Sustainability and Traceability

Sustainability & Traceability

Younis Aroma’s Commitment from Source to Shipment

At Younis Aroma, sustainability is not just a practice it is our guiding philosophy. From the way we source every ingredient to the way we engage with local communities, we ensure that nature’s resources are respected, replenished, and protected. Through advanced scientific traceability, every drop of aroma can be tracked back to its origin, guaranteeing authenticity, purity, and ethical integrity. This commitment allows us to craft products that honor the earth, empower people, and deliver uncompromised quality with complete transparency.

Legacy of Sustainability

Nature’s Wisdom, Human Responsibility

Setting a New Standard in Sustainability

At Younis Aroma, every drop embodies a story of stewardship and respect. We believe that true beauty comes from harmony with the earth, which is why our practices are rooted in sustainable harvesting, rigorous scientific traceability, and the empowerment of local communities. By uniting tradition with innovation, we safeguard nature’s most precious gifts while ensuring that their richness endures. Each essence we craft is more than an aroma it is a testament to responsibility, integrity, and a future where people and planet thrive together.

Sustainability Born of Ingenuity

The Younis Aroma Legacy

Long before sustainability became a global standard, the people of Puntland safeguarded their land through practical wisdom, respect for nature, and community-driven stewardship. At Younis Aroma, our story begins with this untapped ingenuity where generations of harvesters developed sustainable methods to protect Frankincense trees, rested groves, and shared knowledge to ensure the continuity of both the trees and their communities. Building on this foundation, Younis Aroma blends ancestral practices with modern science implementing voucher specimen systems, transparent traceability, and rigorous education programs. Our approach honors the legacy of those who have cared for the land for centuries, while setting new benchmarks for ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility. This enduring partnership between people and nature is not only our heritage, but the standard we bring to the world.

Whispers Through the Ages

The Living Bond Between Land, People, and Legacy

For millennia, the Frankincense trees of Puntland have stood as silent witnesses to a covenant between land and people a covenant forged not in policy or certification, but in daily acts of care, restraint, and wisdom. Every drop of Younis Aroma oil, every piece of resin, is the living proof of this legacy: a tradition where sustainability was practiced long before it was named, and where the ingenuity of local communities quietly protected what the world now rushes to preserve. As global standards strive to catch up, Younis Aroma’s products carry within them the spirit of a people who have always known that true stewardship means thinking beyond one’s own time nurturing the earth so that its gifts endure for generations yet to come.

Where Nature and Community Thrive Together

Setting a New Benchmark for Ethical Sourcing

At Younis Aroma, the story of Frankincense is inseparable from the land and the communities that have cared for it for generations. Our work is grounded in the belief that true sustainability is achieved when nature and people thrive together in harmony. In Puntland, Somalia, Frankincense trees are more than a resource they are a living heritage, nurtured by careful hands and deep-rooted traditions. Our harvesters, guided by ancestral knowledge and supported by scientific training, ensure that every tree is tapped with respect for its natural rhythms and regeneration cycles. Through community education, equitable benefit sharing, and transparent traceability, we empower local families and safeguard the fragile ecosystems on which they depend. This integrated approach does more than protect a centuries-old tradition; it sets a global example for ethical sourcing and environmental stewardship. By honoring both nature and its people, Younis Aroma delivers products that are not only pure and traceable,but also embody a model of responsible trade that benefits communities and preserves biodiversity. In a world seeking authenticity, ethical practices, and environmental responsibility, our commitment to harmony offers a pathway to sustainable prosperity connecting conscious buyers everywhere to the legacy and future of Frankincense.

Sustainable Harvesting Practices

Traditional Knowledge and Modern Approaches

50% Tree Rest Policy

Supported partner farms rest 50% of trees each season to protect long-term health.

Education & Harvester Training

Training programs to teach sustainable methods and empower local communities.

Fair Benefit Sharing

50% of harvest value is paid directly to harvesters, with no deductions

Non-Invasive Collection

Resin is collected manually using techniques that protect the trees.

No Chemical Inputs

No synthetic substances or banned chemicals are used at any stage.

Research & Tree Health

Ongoing field research on plantation health and disease prevention.

Geo-tagging & Documentation

All trees and harvests are documented and GPS-tagged for transparency.

Scientific Traceability

Building Trust Through Transparent Research Records

Botanical Authentication

Every batch is authenticated by botanists and tracked through a plant voucher specimen system, developed with Dr. Trish Flaster.

Voucher Specimen Cataloguing

Voucher specimens are pressed, GPS-tagged, and catalogued as permanent scientific records.

Farm-to-Final Product Traceability

Each shipment is fully traceable from its source farm to the final packaged product.

Shipment Documentation

Digital and physical documents accompany every shipment for buyer confidence.

Audit-Ready & Transparent

All field data is audit-ready and available for independent third-party review.

Supply Chain Transparency

Making Ethical Sourcing Visible and Verifiable

Instructions

Harvesting by Local Communities

Sustainably harvested by trained local communities using traditional, ethical techniques rooted in ancestral knowledge.

Sustainable Transport

Materials are transported using traditional and environmentally responsible methods, minimizing carbon footprint.

Cleaning, Packing & Documentation

Each batch undergoes rigorous cleaning and careful packing, with detailed documentation prepared for traceability and compliance.

Distillation & Storage in the UK

The raw materials are distilled and stored in certified UK facilities that uphold the highest quality and safety standards.

Monitoring & Auditing

Every step is carefully monitored, fully documented, and independently audited to ensure strict organic and ethical compliance.

Certifications & Compliance

Certified for Ethical and Sustainable Practices

Community Empowerment & Impact

Strengthening Communities Through Inclusive Initiatives

Direct benefit sharing: 50% of harvest value paid to collectors

10% of profits donated to Somali social projects

Community education and training (see Educational Programs)

Investment in local schools, infrastructure, and health

Ongoing partnership with elders, landowners, and scientific partners

10% of profits reinvested in Somali social projects

PGRA & Government Endorsement

Endorsed by Authorities, Trusted by Communities

The Puntland Gums and Resins Association (PGRA), co-founded by our leadership, unites elders, farmers, youth, and government. This ensures that innovation, plantation, and ecosystem preservation are community-driven and government-approved.