About Us

Below you will learn a little more about Moonrise Herbs.  You'll find our mission statement, philosophy, store policies, and our history.  Also, find out more about our staff! If you want to come visit us, here are directions to our store in downtown Arcata, California!

Store Policies

Moonrise Herbs Quality Guarantee
We guarantee the quality of every item that we sell and will never knowingly carry inferior products. If you should purchase a defective item from Moonrise Herbs, please return it to us with a store receipt so that we can correct the problem to your satisfaction with a replacement, store credit or refund.

Layaway Policy
Merchandise may be placed on layaway with a deposit of 20% of the merchandise price. The balance is due in full within two months of the original deposit. You may pay off the balance in a series of payments over the two months of original deposit. Deposits and payments are not refundable should you change your mind.

Special Order Policy
We accept special orders with pleasure. If we do not stock an item you are looking for, we can often special order it from one of our regular suppliers. We ask for a deposit toward the special order, and we will call you as soon as it arrives in the store. Special-ordered merchandise can take from one to four weeks to arrive, depending on the supplier. If we are not sure if our suppliers carry the item in question, we will do the research involved to see if we can get it, and let you know. If we cannot get the item for you, we will recommend another resource.

Return Policy
Store credit given for returns with receipts only. No cash refunds.

Philosophy

Moonrise Herbs is proud to supply over 400 beautifully vibrant, bulk herbs and tea blends of the highest quality .  Whenever possible,our bulk herbs and teas are organically grown, locally grown or ethically wildcrafted. We buy from small companies to assure great quality, vibrancy, color and scent. We also love to create several tea blends ourselves. 

Questions we ask ourselves when considering new products:

How does it feel to us?

Does the company have a philosophy that feels good?

What is the cost? To us? To the customer?

Where is the company located geographically?

What does the packaging look like? Is is over packaged? Is it tasteful or gaudy?

Do they use recycled material when possible?

Is it a unique product? Does any store in town carry the same product?

If a supplement, does it have supporting literature?

What is the quality of the product? How well is it made? Are ingredients organic?

Is it fair trade?

Is it a small family owned company or a huge corporation or subsidiary?

How easy is it to contact the company for questions?

 

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Moonrise Herbs exists to inspire our global community. Our distinctive tools and resources promote holistic self care, personal healing and spiritual growth through all phases of life.

Our History

Moonrise Herbs – The History

by Irene Lewis, Herbalist & Proprietor

 

Sisters Sarah and Lisa Hoyt established Moonrise Herbs in 1985. Their vision was to be a resource for the highest quality herbs, natural healing products and information on natural medicine. Lisa had been going to the California School for Herbal Studies when Sarah’s daughter Ciel contracted a nasty case of impetigo. Sarah had tried the doctor’s recommendations of antibiotics and an ointment but was not finding them to be effective. At her wits' end, Sarah asked for Lisa’s help. Lisa suggested a poultice of Usnea and Clay to be applied topically several times a day as well as some herbal teas for Ciel to drink. Ciel’s impetigo resolved itself within a week’s time and Sarah was sold on healing with herbs. Although when Sarah went to try and purchase herbs she found it very difficult, our community was in desperate need of an herb store.

 So, with little money but a lot of dedication, Sarah and Lisa created Moonrise Herbs. At first, Moonrise Herbs existed in a tiny Victorian House on a side street in Arcata, California. The house was divided in two; half was rented out to massage practitioners and herbal consultants and the other half, which included the kitchen, became the work space where herbal concoctions like salves and oils were made as well as the humble retail space that sold a selection of bulk herbs, inspirational books, music and the locally made herbal products.

 

Soon after the inception of Moonrise Herbs, Lisa left to pursue an education for the career she currently holds, a holistic physician’s assistant. Sarah staffed the store with volunteers who were willing to work for a dollar an hour in store trade. She was truly inspired by the wonderful support and interest our community had for Moonrise Herbs. 
It was very sweet and beautiful, and many people came just to sit and breathe in the serene space. 

 

In 1988, Moonrise Herbs' current logo was create by Joanne Rand, a friend of Sarah’s, a locally known singer and songwriter. The New Moon (signifying the birth of beginnings and ideas) and the plant known as Self-heal (Self Empowerment ) are now seen on t-shirts and sweatshirts all over the world.

As time passed, the store grew in popularity and demand, and Moonrise Herbs outgrew the tiny Victorian house with its sweet little garden. It was a difficult choice to make, but in the store’s best interest, Moonrise Herbs moved in 1996 onto the Plaza in Arcata. Because of its central location, the storefront on the plaza has allowed us to reach out to many more people and practitioners. And thanks to the new location’s size, instructors have been able to utilize our space for classes on herbs, astrology, psychic awareness and other healing modalities.
 
Irene Lewis entered into Moonrise Herbs as a vendor in 1990. She produced a product line called “Irene’s Dream Simply Herbal.” Moonrise Herbs was very supportive to her and really was inspirational in the growth of her business. At that time Irene lived in the mountains an hour from town. In 1998, she moved closer to Arcata and was longing for more social interactions. Irene was hired by Sarah and worked on the sales floor giving herbal consultations 2 days a week, she also continued running Irene’s Dream, and taught herbal classes. While working at Moonrise Herbs, Irene became increasingly aware of how closely people held Moonrise Herbs to their hearts. The store was like a dear friend, inspiring many, and had become a retreat for several whom entered the store just simply to breathe. Irene also came to realize that Moonrise Herbs was and is highly respected by physicians in our area who regularly send in their patients who are seeking herbal knowledge.


In 2003, after running the store for 18 years, Sarah was ready for a new phase in her life. After 15 years of manufacturing and selling herbal lotions, salves and soaps, Irene too was ready for a new phase in her life. Sarah and Irene started discussing how Irene would purchase the store. In August of 2004  Irene took on the daily management of Moonrise Herbs. Escrow closed in October of that year and Irene officially became the new owner.
Thankfully the essence of Moonrise Herbs was kept alive and well. We still carry over 400 organically grown bulk herbs and herbal teas, exquisite pure organic essential oils, the highest quality supplements, herbal reference books, tarot decks as well as crystals and fair trade gifts. Irene also enacted some fabulous additions. You can now purchase organic pure essential oils by the drop at our Scent Your Soul service window to enhance any salve or oil, or make your own personal blend. We had also upgraded our kitchen and we could offer a delicious all-organic soup and salad bar. We created homemade soups and featured locally grown or produced spring greens, mushrooms, olives, tofu, bread and dressings. The greens in our salad were seasonally decorated with edible flowers, creating a vibrant and colorful glow that was a feast for the eyes, body and soul. During the economic recession we had to let go of our kitchen but, the salad bar was so well loved that to this day (2019) we still hear of the found memories our customers have. Today we are expanding our wholesale bulk herbal tea orders as well as our website. Keeping with the times we now email a link to our newsletter and you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
 
May this beautiful wheel keep spinning, always facing towards the light, as we grow, shift and change, may we never lose sight, of the essence of the beginning and the reason we delight.

 

Blessed Be!