Rose Rose (Bulgaria)

Rose Heritage in Bulgaria

Known as the “Queen of Oils,” Rose essential oil is highly sought after for its aroma and powerful topical and emotional benefits. Roses have been grown and picked in Bulgaria for over 200 years. With such a long history of growing roses primarily for essential oil, Bulgaria has become one of the largest producers of rose oil in the world. Near the Black Sea, Bulgaria has a sunny and dry climate coupled with well-drained, sandy soil that create ideal conditions.

Harvest and Production Process

Rosa damascena (the Damask Rose) is the species of rose grown and distilled for our Rose essential oil. The flowers are ready to be picked in May or June every year. A rose bush can live for over 20 years.

The flowers are picked by hand early in the morning and distilled later that same day. It is important to distill rose petals the same day they are harvested to capture a higher volume of oil from the delicate petals. The essential oil is produced via hydro distillation of the flower petals. The labor-intensive production process has a very low yield; it takes more than 10,000 freshly picked rose blossoms to produce only one 5 mL bottle of Rose essential oil.

Supporting Local Farmers

Over the last several years, the partnership between Terra Roza (dōTERRA-owned rose distillery) and Bulgarian farmers has provided significant economic revitalization and growth for essential oil crop farmers. Built in 2020, the Terra Roza rose distillery is situated on a field of 11 hectares, close to the city of Shipka, Kazanlak. It is equipped with 4 distillation units, each with a capacity of 5.5 cubic meters. The rose distillery is open only during the harvest and distillation season with the team participating in the distillation processes from Dobrich. Terra Roza distills pure Rose essential oil exclusively for dōTERRA, but it is truly a Bulgarian establishment. The equipment in the rose distillery is made in Bulgaria, and the team has already produced successful research and development activities. Partnering with local rose farmers, Terra Roza is establishing the standard for rose essential oil.

Social Impact

Since 2016, the dōTERRA Healing Hands Foundation has funded 16 social impact projects in Bulgaria, with this number only expected to grow.

In 2024, dōTERRA Healing Hands funded renovations of children’s wards in two hospitals, including one near the area where we source Rose. This hospital serves two municipalities and annually receives 360 children for treatment in the pediatric unit. The renovations included improved functionality with light, heat, and furniture and vibrant artwork to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere for patients, their families, and medical staff.

Within our Rose harvesting community, dōTERRA funded renovations of a healthcare center near Terra Roza. Before renovations, the people of the small city of Shipka relied heavily on an inadequate healthcare center, which was crumbling to pieces and had no medical equipment. The dōTERRA Healing Hands Foundation funded renovations, which included demolition and construction of a new exterior, installing new doors and window frames, laying thermal isolation boarders, and installing a water drain corner. Upon completion in May 2021, the center opened its doors once again with a COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

Since then, the healthcare center has welcomed medical providers visiting from other cities. In July 2021, a visiting optometrist examined over 80 people free of charge. The unique design of the healthcare center allows everything to happen in one place including exams, prescriptions, and choosing glasses. Normally patients would have had to see their General Practitioner to obtain a medical document granting them access to an optometrist, visit the optometrist, and later visit another location to purchase glasses or other needed items. In November 2021, they held a free osteoporosis clinic sponsored by the association “Women Without Osteoporosis.”

The center also secured a permanent dentist, and other medical providers continue to schedule visits. Thanks to renovations, the people of Shipka have greater access to healthcare.

In partnership with Esseterre, and Terra Roza, dōTERRA Healing Hands also supported Academy Roza every year from 2021. Academia Roza is a music camp where talented young children from music schools in Bulgaria spend time together, practice with a professional conductor and prominent musical tutors, and perform in front of an audience—opportunities they may not normally be able to afford. The first six days were spent in rehearsals with cultural field trips and activities during breaks. The camp concluded with two free classical music concerts for the community including Terra Roza farmers and harvesters. Additionally, the student who achieved the best progress and performed well during the academy was awarded a special scholarship.