doTERRA and essential oils
The amazing world of essential oils
Our earth is covered by a multitude of plants in different shapes, sizes, colors and scents. Many of these plants contain compounds that are normally not visible to the naked eye: they hide in the roots, flowers, seeds, bark or other parts of the plant. These compounds are known as essential oils. They are highly concentrated, which makes them extremely effective. Essential oils, also known as volatile aromatic compounds, give a plant its aroma, protect it from harsh environmental conditions and insects, and even play a role in pollinating plants.
Foundation of doTERRA
doTERRA was founded in 2008 with the aim of making essential oils of therapeutic quality accessible worldwide. A group of health professionals and business people who knew the effects of these precious oils from their own experience wanted to realize this vision. They founded a company called “doTERRA”, a derivation from Latin that means “gift of the earth”. Details about the founders of doTERRA.
The first hurdle to overcome was to set a quality standard for an industry that did not have any standards before. The founders of doTERRA didn't just want to sell essential oils. They were determined to make the highest possible quality and the purest essential oils, so that you could be sure to use only the best health and well-being products for you and your loved ones. This created a new standard for therapeutic quality: CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade®.
To realize this great vision of making essential oils available worldwide, you need a team of dedicated people. These people need a work ethic, dedication, passion and vision. The team has grown since it was founded, but the mission has remained the same: to make essential oils available that everyone - whether newcomers or experts - can safely use for themselves or their loved ones.
About the origin of the essential oils
doTERRA obtains its over 100 essential oils from around 40 countries. Each place of origin is selected according to certain selection criteria. The sustainability of the cultivation, the fair cooperation with the growers, the proximity to local distillation facilities and other criteria play an important role here.
There are videos for many of these oils, in which doTERRA shows the form in which the support of the local population takes place. You can find an overview of the "Co-Impact Sourcing" videos on the various oils under this link.
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: frankincense
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Wintergreen
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Patschuli
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Copaiba
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Turmeric
- Co-Impact-Sourcing:Ylang Ylang in Madagascar
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Pink Pepper
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Lemongrass
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Spikenard
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Cypress
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Peppermint
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Petitgrain
- Co-Impact-Sourcing: Wild Orange
Production of doTERRA oils
The distillation of essential oils is not only science, but also an art. Distillers use modern technologies and technology, but also have years of experience. You can find details on the various manufacturing processes under this link.
dōTERRA works with partners who are experienced distillers and who extract each individual oil with product-specific pressure and temperature - to ensure the best possible quality in the long term.
Preservation of the valuable ingredients of a plant
Once the right plant material is harvested at the perfect time, it is transported to a distillery, where its essential oil is extracted. Extracting essential oils is an extremely difficult process. If it is not done professionally, distillation can significantly change or even destroy a plant's natural aromatic compounds. However, if the distillation is carried out with the necessary experience and care, the essential oil obtained maintains a stable chemical profile for the therapeutic benefit of its users.
Dampfdestillation
Dampfdestillation ist die häufigste Methode mit der aromatische Verbindungen (ätherische Öle) aus einer Pflanze gewonnen werden. Während des Destillationsprozesses, wird Dampf durch das Pflanzenmaterial geleitet. Die Kombination aus heißem Dampf und sanftem Druck, lassen das ätherische Öl aus mikroskopisch kleinen Schutzbeuteln austreten. Die Dampfmischung fließt dann durch einen Kondensator und kühlt ab. Es entstehen zwei Schichten: eine aus Öl, eine aus Wasser. Das ätherische Öl steigt nach oben auf, trennt sich vom Hydrosol (Blumenwasser) und wird gesammelt.
Bei einer Dampfdestillation liegt die Temperatur normalerweise zwischen 60 und 100° Celsius. Da verschiedene Pflanzen unterschiedlichen Druck, andere Temperatur oder Dauer der Destillation benötigen, kann bei dieser Methode der Druck, die Temperatur und die Dauer an die jeweilige Pflanze angepasst werden, um so das reinstmögliche Öl zu erlangen.
Squeeze
In contrast to distillation, no heat is used in pressing, usually also referred to as cold pressing. In this process, oil is extracted from the plant material with mechanical pressure. doTERRA uses this technique for citrus oils extracted from the skin, e.g. Wild orange, lemon, lime, bergamot and grapefruit.
The amount of pressure, the temperature, the duration and the time and the type of harvest are also of immense importance in cold pressing. If the distillation process is not carried out with the utmost care, the aromatic compounds can be destroyed or changed and thus affect the quality of the essential oil. The result is a product that has hardly anything in common with the intended goal and should not be used as a wellness or health product. For this reason, the best distillers distill only a few selected plants. Knowledge and experience are concentrated and the chemical composition of the oil in the plant and the distilled oil from the plant material can be better matched.
How does doTERRA sell its products?
Working with essential oils is unique and the founders of doTERRA knew that an equally unique sales model was needed. doTERRA foregoes mass marketing and instead uses a direct sales model that enables sellers to personally address customers. In this way, individual needs can be addressed; everyone can experience the incredible power of essential oils and at the same time build a trusting relationship with doTERRA and his personal advisor. This model also enables individuals or families to realize their dream of financial independence. Over 2 million product consultants worldwide use and sell doTERRA products.
doTERRA has also been able to help improve the economic future of many poor regions with the help of the Co-Impact Sourcing model and the doTERRA Healing hands foundation.
doTERRA is headquartered in a modern building in Pleasant Grove, Utah. There, doTERRA works hard to realize its vision of familiarizing people all over the world with the health-promoting effects of essential oils.