Wintergreen Wintergreen (Nepal)

Why Nepal and China?

These wintergreen varieties grow wild in the foothills of the Himalaya and Yunnan province, China, making Nepal and China the sole regions of the world with endemic, wild wintergreen. The altitude in these sourcing areas is anywhere between 1,200 and 2,700 meters, requiring many harvesters to go up the mountain to harvest the stems and leaves of wintergreen, and then carry it down the mountain to the distillation point for distillation.

Wintergreen thrives in a cool climate with heavily forested areas.

How does it work?

Wintergreen essential oil comes from the leaves of the wintergreen plant. In Nepal, wintergreen grows tall—up to 9 feet (300 cm)—in forests cared for by Community Forest User’s Groups (CFUGs). These groups steward the land, supporting harvesting that is done sustainably through rotating collection zones that protect the forest’s natural rhythm. In China, the plant hugs the ground, clinging to steep mountainsides where machines cannot reach. The mountain is restricted by seasonal closures that allow the land to rest and regenerate.

Despite differences in terrain and local practices, the process of wintergreen harvesting and distillation is similar across both sourcing countries. In these remote regions, the journey of wintergreen essential oil begins with reverence for the land.

Harvesting is done entirely by hand. Most of this work is carried out by women, whose strength and endurance are matched only by their deep connection to the land. In Nepal, they carry baskets of freshly gathered leaves—sometimes weighing up to 100 pounds (62 kg)—secured with a strap across their foreheads. Upon arrival at micro-distilleries, they are paid cash based on the weight brought in their baskets. For Chinese harvesters, the baskets can weigh over 50 pounds (30 kg). In China, farmers carefully preserve the roots as they harvest, allowing the plant to continue to grow year after year. For many, this work provides vital income during the agricultural off-season.

The journey doesn’t end with the harvest. In both countries, small-scale distilleries are nestled close to the forests, reducing the burden of transporting heavy loads across rugged terrain. In Nepal, this is where harvesters pass their bounty to local distillers. The leaves are soaked overnight in warm water to

soften them and then hydro-distilled to extract the oil. In China, stainless steel stills are used as part of a steam-distillation process to preserve the oil’s clarity, and the yield is about 0.7%. After distillation, the oil must still travel winding mountain roads to reach the factory for filtration, mixing and stirring.

A remarkable trait of wintergreen essential oil is that it is heavier than water. After distillation, it settles beneath the surface—hidden, like a treasure, waiting to be drawn out.

This oil is more than a product. It is the result of generations of knowledge, the tenacity of mountain communities, and a deep respect for nature’s pace. Whether from the forests of Nepal or the peaks of China, wintergreen essential oil is a gift—wild, powerful, and profoundly human in its making.

Co-Impact Story

Building Supplier Capacity in Nepal

Together with our partners in Nepal, we have actively facilitated supply chain improvement and sustainability programs for Wintergreen. We worked with our partners to develop manuals on proper collection, manufacturing, and testing practices. Then, we implemented trainings for harvesters and distillers on these topics. We’ve also installed more distillation units in several communities. These initiatives are helping optimize oil yields to make best use of this beautiful natural resource and increase economic activity and income in these remote areas.

Furthering Environmental Stewardship in China

With the increasing demand for natural wintergreen, the wild plant faces the threat of depletion due to overharvesting. To address this issue, doTERRA’s sourcing partner in China initiated a project three years ago to cultivate wintergreen sustainably, safeguarding its availability for generations to come. They began with breeding and domestication efforts, experimenting with seeds and wild seedlings for cutting and cultivation. Through perseverance and innovation, they discovered that wild seedlings had the highest survival rate when used for cutting. Remarkably, this method required less intervention, contributing to a healthier soil profile. Local suppliers, including our sourcing partner, have supported these efforts by providing timely and stable payments to wintergreen farmers, sometimes exceeding market prices. Today, their efforts have borne fruit, with small-scale successes already visible as a small percentage of the wintergreen in doTERRA product now comes from these cultivated plants. This achievement is not just a testament to their hard work but also a reflection of the deep-rooted Chinese cultural practice of replanting what has been harvested. This tradition underscores their commitment to protecting the environment and preserving wild plants. Additionally, there is a period of time each year in which the mountain is closed, during which harvesting is not allowed, giving the wild wintergreen time to regrow. The story of wintergreen’s sustainable cultivation continues, a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, supporting a future in which this valuable resource thrives for years to come.

Wintergreen Essential Oil | doTERRA Behind the Bottle: Episode 15

Xioaqiang’s Story

In the heart of a remote mountainous village in China, where mist clings to the hills and tradition runs deep, a young leader named Xioaqiang is quietly transforming his community. Despite facing a life-altering misdiagnosis during his teenage years that led to kidney failure, Xioaqiang has never allowed adversity to define him. With a transplanted kidney and an unshakable spirit, he has become a beacon of hope and resilience, leading his rural cooperative with energy, innovation, and a smile that lifts everyone around him.

Today, Xioaqiang continues to inspire as he experiments with cultivating wild wintergreen—called “holly” by the locals—on his own land, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in their rugged terrain. His infectious optimism and tireless work ethic have not only elevated the quality of their essential oil production but have also united the villagers in a shared vision of progress. In every drop of distilled wintergreen and every seed planted in his field, Xioaqiang’s story lives on—a powerful reminder that even in the most remote corners of the world, hope can take root and flourish.

Healing Hands Story

It’s been several years since the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015, yet many people are still working to rebuild their lives and recover. As of 2021, the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation has donated nearly 2.5 million for earthquake relief aid and community-benefitting social impact projects in Nepal.

In partnership with CHOICE Humanitarian, as well as local governments and communities, Healing Hands has supported numerous projects in Wintergreen and Turmeric oil-producing communities. These projects include the construction of Sanskriti Sadan Secondary School (500 students), Sharada Secondary School (700 students), and Gokul Ganga Higher Secondary School (700 students); rebuilding more than 50 earthquake-damaged homes; the expansion of the primary hospital in Palung, Makwanpur (serving over 100,000 people); construction of a new hospital in Rasnalu, Ramechhap; reconstruction of the Agara Health Post; construction of the Veterinary and Agricultural Lab facility as part of the Janakalyan Secondary School in Makwanpur; and installing a water supply system that provides potable water for 325 families and schools in Thaha, one of the country’s poorest communities but also in many other communities. Since then, doTERRA and CHOICE have helped set-up multiple potable water systems for many villages.

Additionally, in partnership with Days for Girls, Healing Hands has funded the distribution of more than 30,000 feminine hygiene kits and accompanying education to adolescent girls throughout Nepal.

Wintergreen Essential Oil | Nepal and the doTERRA Difference