The ‘purple revolution’ that began with farmers cultivating lavender on the scenic slopes of a town in Jammu and Kashmir is gaining momentum, as scientists at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine delve into the medicinal properties of these fragrant flowering plants.
Researchers at the Jammu-based institute are specifically focusing on the residue left behind after extracting oil from the lavender flowers using a steam distillation process called ‘marc’. This research holds the potential to be a game changer for the farmers in the region, which has earned the moniker ‘Lavender Valley’ due to the enchanting sight of purple blooms adorning the hilly slopes.
“Lavender oil already commands a price of Rs 10,000 per litre for farmers, but we are now concentrating on value-addition interventions and studying the byproducts generated during the oil extraction process,” stated Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM.
Since 2017, farmers in this picturesque town, nestled amidst the Sonbain and Ashapati glaciers in the Himalayan ranges, have enthusiastically embraced lavender farming, following the launch of the Aroma Mission by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The Aroma Mission aims to harness the benefits of essential oils derived from aromatic plants.
Lavender oil is known for its calming and stress-relieving properties, and it is widely used in perfumes and cosmetics. CSIR-IIIM has also collaborated with CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology in Hyderabad to explore the potential use of lavender oil in treating sleep disorders.
The focus of the research at CSIR-IIIM is on isolating and characterizing the molecules present in the marc, the residue left after oil extraction. Scientists have already identified a few new molecules, and further investigations are being conducted on their bioactivity, including potential anti-cancer properties.
If proven effective, the health benefits derived from the marc could be highly lucrative for the farmers. Additionally, the steam distillation process also yields hydrosol, a lavender-scented water that can be utilized in the production of room sprays, bathroom fresheners, and body sprays. Dried stalks of lavender flowers, which retain their fragrance for an extended period, also have a thriving market.
Alongside lavender, the Aroma Mission seeks to promote scientific research and development in the cultivation of other aromatic plants such as rose, lemon grass, rosemary, and wild marigold.
The exploration of lavender’s medicinal potential and the utilization of its byproducts signify a significant step forward in the ‘purple revolution’ that has captured the attention of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, opening doors to new opportunities and sustainable agricultural practices in the region.
