Rhododendron Essential Oil from Bhutan
Sourced from two distinct regions in Bhutan, our new Rhododendron essential oil provides an additional source of income for yak herders in remote areas of Bhutan.
This Rhododendron essential oil is distilled from plants collected from two regions in Bhutan, Soi Jangothang and Naro. Soi Jangothangpart of the Paro district and Naro is part of the Thimphu district. Soi Jangothang is two days walk from the nearest road and Naro (Barshong) is connected to the nearest road only by a farm track. In Soi Jangothang there are around 40 to 50 households. The main occupation is herding Yak and the main cash crops are wild cordyceps, medicinal herbs, incense, butter, cheese etc. Naro (Barshong) has around 13 households, with similar industry.
In Soi Jangothang one local organized the collectionion work. He sub-contracted five local people to collect and transport the rhododendron plants to the road by horse.
At Naro valley, the materials were purchased from Naro Noemen Tshokpa (Naro High Altitude Medical Herbs Group). There were around ten households involved in collecting the rhododenron and transporting them to the nearest road from the mountain.
The additional income that these yak herding communities receive from high value crops such as rhododendron has allowed them to have a higher standard of living than in many other subsistance farming regions of Bhutan. Our distiller is able to pay above market prices to these communities for collection of the raw materials because he has partnered with Floracopeia to purchase the oils that he distills from them. We are honored to be a part of this cycle of prosperity and to offer our customers the opportunity to participate with us, while also experiencing these unique aromatherapy treasures!
The Bhuddists call the petals of the rhododendron tree the tears of the bodhisattva, "Loving Eyes," and they symbolize the united compassion of all Buddhas.
In Bhutan R. anthopogon is one of the main ingredients of incense. In the Traditional Medicinal Hospital, its flowers are used for medicinal purposes for fever and swelling of the abdomen due to the indigestion of food, to relieve numbness of the extremities, swelling, and itching of the throat. Rhododendron leaves are used in the Traditional Herbal Bath to heal body swelling and regain the health of weak people.
