Juniper Berry Juniper Berry (Albania)

Juniper trees are native to much of the Northern Hemisphere, including Albania, where we source our Juniper Berry essential oil. These berries are wild harvested under a government permit given to a network of more than 2,000 harvesters. Our partner in Albania is working on planting more than 60 hectares of Juniper Berry tress on their native habitat in the mountains.

Harvest and Production Process

Juniper trees can live for as long as 200 years. They are shrub-like, evergreen conifers that have needles instead of leaves. Because Junipers are evergreen, they keep these needles all year long. The trees produce male and female flowers, which grow on separate trees. The male flowers are small and yellow and grow near the tip of the twigs whereas the female flowers are green and, once pollinated, become the purple fruit—berries—of the Juniper.

The essential oil comes from the berry. The berries are ripe and ready for harvest when they have turned blue in color. The harvested berries are then steam distilled to produce the essential oil. The total process to extract the essential oil takes 48 hours, including 14 hours of steam distillation itself.

Supporting long-term partnerships

Our partner in Albania provides farmers with contracts. This absorbs price fluctuations so that farmers can receive a consistently fair and transparent price. Additionally, it helps provide more stability and security for these farmers.

Social Impact

doTERRA Healing Hands supported our sourcing communities in Albania by renovating schools. Five schools in desperate need were chosen. Healing Hands helped with major repairs, especially to the bathrooms to provide the proper bathroom ratio for students and teachers. Additionally, Healing Hands supported in building one brand new school during the time of the repairs for the other schools.