Essential oils have been around for over 5,000 years. These compounds capture the “essence” or their smell, taste and therapeutic properties of various trees, plants and herbs for aromatherapy, cosmetic and medicinal purposes.
Essential oils are extracted through natural methods that have been used for thousands of years by many local indigenous communities around the world, especially in Asia, South America and Africa. The bark, flowers, leaves and seeds are handpicked, then mechanically cold pressed, steamed or distilled to extract the aromatic compounds.
This delicate process is painstaking work, but it is vital because when chemical or non-organic methods are used, they are no longer considered true essential oils.
Over the past 15 years, the green movement and demand for all-natural products has spawned multi-level marketing companies such as doTERRA, which sell essential oils as an alternative to Big Pharma. The healing properties and benefits of essential oils make them very popular in many homes as a home remedy for minor aches and pains, including headaches, migraines, and even inflammation.
doTERRA claims that the oils they sell are made using sustainable methods and are ethically sourced, adding to their selling power. But as we saw in Vice’s The Price of Purity, those claims are inaccurate. Journalist Hind Hassan examines the frankincense harvest in East Africa’s Somaliland region.
She talks to everyone in the essential oil supply chain to get a clear picture of whether everything is as ethical and sustainable as the industry claims. She found that the boswellia trees were over-harvested and felled because of the general demand in the US and other major western countries. Boswellia experts are understandably concerned that it is unsustainable and will harm existing trees and future crops.
Another major problem is that the large essential oil companies supply them with their essential oils through middlemen with no direct connection to the farmers. These middlemen and oil brokers promise higher prices for their produce, but instead of paying farmers anything owed, they offer to pay them in the form of food. They steal from farmers who have harvested incense for generations.
On the other hand, doTERRA continues to buy from these middlemen and still does not deal directly with farmers. Instead, they gave back to the community by building hospitals and private boarding schools. While there is some kind of hospital now, tourists can’t find schools anywhere.
The benefits of essential oils are well known and should be enjoyed by as many people as possible. It promotes a more natural and organic approach to healthcare while empowering local communities to improve their lives.
However, companies must verify their suppliers and maintain direct relationships with loggers to achieve truly ethical and sustainable practices in their operations. And we consumers need to look at these companies and look beyond the marketing, asking tough questions and demanding proof of their ethical claims.
