How essential oils and a collective mark are driving an Amazonian Indigenous entrepreneurship in Ecuador.
The scents of lemongrass and ishpingo, also known as Amazonian cinnamon, fill the distillation plant before the first drop of oil emerges. For Clemencia Alvarado and Erika Guatatoca, a mother-and-daughter duo, that aroma is more than a product: it is the memory of a community that learned how to rise through intergenerational transitions.
The community of Nueva Esperanza is located in the Napo Province of the Ecuadorian Amazon. In this living rainforest, Sumak Yaku (“Water That Gives Life” in English), a community-based association called Asosumku (Asociación Agroartesanal Sumak Yaku) was born. Led by Amazonian Kichwa Indigenous Peoples, Asosumku is dedicated to the production of essential oils, rooted in curiosity and traditional knowledge.
They recall that in the early 2000s, the founders of the association, among them Zoila Alvarado, a community leader with a vision for the future, applied for an international cooperation project through which they unexpectedly received large distillation boilers as a donation. Having not used this equipment before, the association consulted with some industrial experts and learned they could produce essential oils utilizing this equipment.
Natural essential oils made from Amazon’s rainforest plants
Inspired by the scents of the rainforest and their everyday crops, alongside traditional knowledge passed down within the community about the medicinal and aromatic properties of local plants, they first attempted to distill lemongrass, which later became their flagship product. Excited by the possibilities, they concluded: “If the leaf of lemongrass produces oil, then other leaves must produce oil too.”. They then began distilling “ishpingo”, as well as lemon and orange peels.
“We wanted to build something sustainable that would care for nature and allow us to live in harmony with the environment”, as recalled by the association members.
Participant to an Intellectual Property training program for Indigenous women entrepreneurs
In 2022, Clemencia, a long-standing member of the association, was one of those designated by leadership to apply to the “Training, Mentoring and Matchmaking Program on Intellectual Property for Women Entrepreneurs from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru” (Andean WEP) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
After acceptance into the Andean WEP, Clemencia traveled to Quito with another association member. She remembers that the speakers and facilitators were patient, despite language barriers, as her primary language is Kichwa Amazónico rather than Spanish, and that she returned to her community with much more than a training experience. Following the workshop, they received mentorship support and the possibility opened up to receive assistance through the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT/Japan IP Global) to further their association collective enterprise.
An intergenerational leadership transition for Asosumku
For Clemencia, navigating the subsequent administrative and follow-up processes after the workshop remained challenging. Her daughter Erika’s involvement, however, enabled the project to move forward, turning it into an intergenerational effort.
Erika’s path into leadership was shaped not only within her family but through broader community mentorship. Growing up, she observed the collective work of her community and was inspired by her godmother, Zoila Alvarado, one of the founders of the association’s essential oils enterprise.
Zoila encouraged her to take a greater part within the association, and when she passed away, Erika felt inspired to continue her legacy by stepping into a leadership role. This allowed her to bridge generations within the association, ensuring continuity while supporting its ongoing development.
Registering “Sumak Yaku” as an aromatherapy collective mark
The process of registering “Sumak Yaku” as a collective mark was not easy. There were additional documents to collect, and virtual meetings to attend despite limited connectivity in the community. Clemencia and Erika recall that their Andean WEP mentor supported them in legal decision-making and in mapping out the necessary documentation.
Additionally, Ecuador’s National Service for Intellectual Rights (SENADI) was in contact with them, providing guidance throughout the registration process for their collective mark.
Today, the collective mark has enabled Clemencia’s and Erika’s association to establish a stronger commercial presence in the market and with their clients.
Support in making Amazonian essential oils
After receiving additional support from FIT/Japan IP Global, they vividly recall the arrival of the equipment requested following a collective assessment in which association members evaluated what would truly strengthen their collective mark and long-term business sustainability. The support included display cases, tents, chairs, heat-resistant gloves, and technological tools to enhance their online presence and promote their products. In practice, these additions translated into greater safety, organization, and confidence within the distillation plant, while establishing a foundation for sustainable, long-term growth.
“What we received has been very helpful for the community and for the association, especially for the people who work in the distillation plant. Before, it was more difficult: the gloves we had worn out quickly, and the heat still passed through, causing burns. Now, with the gloves and boots we have, we can handle the hot boilers more safely and without that concern. It gives us more peace of mind to work better.”
This improvement in working conditions also reinforced the purpose behind what they produce. Sumak Yaku’s essential oils are not only intended for the market but also to promote people’s well-being. They share, for example, that lemongrass is a natural calming agent, ideal for those who suffer from insomnia, menstrual cramps, and other stress-related ailments. Likewise, they promote Amazonian cinnamon as a scent that, according to their traditional knowledge, attracts abundance and health.
Promoting Sumak Yaku and the Ecuadorian Amazon
More recently, thanks to the communication equipment they received, they have improved the quality of their promotional videos on social media platforms such as TikTok, resulting in greater visibility. Before this upgrade, videos recorded on an older mobile phone were blurry and received little engagement. With the new equipment, image quality improved, and the products are better showcased. Their follower numbers have increased, as well as their social media post engagement. Currently, their three most recent videos have surpassed 40,000 views. In addition, people are writing via WhatsApp to inquire about the uses of the oils and whether international orders are available.
Today, their products ship beyond their local customer base to major cities across Ecuador, including Quito, Riobamba, and Baños. More recently, the association’s products reached Colombia. At a fair in Colombia, their lemongrass oil sparked great interest and sold out quickly, with several customers inquiring about points of sale in Colombia.
A recent milestone was the opportunity to bring their essential oils to Quito following an invitation from SENADI, on the occasion of the visit of WIPO’s Director General. They recall with pride representing the Ecuadorian Amazon and how the Andean WEP, together with the support received from FIT/Japan IP Global, has benefited their Indigenous entrepreneurship and collective mark, laying the foundation for sustainable growth.
Making Sumak Yaku fragrances with plant-based essential oils
In 2026, the association looks ahead to expanding its product line to include essential oil derivatives in products such as soaps, candles, and aromatic products. They also hope to increase the number of association members and generate employment for more people in their community. Through this collective enterprise, they seek to continue preserving medicinal plants, guided by a vision of caring for Mother Earth.
When asked to share a message for other Indigenous entrepreneurs, Clemencia and Erika smile and say:
“Don’t be afraid to dream big and work together toward your goals. Unity and mutual support are key to achieving anything. When challenges come, don’t give up, see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Your culture and traditions are a real treasure, and they can be the foundation for creating something meaningful and unique.”