Absolute Essential Brand's Story
A doctor of Osteopathy and Naturopathy with qualifications in Aromatic Medicine from France, Bo came to New Zealand 35 years ago with two young children (a 3 year old and a 3 month old), a backpack and $50 in her pocket. Early on, while setting up her holistic healthcare practice here, Bo struggled to find the level of quality, pure-state essential oils that she needed (and that she’d been used to dealing with in France) in order to operate her clinic professionally. So she decided to source her own – and Absolute Essential was born.
Starting small, Bo used a back room in her home to create the original Absolute Essential foundation range. Then, in an effort to achieve a greater degree of sustainable green business practice, she moved from the city to the countryside and focused on growing Absolute Essential into the world-leading, organic and vegan certified therapeutic plant oil producer that it is today.
Bo’s founding pledge for the company was to source and protect the world’s finest natural plant extracts for maximum therapeutic value. And her vision: to make a positive and permanent difference to people’s lives. 30+ years on, this dream has been realised. Giving you - our customer - not only access to world-class therapeutic plant oils and a direct in-road to safe, confident use, but also active membership in a visionary, sustainable business, supporting traditional, artisan communities around the globe.
----
At Absolute Essential we are passionate about holistic health and wellbeing – not just for you, but for the planet we live on. We believe that everything in the natural world is interconnected, and that it’s simply not possible to nurture authentic health in one living being with a process that may be damaging to another.
So, from the quality of our products to the sustainability of our packaging, from our fair trade and cruelty-free practices to our conservation efforts, we make sure we take the green approach, and do the right thing. Always. Every item you purchase from Absolute Essential has been lovingly and carefully crafted adhering to the following earth-friendly principals:
• We source organic or wild-grown ingredients originating in 56 countries worldwide, and deal direct with our suppliers to support small-hold, eco-friendly businesses, making conscious choices to benefit future generations.
• The final crafting of the raw materials takes place at our in-house certified organic factory, following stringent production protocols and with the utmost attention to detail.
• We plant trees for air miles. Practice a 'zero-waste' recycling policy. Employ on-site workers locally where we can. And practice conscious consumption day to day, from choosing eco-lights to low-volume printing on recycled stock.
-----
Built on eco-friendly and sustainability principles, Absolute Essential is a company that has been recognised for its efforts time and again. This includes winning Natural Products New Zealand’s Sustainability Award for three years running, and also being crowned with the Natural Products New Zealand’s inaugural Supreme Business Award for exemplary conduct as a professional sustainable business.
While we are not out to collect accolades particularly (our main priority is you) these awards do reflect our dedication and commitment to operating in an environmentally and socially conscious manner. Walking the walk.
-----
Founding director of Absolute Essential, Dr Bo Hendgen D.O. N.D. A.M. is a qualified Naturopath, Osteopath and Aromatic Medicine practitioner with over 35 years of hands-on, clinical experience.
Her holistic healthcare clinic has been an integral part of Absolute Essential’s operational development right from the start. And the inspiration for every product within our range stems directly from hands-on experience in this registered medicinal practice.
Bo is a passionate advocate of the health benefits of her trade, and has worked with clients from all walks of life, resolving all manner of issues (with a specialist focus on maternity and pediatrics). She's considered not only a pioneer but also an expert in the field of aromatic medicine (in NZ and internationally) and her knowledge, skill and intuitive flair are evident in the crafting of her unique prescription blends.
“Therapeutic essential oils show beautiful symmetry of effort and reward. By supporting the natural balance of resilience and restoration in the plant world, we obtain oils that effectively nurture our own capacity for natural resilience and restoration.”
– Dr Bo Hendgen
.