As we reflect on the true meaning and impact of “labor”, we’re proud to share that the essential oils we offer come from a variety of ecological sources throughout the world. Each source holds an inspiring story—of hardworking communities, organic agriculture, sustainable agroforestry, economic upliftment, grassroots healthcare, and the preservation of ethnobotanical culture.
We know it’s important to you that each product leaves positive footprints behind on its journey to you. It means the world to us, too. Below are just a few of the stories of our essential oil distillers and sources throughout the world. We hope you’ll enjoy learning a bit more about these communities.
CYPRESS | BHUTAN
We're honored to partner with an ethical distiller, Karma, who pays fair and equitable wages to farmers in the Himalayan mountains and valleys. As part of the price that Karma pays for the plant material, he enters it into a community forest fund. This fund is used by the community for micro loans to the local people. This is on top of the fair prices he pays to the harvesters.
EUCALYPTUS + ROSE GERANIUM | SOUTH AFRICA
At the moment, there are about 33 distilleries in the southern Africa region distilling a variety of cultivated and wild-harvested aromatic plants growing in unique ecosystems not found in other parts of the world. We are currently working with one of the primary organizers and distributors for those distilleries to offer high quality Eucalyptus essential oil. This project is linked directly to poverty alleviation programs established for the dual purpose of caretaking local environments while producing sustainable economic benefits.
Stimulated by a growing global market in herbs and aromatic products, a new essential oil industry is developing in South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and other countries. They utilize the botanical resources and ethnobotanical knowledge available in the region for local economic development and plant-based healthcare. Our Rose Geranium essential oil supports poverty alleviation programs established for the dual purpose of caretaking local environments while producing sustainable economic benefits.
FRANKINCENSE, LAVENDER KASHMIR, PATCHOULI + TULSI (HOLY BASIL) | INDIA
Our selection of essential oils from India are pure, wild-harvested, and ethically sourced. They also play an important role in economic improvement for rural agricultural areas. Many of our Indian oils also represent protection of threatened and endangered species as well as preservation of unique ecosystems. Our ethically harvested Frankincense from tribal forests is an example of long-term botanical sustainability.
Our Indian essential oils also represent the opportunity to continue long traditions of agrarian culture that are increasingly being lost to modernization. Produced in geographically and ecologically diverse regions, our selection ranges from luscious florals from the tropics to high altitude Lavender from the Himalayas, and more.
Many of our Indian aromatic treasures are exotic perfumes with exalted histories: Patchouli being one of the most famous scents from the region. As unique high-value crops, plants used for essential oil production include aromatic grasses, medicinals, exotic flowers, and more. Some of our Indian oils have been used traditionally as classic ingredients of Ayurvedic herbal preparations. Tulsi, or Holy Basil, is one of the more familiar fragrances in Indian clinics and kitchens.
PALO SANTO | ECUADOR
Our Palo Santo essential oil supports the preservation of native lands, and the culture that surrounds the sacred and ceremonial harvest of this sacred tree. Supporting proper harvesting supports the preservation of indigenous lands and consciousness. Our Palo Santo essential oil is ethically wild harvested from naturally fallen trees that have aged for at least three to five years on the ground.
RAVENSARA + YLANG-YLANG | MADAGASCAR
Our inspiring distiller plants 50,000+ trees each year, and operates distilleries right in the fields to reduce carbon emissions. They prioritize equitable exchange to positively impact the communities they work with. The school they built in Loharano now teaches over 70 students from ages 6-15.
Our African floral oils include oils that are indigenous to the region, as well as oils that have traditionally been cultivated and distilled in Europe and India but are now being produced in countries such as South Africa. Our Ylang-Ylang essential oil comes from the rainforest of Madagascar, where it is ecologically harvested as a sustainable agroforestry crop; the grade that we offer is “complete,” meaning that the oil coming from various stages of distillation is combined together rather than being sold as different grades.
ROSEWOOD | PERU
Our partners in Peru are on a mission to protect and restore the most endangered trees of the Amazon. Thanks to them, thousands of seedlings are being brought home to once indigenous regions. The most exciting part: our partner has worked to refine the process of collecting material for essential oil distillation in a way that is actually beneficial, rather than harmful, to the plant.
