Bulgaria in Bloom

BEHIND THE BOTTLE

BULGARIA IN BLOOM

A foundational, bestselling essential oil and key product in numerous kits, dōTERRA® Lavender is what you reach for during your bedtime routine, when you’re craving an elegant scent, or when you need a peaceful moment.

Lavender is world-renowned for its potency and purity, but do you know its story?

A Long History

The incredible properties of lavender have been recognized for centuries. The name lavender is thought to come from either the Latin words lavare, meaning “to wash,” or livere, meaning “blueish.”

Lavender has an extensive history in traditional wellness, cosmetics, and culinary practices. Some historians estimate the first lavender harvests in France date back to 600 BC! And of course, it’s been planted in gardens around the world for ages because of its beauty and fragrance.

It’s a remarkable plant, and more recently researchers have started performing clinical trials to better understand the vast benefits of Lavender essential oil.

Healing Bulgarian Heritage

Lavender is often associated with France, and while dōTERRA does source some essential oil from France,

most comes from Bulgaria. Bulgaria’s climate and soil are ideal for growing floral plants like lavender, melissa, and rose. Beyond the perfect growing conditions, Bulgaria also has a rich history of cultivating high-quality florals.

In the 1940s, Bulgaria was known worldwide as a top producer of essential oils—connoisseurs, if you will. When the communist party that ruled the country fell in the early 1990s, everything became tumultuous, and food shortages occurred. Many lavender and rose harvesters replaced their florals with crops subsidized by the government, including corn, wheat, and sunflowers.

The restoration of essential oil production—an important part of Bulgarian heritage—has been a slow process. But dōTERRA recognized an opportunity to help both the land and people heal with opportunities to return to the crops of their past.

Bulgarian Lavender being distilled.

Harvesting with Esseterre

Esseterre, a dōTERRA essential oil distillery, was established in Dobrich, Bulgaria, in 2015. While it’s owned by dōTERRA, the distillery is managed completely by Bulgarians. This facility incentivizes farmers to grow florals again and allows dōTERRA to work with these skilled farmers.

It all begins with farmers planting lavender fields on their land. With the history and knowledge they have, the farmers can cultivate the highest-quality lavender crops in the world.

The entire annual production of Lavender essential oil occurs in just three to four weeks. During this time, Esseterre employees work around the clock to ensure the highest-quality product possible. Though the vibrant color you’re familiar with occurs in early summer, the farmers actually harvest lavender in July—once the bright purple color has started fading from exposure to the summer heat. Harvesting at this stage ensures higher quantity and quality of essential oil.

When harvested correctly, lavender can grow back each season for about 20 years. When a lavender plant reaches the end of its life, farmers take cuttings from the old plant to propagate new lavender plants and continue the cycle.

Once farmers have completed their harvest, the blooms are taken to Esseterre for distillation. Farmers are encouraged to remain at the distillery during the process. Once their harvest is distilled, farmers can choose to sell their final essential oil to a different buyer or sell it to Esseterre. Most farmers choose to sell to Esseterre because it provides a fair, transparent price with on-time payment. This economic opportunity has helped Bulgarian farmers and families begin to thrive.

A Group of Harvesters

Giving Back to the Community

Along with providing a valuable economic opportunity, dōTERRA has also given back to local communities. Through Cō-Impact Sourcing ® and the dōTERRA Healing Hands Foundation ® , Esseterre supports a mentor program for youths in foster care facilities.

Recently, Esseterre also participated in a special project called the Wonder Garden. The Wonder Garden is an organization founded in 2018 that employs people with disabilities—many of whom would have difficulty finding traditional employment. The Wonder Garden provides employees with income from the produce and flowers they grow. Esseterre has supported the project in several ways, including donating a truck to deliver produce to the market and hosting a group of Wellness Advocates who prepared the ground for planting and installed drip irrigation. To increase their production and profit, the dōTERRA Healing Hands Foundation also donated funds for a tractor that’s now used in the garden.

Returning to Their Roots

Now when you reach for a bottle of Lavender essential oil, you know its incredible story. Despite difficult circumstances, the Bulgarian landscape is adorned with lavender again. Heritage is being restored, and the world is enjoying the benefits of beautiful Lavender essential oil.

Bulgaria is in bloom once more.

Learn more about Lavender