Lavender Lavender (BulgariaFrance)

Lavender Heritage in Bulgaria and France

Bulgaria is an agricultural haven for growing aromatic plants, and the people are rich in expertise. When combined with fertile soil, the sunny, dry climate near the Black Sea creates ideal growing conditions. By sourcing lavender from Bulgaria, doTERRA supports local farmers near Esseterre, the doTERRA-owned distillation facility.

France is well-known for producing exceptionally high-quality lavender. While Bulgaria is fast becoming a leader in lavender cultivation, France has long been a pioneer in lavender production, with a rich history dating back to 600 B.C., according to some historians’ estimates. The legacy of French lavender farming sets a high standard for quality, one that Bulgaria is now striving to meet, blending modern innovations with ancient practices

Carrying On the Tradition of Lavender with Esseterre

In the sun-kissed fields near Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, rows of lavender stretch as far as the eye can see. Local farmers have cultivated this aromatic herb for generations, but the industry nearly faded into history during the post-communist era. Today, a revitalization is taking place, driven in part by the dedication of these farmers and the cutting-edge facilities at Esseterre.

While Bulgaria has historically boasted some of the world’s premier essential oil research, development, and production, the industry faced challenges in the post-communist era. Food crops have always dominated the country’s arable land, However, after the fall of communism, government support encouraged farmers to focus on growing crops like wheat, sunflower, and corn, leaving aromatic plants like lavender and rose in the background. As a result, by 2024, essential oils like lavender and rose occupy just 1% of Bulgaria’s arable land, while food crops remain the main agricultural focus.

The aromatic industry’s decline in innovation inspired doTERRA to establish the Esseterre facility in Dobrich, Bulgaria. Although Esseterre is owned by doTERRA, it is a Bulgarian firm built and managed by Bulgarians. Expert managers, distillers, farmers, and engineers combine their impeccable skills and a shared commitment to positively impact their communities.

At Esseterre, the quality of essential oil can be tested from a farmer’s crop very quickly. The on-site, state of the art laboratory includes a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) machine to confirm quality and a space where farmers can watch and wait while their crops are being distilled. Having this technology on-site allows doTERRA to confirm, in a timely manner, that the plants produced high quality oil, supporting the fair and timely payment of farmers—usually the same day.

The Esseterre facility has more than 80 employees and consists of an extensive distillation operation with 37 stills to produce Bulgarian Lavender, Melissa, Blue Yarrow, and Savoury, as well as Frankincense and Myrrh essential oils for doTERRA. The extensive land on which the operation is set up allows for research and conducting trials that explore potential new crops and oils for the future. The on-site state-of-the-art laboratory enables the team to conduct detailed testing and research on crops and oils.

The Production Process

Lavender typically grows on lighter, sandier soil. Even though the local arable land is different, the lavender grows with even better results in the fertile soil of Bulgaria. As the plant does not need irrigation, there is no extra watering requirement for doTERRA’s partner farmers, making it an environmentally friendly crop. It needs good sun during the summer to yield quality and quantity

Farmers obtain seedlings for their farms through propagation nurseries, using specific certified varieties of lavender. The plants are typically planted in late October. In their first year, the lavender yields little to no oil, depending on its development. However, by the second year, the plants begin to produce a higher yield.

Bulgarian Lavender is typically harvested from late June to late July by farmers on their land. While its vibrant color peaks in early summer, the plant produces higher-quality and greater amount of oil after its color begins to fade from under the summer heat. Lavender plants regrow annually and usually need replanting after 8-10 years.

After the harvest, the lavender is brought straight to Esseterre’s distillation facility for processing. It is a common scene to see large trucks lined up at the entrance of the facility with heaps of purple lavender bulging out of the truck containers. One at a time, the trucks drive onto a weighing pad to record how much raw material was brought. It is then released into a pile and manually loaded into distillation stills. With such an influx of raw material to handle, Esseterre opens up temporary job positions, providing work opportunities for community members. The lavender raw material then undergoes steam distillation to extract the essential oil, a process that takes about 1 to 1.5 hours per batch.

On average, lavender yields about 1% oil, meaning 1,000 kilograms of raw material produces roughly 10 kilograms of oil. During the harvest season, distillation runs 24 hours a day in order to process the raw material in a timely manner and to maintain the optimal production of the high-quality oil.

This means that employment opportunities increase during harvest seasons for local community members. Because lavender needs to be distilled within one day of harvesting, in 2024, Esseterre worked with farmers from 65 lavender farms within a small radius of Dobrich. The entire annual lavender production takes place in just 3-4 weeks, during which Esseterre employees work tirelessly around the clock.

Supporting Local Jobs

The establishment of Esseterre has contributed, along with the growing essential oil market, to the ongoing economic revitalization of the Dobrich region. It has brought a multi-million investment and many jobs to a country where nearly a quarter of its population lives at or below the global poverty line.

An increasing number of farmers are bringing their crops to Esseterre, drawn by the advanced equipment and technology at the facility, as well as its reputation as a dependable and fair buyer. Esseterre consistently provides timely payments to contracted farmers, further strengthening its trustworthiness and appeal.

Esseterre has also recruited skilled business professionals that manage the entire facility and operation, with expert engineers and scientists to produce the highest quality essential oils. The machinery involved in distilling essential oils requires dependable employees who are critical in maintaining the high quality and purity of the essential oil.

Social Impact

The success of Esseterre has done more than revitalize Bulgaria’s lavender industry—it has also opened significant opportunities for local communities. Beyond the fields, Esseterre is deeply committed to social responsibility, as demonstrated by its support for initiatives like the Step by Step program, which offers mentorship and guidance to vulnerable children in the region.

Since 2016, the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation has funded 16 social impact projects in Bulgaria, a number that continues to grow. One of the foundation’s earliest efforts was a partnership with the Mothers’ Care Club, providing scholarships to orphans and children in need in the Dobrich area. In addition, doTERRA Healing Hands has supported infrastructure projects, including improvements to local primary and secondary schools in Dobrich

The foundation’s impact extends to a wide range of community projects, such as youth mentorship, scholarships, playground development, and medical facility enhancements.

After the opening of the Esseterre distillery, the children of Dobrich wrote to the mayor requesting safe places to play. In response, the municipality quickly began plans for two playgrounds—one for children aged 6 and under, and one for children aged 3 to 12—located just a few blocks from Esseterre. In 2018, doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation contributed funding to the construction of these playgrounds, which are now completed and available to all 80,000 residents of Dobrich.

Together, Esseterre and doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation have partnered to provide crucial support to organizations in Dobrich and Shipka. As of August 2024, over $900,000 has been donated to social impact projects across Bulgaria, improving lives and building stronger, more resilient communities.

More About the Step by Step Program

In the heart of Dobrich, Step by Step is making a profound difference in the lives of children from vulnerable families and those who have been deprived of parental care. With a deep commitment to fostering dignity and empowerment, Step by Step’s goal is to create a nurturing environment where children can thrive and develop into confident, capable young adults. The program started in 2018, as a mentorship program for children and youth in children’s residential centers. Initiated by Esseterre and with the help of doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation, the mentors and the volunteers participating in the program organized group meetings, online meetings, individual meetings, workshops, and educational outings to help cover the needs of the children with their school tasks and social development.

The program offers a variety of enriching activities, including cooking, homework assistance, career guidance, outdoor sports, training camps, and educational trips, all designed to provide these children with the tools they need for a brighter future. This program is important for this social group and its goal is to help the participants to enter society with self-confidence and motivation.

Examples of soft skills taught to the children are communication, teamwork, participation, personal hygiene, health habits while also teaching computer skills, grammar, literacy, mathematics, professional opportunities and more.

In 2024, Step by Step reached 35 children who were deprived of parental care, along with at least 30 children from vulnerable families, all of whom were students at the school in the village of Pobeda. Since the program’s inception, it has directly supported over 75 children deprived of parental care. In a heartening shift, 41 of these children are no longer residing in children’s residential centers, marking a significant milestone in their journey toward independence and stability. Overall, the project has benefited more than 100 children and youths, each one a testament to the program’s profound impact

While the direct beneficiaries are clear, the ripple effects of the program extend far beyond the children. The broader community, including mayors and deputy mayors from the Municipality of Dobrich, as well as managers, social workers, and caregivers from local children’s residential centers, have been deeply influenced by the positive changes brought about by Step by Step. The program has also forged relationships with experts from the Regional Education Department, the school principal and mediators at the Pobeda school, local business representatives, and the Regional Labor Office. Permanent volunteers and their families, alongside one-time volunteers from universities, have all contributed their time and energy to this inspiring cause.

One of the most beautiful outcomes of Step by Step’s work has been the shift in societal attitudes toward vulnerable children, fostering greater empathy and understanding in the wider community.

In the early years of the program, doTERRA was the sole organization funding the work of Step by Step. Their unwavering support has been a cornerstone of the program’s success even as Step by Step’s success has attracted additional funding, including a €1,500 grant from the Municipality of Dobrich. This funding supported a project titled “For Crafts and Children,” which offered 13 workshops in traditional skills, such as leatherworking, soap-making, and pottery. The children’s handmade products were sold at a charity bazaar, raising funds for future activities, including a boot camp and educational trip in 2025.

The fruits of these workshops were showcased at a charity bazaar, where the children’s handmade products were sold, helping to raise vital funds for an upcoming boot camp and trip in 2025. This new initiative will allow the children to engage in further educational and recreational activities that will nurture their growth and self-confidence

Additional Projects

Additionally, in 2024, the Healing Hands Foundation sponsored the renovation of two pediatric units in hospitals in Bulgaria as part of the “Firefly” project. This initiative, led by the “For The Good” Foundation, focused on transforming hospital environments for children, creating warm, friendly, and healing spaces. The goal was to replace clinical, intimidating environments with soothing atmospheres that felt more like home. The renovations, including better lighting, furniture, and vibrant artwork, provide a more nurturing atmosphere for young patients, their families, and medical personnel, including at a hospital near the lavender-growing region. This hospital serves over 8 municipalities and sees 1,800 children for treatment in the pediatric unit. Through effective collaboration, the Firefly project successfully improved the hospital experience for young patients in the Karnobat and Dobrich hospitals.

As Esseterre continues to grow, its impact on the people of Dobrich only deepens. From cultivating lavender to nurturing the next generation through playgrounds, hospitals, and the Step by Step program, the partnership between farming and philanthropy is helping create a brighter future for Bulgaria’s most vulnerable communities. With each step forward, this program proves that when communities come together with compassion and support, transformation is possible.

Brochure

doTERRA Lavender Essential Oil

Esseterre Quick Facts

• Esseterre is a doTERRA-owned distillation facility located in Dobrich, Bulgaria, where more than 80 employees manage the production of essential oils.
• The facility includes 37 stills used to distill oils like Bulgarian Lavender, Melissa, Blue Yarrow, and Savory, along with doTERRA Frankincense and Myrrh.
• A state-of-the-art laboratory with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) equipment is located on-site, allowing timely testing and fair, same-day payment to farmers.
• The land surrounding the facility supports research and trials to explore potential new crops and essential oils for future use.
• Bulgarian Lavender is typically harvested from late June to late July by farmers on their land. While its vibrant color peaks in early summer, the plant produces higher-quality and greater amount of oil after its color begins to fade from under the summer heat. Lavender plants regrow annually and usually need replanting after 8-10 years.
• On average, lavender yields about 1% oil, meaning 1,000 kilograms of raw material produces roughly 10 kilograms of oil. During the harvest season, distillation runs 24 hours a day in order to process the raw material in a timely manner and to maintain the optimal production of the high-quality oil.

Social Impact

The growth of Esseterre has brought opportunity and inspiration to many people in the Dobrich region. Its presence has led to a wide range of community development initiatives, supported by local community members and the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation.

Since 2016, 16 social impact projects have been launched in Bulgaria with Healing Hands funding, including scholarships through a partnership with the Mothers’ Care Club, and improvements to Dobrich’s local schools. The foundation also supported the construction of two playgrounds for the children of Dobrich after they wrote to the mayor requesting a safe place to play. These playgrounds now serve all 80,000 residents of the city.

The Step by Step program, started in 2018, was created to mentor children from vulnerable families and those who lacked parental care. It offers activities like homework help, career exploration, outdoor sports, and traditional skill workshops. This program aims to help children enter society with confidence and a sense of motivation.

The program also builds community involvement by bringing in mayors, school staff, social workers, and volunteers to support the children. Permanent and visiting volunteers—including university students—have helped change public attitudes, fostering more empathy and understanding for these children.

In 2024, the Healing Hands Foundation also funded the Firefly project. This initiative, led by the “For The Good” Foundation, lead to the renovation two pediatric hospital units in Bulgaria to create more comforting spaces for young patients. These units, including one in a hospital near the lavender-growing region, now serve over 1,800 children annually with improved lighting, colorful artwork, and a more inviting atmosphere.

As Esseterre continues to grow, its impact on the people of Dobrich only deepens. From cultivating lavender to nurturing the next generation through playgrounds, hospitals, and the Step by Step program, the partnership between farming and philanthropy is helping create a brighter future for Bulgaria’s most vulnerable communities. With each step forward, this program proves that when communities come together with compassion and support, transformation is possible.

Lavender Heritage in Bulgaria

In the sun-kissed fields near Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, rows of lavender stretch as far as the eye can see. Local farmers have cultivated this aromatic herb for generations, but the industry nearly faded into history during the post-communist era. Today, a revitalization is taking place, driven in part by the dedication of these farmers and the cutting-edge facilities at Esseterre.

While Bulgaria has historically boasted some of the world’s premier essential oil research, development, and production, the industry faced challenges in the post-communist era. Food crops have always dominated the country’s arable land, However, after the fall of communism, government support encouraged farmers to focus on growing crops like wheat, sunflower, and corn, leaving aromatic plants like lavender and rose in the background. As a result, by 2024, essential oils like lavender and rose occupy just 1% of Bulgaria’s arable land, while food crops remain the main agricultural focus.

The aromatic industry’s decline in innovation inspired doTERRA to establish the Esseterre facility in Dobrich, Bulgaria. Although Esseterre is owned by doTERRA, it is a Bulgarian firm built and managed by Bulgarians. Expert managers, distillers, farmers, and engineers combine their impeccable skills and a shared commitment to positively impact their communities.

At Esseterre, the quality of essential oil can be tested from a farmer’s crop very quickly. The on-site, state of the art laboratory includes a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) machine to confirm quality and a space where farmers can watch and wait while their crops are being distilled. Having this technology on-site allows doTERRA to confirm, in a timely manner, that the plants produced high quality oil, supporting the fair and timely payment of farmers—usually the same day.

The Esseterre facility has more than 80 employees and consists of an extensive distillation operation with 37 stills to produce Bulgarian Lavender, Melissa, Blue Yarrow, and Savoury, as well as Frankincense and Myrrh essential oils for doTERRA. The extensive land on which the operation is set up allows for research and conducting trials that explore potential new crops and oils for the future. The on-site state-of-the-art laboratory enables the team to conduct detailed testing and research on crops and oils.

Once nearly lost to time, Bulgaria’s proud lavender-growing heritage is now blossoming again, as dedicated farmers and modern innovation breathe new life into this cherished and vital crop.