Marc Schreuder, a lead researcher at Young Living, recently documented his trip with Gary Young to Madagascar. As one of the world’s leading growers and distillers of aromatic plants for essential oils, Gary Young has long understood that guaranteeing oil quality is not just a matter of subjecting essential oils to analytical equipment; it starts with an intensive understanding of the collectors and growers of the herbs, inspecting fields, monitoring distillation, and collecting samples. This is why Gary Young has insisted on visiting and inspecting all farms and facilities providing essential oils to Young Living. The most recent extension of this mandate was Gary’s scheduling of site inspections to different essential oil producers in Madagascar and Kenya, where a number of essential oils are produced, including vetiver, ylang ylang, clove, ravensara, black pepper, myrrh, and frankincense. He asked Young Living researchers, Mary Lou Jacobson, and Marc Schreuder, to accompany him during these 10 days. Gary Young and Young Living continue to remain vigilant, ensuring that only the most pure raw materials are used in the production of essential oils. It is this commitment to superior quality that allows thousands to enjoy the health benefits these natural oils. *I have direct experience with the Ecuador land, as I have seen it in different seasons and different stages. It is not "Ecuadorian rain forest"; it is low-lying scrub land on Ecuador's western coast. During the 6-month dry season in this area, everything is dormant and looks dead (we purchased during the dry season; I wondered what in the world Gary was thinking!). The land is predominantly vines and low bushes, with some mid-sized trees and an occasional large tree.* *Into this Gary Young has brought irrigation, responsible land management, productivity, sustainability, and year-round growth -- none of which was there before. He's growing native plants and truly improving the land. The largest trees have been left intact. Palo Santo trees have been identified and transplanted or protected. Gary's caught the positive attention of local officials who are excited about what he's responsibly accomplishing. This land is part of the stewardship which we honor!* *Gary's research takes him throughout Ecuador (and the world). Hundreds or thousands of beneficial aromatic plants await discovery, and Gary is seeking them out. For this reason he travels frequently into Ecuador's Rain Forest (it begins quite some distance away from our farm and is primarily within the Amazon basin east of the Andes).* *Led by the passion, vision, and stewardship of Gary, Mary, and many other dedicated employees, Young Living is the world leader in essential oils.* Steve Bentley, YL Corporate

Native healers have traditionally used copal topically to help reduce skin disorders and insect bites. Young Living Gas Chromatograph testing lends support to these historical claims, with the essential oil showing one of the highest levels of beta chariopholene, as well as optimal levels of gamma elamine and alpha humaline (shown to support 