Helichrysum Helichrysum (AlbaniaFrance (Corsica))

Why Albania?

The scent of Albanian helichrysum is the golden whisper of the Mediterranean—earthy and honeyed, with warm herbal notes and a hint of sun-dried hay. It carries a subtle spice and a touch of licorice, evoking ancient hillsides and wild, untamed blooms kissed by coastal winds.

Nestled along the Adriatic Sea, Albania boasts a temperate climate with ideal conditions for growing helichrysum. It flourishes in the rugged, fertile terrain surrounded by the towering Albanian Alps, near the shores of Lake Shkodra. With this ideal environment and generations of agricultural expertise, Albanians carry a strong sense of deserved pride in their long-standing history of cultivating high-quality herbs.

Harvest and Production Process

Helichrysum is a beautiful plant that packs a powerful punch in the wellness arena. Because of the traditional use of helichrysum for skincare, it’s often called the “Everlasting (or Immortal) Flower.” This small perennial herb is a member of the daisy family that’s characterized by its narrow silver leaves and clusters of gold-yellow, ball-shaped blossoms. The plant flourishes in rocky, well-drained soil and benefits from the warm Mediterranean environment.

The sourcing area boasts over 100 hectares of helichrysum, with nurseries containing over a million plants densely packed with 300–400 per square meter. Helichrysum is typically harvested in late summer or early fall when the flowers have fully matured. The harvest window is relatively small—only 10 days.

Helichrysum essential oil is steam-distilled, primarily from pale yellow flowers and green leaves that grow up to 60 centimeters high before harvest. The plant reaches its peak essential oil–producing potential at around five years old and remains optimal for up to seven years. The distillation process itself takes a few hours resulting in a golden yellow oil that reflects the aromas wafting from the fields.

Supporting Long-Term Partnerships

In the heart of northern Albania, near the majestic Albanian Alps, lies the Bajzë (buy-zuh) distillery—a place where tradition, innovation, and community converge. This is more than a production site for our Helichrysum essential oil; it’s a living testament to the power of purpose-driven enterprise.

Our sourcing partners, Emiland and Lauren, chose to invest in Albania—Emiland’s home country—not just for its ideal growing conditions, but to be part of something deeper: the continued blossoming of a country rich in pride, heritage, and potential. Rather than looking back, they looked forward— building a rural enterprise that honors Albania’s natural gifts and empowers the newest generations of farmers learning from long standing traditions of herb farming.

In Bajzë, 12 stills hum during the summer harvest, processing helichrysum directly from the morning’s harvest to preserve its vibrant potency. Over 450 local farmers are part of this ecosystem, supported through every step—from seedling propagation to sustainable harvesting. Emiland personally trains farmers, oversees distillations, and ensures that every plant is the requested variety grown in healthy soil. As part of the quality check, our partner supports local farmers in delivering weed-free raw materials for distillation, helping maintain both product standards and process efficiency. Unannounced visits and rigorous soil testing support environmentally friendly practices and high essential oil quality.

But what truly sets this operation apart is its spirit of community. During harvest season, Emiland and Lauren’s entire extended family migrates to Bajzë, transforming the distillery into a hive of collaboration. Children, cousins, and grandparents all pitch in, creating a joyful rhythm that infuses the work with meaning.

Everyone in the family has a role in helping production succeed, contributing to the summer magic. There’s a true sense of a family-run operation that extends to their employees as well.

In addition to the distillery offices, ten apartments house employees who are a blend of family and close friends. Meals are shared in the cafeteria, games are played after long days, and communal gardens flourish with food and friendship. A basketball court and soccer field echo with laughter, while the scent of freshly distilled helichrysum drifts through the air.

This is a place where work and life intertwine—where dignity, stability, and shared purpose thrive.

To ensure long-term sustainability, farmers sign up to five-year agreements. This transparent model shields them from market volatility and fosters trust. To further aid local farmers, our partner has dedicated, on-the-ground farmer supporters who visit and check in with individual farmers frequently, even sitting down with them and facilitating use of computers to apply for government farming programs that are only available online.

Through their work, Emiland and Lauren are not only producing world-class essential oil—they are helping write a new chapter for Albania. One rooted in pride, progress, and the enduring beauty of community.

Social Impact

In 2018, doTERRA Healing Hands supported sourcing communities in Albania, starting with renovating five schools that were in critical need of repair. Major repairs, especially to the bathrooms, were completed to meet the proper bathroom ratios for students and teachers. Along with these repairs, the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation funded the construction of a new school during the renovation process of the other schools.

When the devastating 2019 earthquake struck Albania—the strongest in over 40 years and the deadliest the country had seen in nearly a century—it left a profound impact on communities across the region. The disaster claimed 51 lives, injured around 3,000 people, and was the most fatal earthquake globally that year.

In response, doTERRA Healing Hands and our local partner mobilized quickly, working alongside community organizations to provide critical relief. Over 20 families received temporary housing, while over 120 were supported with emergency supplies such as food, medicine, and clothing. Additionally, more than 390 individuals received essential health services, including medical care and psychosocial support, helping to restore hope and stability in the aftermath of the crisis.

How We Source Helichrysum | Behind the Bottle