Lavender Himalayan Cashmere Essential Oil

Lavandula officinalis, commonly known as true lavender, is a commercially cultivated species in the Lamiaceae (Labiateae) family.Lavender is a hardy, temperate plant that grows well in well-chilled temperatures and moderately warm summers and requires minimal irrigation. Areas without the effects of winter with high temperatures are not suitable for cultivation. Since lavender grows best under agro-climatic conditions in Kashmir, at least one or two irrigations are required during the non-rainy season. The oil is valuable for its wide range of usefulness, including its antiseptic and bacteriocidal properties. High flower yield and oil content (1.0-1.2%) suggest that the Kashmir Valley in India is a suitable place to establish this industry. The Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu and its branch in Srinagar (formerly Regional Research Laboratory) have developed a variety with high oil content and excellent quality profile. It is now labeled as Kashmir Lavender in the international market and is ideally suited for temperate conditions in Kashmir. Due to the development of agro-technology, Himalayan Lavender produced in Pulwama, Kashmir, meets international standards and is regularly sold to the perfumery industry (Kashmir website).

Lavender was introduced to the agroclimatic conditions of India in 1957. The Kashmir Valley was viewed as a favorable zone for its establishment and much of the success goes to Sir Col. RN Chopra. Programs of expansion and improvement regarding lavender followed, but at a very slow pace due to various complications. ..