This episode of the Essential Wellness Podcast takes listeners to Hawaiʻi's Big Island, where the team visited the Kealakekua Mountain Reserve (KMR) — home to dōTERRA's ʻIliahi (Hawaiian Sandalwood) Reforestation Project.

The discussion highlights the cultural, ecological, and therapeutic importance of sandalwood while showcasing dōTERRA's ongoing commitment to sustainability and community partnership.

🌿 Hawaiian Reforestation & Wellness Initiative

• The ʻIliahi Reforestation Project spans nearly 9,600 acres and aims to plant 1 million native trees by 2030.

• Demonstrates dōTERRA's Co-Impact Sourcing™ model and focus on regenerative agriculture.

• Hawaiian Sandalwood supports mind, body, and spirit — grounding the nervous system, soothing the skin, and calming emotions.

• Emphasizes community partnerships and creating sustainable livelihoods for local families.

🌱 Kealakekua Mountain Reserve Project

• Led by Greg Hendrickson, General Manager since 2018, focused on restoring native forests and sustainable sandalwood growth.

• Managed by Keliʻikanoe Kanoiwahi, promoting education and youth connection to the land.

• Over 700,000 sandalwood trees have been planted, with the goal of 1 million by 2030.

• Harvest cycle: approximately 25 years, with 100–150 trees harvested annually for dōTERRA oil production.

• Visitors experience the Hawaiian value of mālama ʻāina — "to care for and live in harmony with the land."

💧 Therapeutic Benefits of Sandalwood Oil

Presented by Dr. Louise Rose, ND

• Supports skin health, reduces inflammation, and promotes emotional balance.

• Benefits the respiratory and digestive systems, helping normalize peristalsis.

• Aids metabolism, hormone regulation, and assists with sleep and fatigue recovery.

• Can be used as a natural deodorant, interacting positively with body chemistry and pheromones.

🪶 Emotional & Energetic Benefits

ʻIliahi promotes grounding, calm, and emotional release.

• Supports individuals experiencing PTSD or living in a constant fight-or-flight state.

• Encourages softness, mindfulness, and presence — helping us slow down and listen before responding.

• Dr. Mica shared how sandalwood aids in life transitions, offering a gentle, stabilizing energy that reconnects us to self and spirit.

🌸 Cultural & Medicinal Significance

• Will Wan, L.Ac. presented sandalwood's importance from a Chinese medicine perspective.

• Dr. Josie Schmidt, ND discussed dōTERRA's environmental stewardship, including a bird study that helped protect the reserve's native ecosystem.

• ʻIliahi symbolizes interconnectedness, community, and restoration — a living expression of harmony between people and place.

• Ariana Harley invited listeners to join upcoming Plant Speak courses (February 2024) and to connect through dōTERRA membership for continued learning.

🌿 Featured Oils & Products

• Hawaiian Sandalwood (ʻIliahi)

• Frankincense, Serenity, Balance, Copaiba

• dōTERRA Reforestation & Co-Impact Sourcing Initiatives

📅 Upcoming Events & Offers

• Ongoing: ʻIliahi Reforestation Project — goal of 1 million trees by 2030

• February 2024: Plant Speak Courses

• Weekly: Essential Wellness Podcast — Mondays at 10 AM PT

✨ Summary

This special episode celebrates dōTERRA's Hawaiian Sandalwood Project and its holistic impact on wellness, culture, and the environment. Through reforestation, education, and mindful sourcing, ʻIliahi embodies the harmony between nature, community, and healing — reminding us that when we care for the land, we nurture the soul.

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Essential Wellness Podcast: Your weekly drop for essential oils and everyday wellness.

This podcast is for anyone who wants to feel confident using doTERRA essential oils—for your health, your home, and your everyday life. Each week, our Essential Wellness Collective will share simple tips, recipes, and protocols to make oils easy to understand and effortless to use.

👉 Find us on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts—and please share with a friend who loves natural wellness! Learn More & sign up for our weekly drop at www.essentialwellness.life

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Contact Email: [email protected]

Aisha Harley- www.aishaharley.com / Instagram @essentialwellness.podcast @aisha.essentialwellness