Peppermint Peppermint (IndiaUSA)

Purposeful Dual Sourcing

Different climates and soils impact the chemical profile of the peppermint plant. By sourcing peppermint from both India and the United States, our blend of oil from both locations offers a unique chemistry and profile. This sourcing strategy also helps to protect against crop failure or volatility. dōTERRA’s US peppermint is sourced from multi-generational family farms, and Indian peppermint is sourced from small-scale farmers in rural areas in India. This dual-sourcing approach provides opportunities to source from more farmers and to benefit from a variety of different farm models.

In the United States, peppermint is sourced in Oregon. It is a hybrid of water mint and spearmint and grows as a perennial plant on the same field for a number of years. Oregon has an ideal climate for growing peppermint because of the consistent and heavy rainfall each year. This contributes to a high menthol content, which gives peppermint its minty aroma and flavor.

Some of the northern states in India have climates that are also suited for optimal mint cultivation. Our peppermint from India is grown in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Peppermint cultivation provides a significant source of income for many farmers in Uttar Pradesh. It supports local economies and creates job opportunities in the cultivation and processing sectors.

Two of the three main Indian growing seasons are usually used to produce food crops, but oftentimes the middle growing season goes unutilized. This middle growing season is perfect for cultivating Peppermint as an annual crop (unlike in the U.S. where it is a perennial). Peppermint is an important cash crop for millions of Indian farmers and their families—the vast majority of whom are small producers with land holdings under 2 hectares. By sourcing some of our Peppermint in India, we can also support smallholder farmers there.

Harvest and Production Process

Peppermint is planted each year using roots that are kept in a nursery plot of land either on the farmer’s own land or he/she can purchase the roots from a nursery producer. Peppermint is propagated through cuttings rather than seeds to maintain the quality and consistency of the plant. It is planted in rows with adequate spacing to allow for growth. The farmers prepare the soil by plowing and adding organic matter to enhance fertility. Proper irrigation systems are set up to ensure consistent moisture. Irrigation is essential for the healthy growth of the plant and to increase oil yield.

The essential oil comes from the aerial parts of the peppermint plant (everything above the ground). In India, Peppermint is harvested by hand. The harvest season starts in June and continues into July. Peppermint is usually harvested twice a season but sometimes it can only be harvested once a season due to monsoons. When peppermint is ready to harvest, it is cut down to the ground, then left in the field for up to 24 hours to dry.

After harvesting peppermint, smallholder farmers in India take their harvest to nearby community distillation units to distill the harvested material. The harvested peppermint is cleaned and chopped into small pieces to facilitate the extraction process. The chopped material is placed in the distillation apparatus where steam is passed through it. The steam extracts the essential oil from the plant, the steam and oil mixture is condensed into a liquid form, and the oil and water are separated into different collectors. Mint is usually distilled within 48 hours of harvest, and it takes 4-6 hours to distill a batch of oil. It takes about three pounds of peppermint leaves to produce one 15 mL bottle.

The spent biomass—plant material that has already been distilled—is used to fuel the distillation boilers, creating a more sustainable process.

Sustaining Partnerships in India

In India, the relationship between our sourcing partner and farmers spans several decades, fostering a deep-rooted trust in the system. Our sourcing partner facilitates training programs and education on best practices in safety and agriculture.

After distillation, smallholder farmers in India are then able to take their oil directly to our sourcing partner for purity testing and can be paid on the same day. Some collection centers are equipped with gas chromatographs (GCs) and basic laboratory equipment to perform primary-level tests. Other centers, however, are limited to basic lab equipment for initial testing. Farmers are typically paid on the spot, usually within an hour or, at most, 2–3 hours, depending on the level of activity at the collection centers.

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