doTERRA Co-Impact Sourcing | Valerian

<<13>> I have been driving on winding mountain roads for a long time.

<<15>> The reason why I have travelled over mountains and through ravines

<<17>> is that I am looking for a local traditional Miao medicine:

<<19>> valerian.

<<23>> We are now near a national reserve

<<26>> with a wonderful natural environment and climate.

<<28>> Making it the ideal place for high quality valerian.

<<30>> This is also the source of our Valerian Root essential oil.

<<38>> Since the altitude is relatively high in Guizhou

<<41>> we have valerian with better oil quality.

<<42>> In rural areas where we live

<<44>> the conditions used to be poor in such mountainous areas

<<45>> without accessible roads.

<<46>> Now we all know that villages are equipped with a road network.

<<49>> We have been growing valerian for over a decade.

<<51>> Now, the yield of valerian is quite high

<<54>> which usually stands at 600-750kg per mu (or around 667m²)

<<57>> Valerian has been used locally for thousands of years

<<59>> as a kind of Miao medicine.

<<61>> It has become an irreplaceable part of local people’s lives.

<<66>> Wild valerian is prone to degradation,

<<69>> neither the quality nor yield can be guaranteed.

<<71>> Therefore, we need to work on wild domestication

<<75>> and find out the high-quality species of valerian.

<<82>> During distillation we use brand new equipment

<<84>> made of medical stainless steel for extraction

<<87>> to ensure higher active ingredient content in the essential oil

<<89>> and more consistent quality.

<<98>> This is wild valerian.

<<99>> It’s much smaller and has tiny roots.

<<100>> We selected six varieties of valerian

<<103>> for wild domestication.

<<105>> Finally, we decided on Valeriana officinalis L

<<127>> We are very lucky

<<128>> to have such a valerian distiller in the local area

<<130>> who has true enthusiasm and considerable experience.

<<133>> They sold their house in the big city

<<134>> and came back here, their hometown.

<<137>> Through domestication of wild valerian

<<138>> they encouraged more farmers to plant valerian

<<140>> and tried their best to promote valerian to the world.

<<143>> Hopefully, this can help make a difference in our hometown.

<<146>> “At the source” has always been our sourcing guiding principle.

<<148>> Through cooperation with local growers and distillers

<<150>> we not only help farmers to boost their income

<<152>> but also get high quality valerian essential oil.

<<155>> This is exactly what we want.

<<156>> Sourcing the best, helping the most.

<<164>> The market is booming for valerian growers nowadays.

<<167>> There are also experts to provide guidance,

<<169>> so we don’t need to worry about the quality.