Essentially Africa began with a simple belief: there is beauty in the plant itself, waiting to be discovered.
Founded in South Africa in 2016, our journey grew from working with aromatic plants and steam distillation. Time among the plants taught us to pay attention—to their individual character, the care of the process, and the subtle changes that patience can bring.
That closeness to the botanical remains at the heart of everything we do.
During lockdown, our rose geranium botanical distillate found its way into people’s daily routines. Customers shared their experiences, returned for more, and continued asking for it after it was no longer available on our website.
Their response stayed with us. It encouraged us to explore the everyday value of a botanical that had long been part of our distillation work.
Essentially Africa grew through those conversations—and through the people who made our botanicals part of their lives.
Our work begins with plant material and steam. Distillation produces two distinct expressions of the botanical: its concentrated essential oil and its aromatic distillate.
Over time, we observed how resting our rose geranium distillate softened its aroma, allowing a gentler character to emerge. That discovery inspired our Rested Botanical Distillate.
Patience became part of our approach. We continue to learn through careful observation, customer experience and respect for the plants we work with.
Our Signature Collection introduces rose geranium and our distinctive South African eucalyptus—a welcoming place to begin exploring natural botanicals.
Through everyday use and shared experiences, our community is learning about botanical distillates and essential oils, their differences, and the care needed to make them part of a personal ritual.
Every question, repeat purchase and shared story helps shape what comes next. As the collection grows, we want each new botanical to arrive with understanding: where it comes from, what gives it character, and how to use it.
Explore the Signature Collection
Our ambition reaches beyond the collection you see today.
Through our work with the Wild Harvesting Exchange (WHE), we aim to demonstrate that responsible wild harvesting can support useful botanical products, practical skills and economic opportunities.
The Signature Collection is an important first step in that journey. It gives people the opportunity to experience botanicals, learn about them and build confidence in what we offer. That understanding creates a foundation for introducing future WHE products as they are assessed and developed.
Our aim is to connect the work of harvesting and distillation with products that people choose, value and return to.
We will share that progress with care—introducing new botanicals with clear information about their origins, character and intended uses.
The journey begins with a botanical you come to know—and grows through the confidence to discover another.
Botanical rituals shaped by steam, time, and intention.
