: The Herb That Won't Commit and Why I Keep Planting It Anyway
French tarragon is fussy, frost-sensitive, and absolutely worth it. Here's why it goes sparse in year two, what actually helps (heavy mulch, south bed), and how it ends up in my Garden Glow cold process soap every fall.
Crystal Carlson-Wubbels
Sep 26, 20234 min read


Creating Safe and Informed Choices: A Guide to Testing and Researching Your New Rooted N Red Product
Creating Safe and Informed Choices: A Guide to Testing and Researching Your New Rooted N Red Product
Crystal Carlson-Wubbels
Sep 19, 20233 min read


Embracing the Radiant Allure: Unveiling the Uses and Benefits of Goldenrod
Embracing the Radiant Allure: Unveiling the Uses and Benefits of Goldenrod
Crystal Carlson-Wubbels
Sep 6, 20233 min read


Embracing Rosemary: A Journey into Its Uses, Benefits, and Botanical Wonders
Embracing Rosemary: A Journey into Its Uses, Benefits, and Botanical Wonders
Crystal Carlson-Wubbels
Aug 22, 20233 min read


Unveiling the Natural Wonders of Lavender: The Power of Lavender Salve
Unveiling the Natural Wonders of Lavender: The Power of Lavender Salve
Crystal Carlson-Wubbels
Aug 16, 20233 min read
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