“ When in doubt get your Spikenard out .”
— Dr . Hill
The Cō-Impact Sourcing ® initiative in Nepal has brought many benefits to the Nepalese people . One of the biggest has been creating added jobs involved in Spikenard harvesting , drying , and distillation . The Himalayan regions of western Nepal , where the vast majority of the Spikenard is harvested , is one of the country ’ s poorest areas , so any economic activity that we can bring to the region is a great benefit .
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NEPALESE HARVESTER
Harvesting Spikenard is a very time-consuming and challenging activity . It only grows in the higher altitudes — 3,000 m to 5,000 m ( about 9,850 ft . to 16,400 ft .)— and generally on the cooler , western side of steep hills ( 40 °– 70 ° inclined slopes ). Accessing these locations takes multiple days and requires the harvesters , who also tend to be goat herders , to set up a basecamp from which they work . Because they are harvesting the roots , harvesters have to dig them out of the ground , clean off the dirt , and keep going all day . The Spikenard harvest is restricted to a few months of the year so they have to work quickly and carefully to ensure that the plants will regrow for the next harvest . It is physically demanding working at those altitudes and requires long stints away from their homes and families .
Finding new oils to source is not our only objective . We want to help build the individuals , regions , and countries that we come in contact with . We also want to make sure those sourcing the oils have the resources to increase their income . One of our objectives in Nepal is to help them cultivate Spikenard . Our hope is that through cultivation we will increase the amount of root material that the plants produce and make accessing the plants less time consuming . The second objective is a project to install solar dryers so the harvesters can dry the roots rather than selling the fresh roots to a drying facility .
“ The majority of Spikenard ’ s chemistry is comprised of four or five compounds , and it makes up from 60 – 70 percent of its chemistry . It is a fairly dominant type profile that we always expect in Spikenard . In our Spikenard essential oil , we have identified 170 different compounds . Not only do we have vast amounts of chemistry , but we have non-focused chemistry . The complete opposite of what we see with essential oils that are more dominant . So what does this all mean ? Spikenard will do almost everything ,” explains Dr . David K . Hill , D . C .
The Nepalese people are strong , hardworking , and hopeful — hopeful for a better , more independent life . Through doTERRA ’ s Co-Impact Sourcing they have found that hope . With doTERRA ’ s help , they are creating and sustaining their families and communities , all while growing in their knowledge of the land . The harvesting and distillation of Spikenard will not only benefit those sourcing it but those who partake of it . With Spikenard ’ s many benefits and uses , it ’ s no wonder Dr . Hill says , “ When in doubt get your Spikenard out .”
FACT : It took the Spikenard film crew eight days of trekking on foot to get to the areas where they could capture the needed footage . doterra . com / 31