Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Review Articles

Vol. 12 No. sp1 (2025): Recent Advances in Agriculture by Young Minds - II

Lavender and Purple Revolution: A review on the crop potential to boost and empower farming communities of North-Western Himalayas

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.9943
Submitted
9 June 2025
Published
26-09-2025

Abstract

Lavender (Lavandula spp.), a perennial flowering plant known for its distinctive aroma and medicinal properties, has been popularized all over the world. Lavender has its depictions in the ancient literature of Greeks and Romans as an herb with calming, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which can help with stress relief, sleep, skin care and overall wellness. France, Bulgaria and India are the major lavender producers, with the latter experiencing a significant upsurge in commercial cultivation as a part of the Purple Revolution in recent years. With the objective of empowering farmers through improved socioeconomic development, higher income and sustainable farming, the Indian government launched the ‘Purple Revolution’ under CSIR Aroma Mission in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Lavender cultivation has improved environmental sustainability by fostering biodiversity, reducing soil erosion and adding richness to the agricultural landscape of India. Lavender cultivation has huge commercial potential as it is becoming an important component of a number of medicinal and aromatic industries due to increased consumer demand for natural and organic products. Hence, the expansion of lavender cultivation during the Purple Revolution offers improved agri-entrepreneurship opportunities for international trade and financial prosperity for farming communities.

References

  1. 1. Anonymous. Bhaderwah has emerged as the Lavender capital of India and Agri StartUp destination, says Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh. Press Information Bureau. 2023. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1929731
  2. 2. Kakraliya SS, Jeet S, Verma I, Choskit D, Kumawat PK. A source of doubling farmers income of lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir. Just Agric. 2022;2(5):1-7. https://justagriculture.in/archives-newsletter/january-2022-newsletter/
  3. 3. Toma F. Floriculture and floral art. vol II, Invel Multimedia, Bucharest. 2009. p. 129.
  4. 4. Szekely-Varga Z, Hitter T, Cantor M. The healing power and the uses in landscape design of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). Hop and Medicinal Plants. 2017;25(1-2):47-55. https://doi.org/10.15835/hpm.v25i1-2.12878
  5. 5. Lis-Balchin M, editor. Lavender: The genus Lavandula. London: CRC Press; 2002. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203216521
  6. 6. Bernáth J. Gyógy- és aromanövények. Budapest: Mezőgazda Kiadó. 2000. p. 384-9.
  7. 7. Draghia L, Chelariu L. Floriculture. Iasi: Ion Ionescu de la Brad. 2012.
  8. 8. Chu CJ, Kemper KJ. Lavender (Lavandula spp.). Longwood herbal task force. 2001. p. 32. http://www.longwoodherbal.org/lavender/lavender.pdf
  9. 9. Simpson MG. Plant systematics. 1st ed. Burlington (MA): Elsevier Academic Press. Review in: Syst Bot. 2006;31(3):631-2. https://doi.org/10.1043/0363-6445-31.3.631
  10. 10. Hank B. Gardens for the senses: Gardening as therapy. Rio Rancho (NM): Petals & Pages Press. 2013. p. 148.
  11. 11. Muntean LS, Tămas M, Muntean S, Muntean L, Duda MM, Vârban DI, et al. Treatise of cultivated and spontaneous medicinal plants. Cluj-Napoca: Risoprint. 2016;24(1-2):79-81. https://doi.org/10.15835/hpm.v24i12.12605
  12. 12. Crișan I, Ona A, Vârban D, Muntean L, Vârban R, Stoie A, Mihăiescu T, Morea A. Current trends for lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) crops and products with emphasis on essential oil quality. Plants. 2023;12(2):357. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020357
  13. 13. Basch E, Foppa I, Liebowitz R, Nelson J, Smith M, Sollars D, Ulbricht C. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia miller). J Herb Pharmacotherapy. 2004;4(2):63-78. https://doi.org/10.1300/J157v04n02_07
  14. 14. Ghazanfar SA. Handbook of Arabian medicinal plants. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 1994. https://doi.org/10.1201/b14834
  15. 15. Duke JA. Crc handbook of medicinal herbs. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1990;5(1):74. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004850-199001000-00014
  16. 16. Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of aromatherapy: successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol. 1998;134(11):1349-52. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349
  17. 17. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg (Sweden): AB Arcanum. 1988. p. 362.
  18. 18. Combest WL. Alternative therapies: lavender. U S Pharm. 1999;24:24–33.
  19. 19. Hoffmann D. The complete illustrated holistic herbal: A safe and practical guide to making and using herbal remedies. New York (NY): Barnes & Noble. 1996.
  20. 20. Fleming T, editor. PDR for herbal medicines. 1st ed. Montvale (NJ): Medical Economics Company. 1998. https://archive.org/details/pdrforherbalmedi00joer
  21. 21. Barrett PR. Growing & Using Lavender. Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-155. Storey Publishing. 1996. p. 32.
  22. 22. Szejtli J, Kulcsar G, KERNOCZY L. β-Cyclodextrin complexes in talc powder compositions. Cosmetics and toiletries. 1986;101(10):74-9.
  23. 23. Giray FH. An analysis of world lavender oil markets and lessons for Turkey. J Essent Oil-Bear Plants. 2018;21(6):1612-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/0972060X.2019.1574612
  24. 24. Vokou D, Vareltzidou S, Katinakis P. Effects of aromatic plants on potato storage: sprout suppression and antimicrobial activity. Agric Ecosyst Environ. 1993;47(3):223-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8809(93)90124-8
  25. 25. Sharma RN, Gupta AS, Patwardhan SA, Hebbalkar DS, Tare V, Bhonde SB. Bioactivity of Lamiaceae plants against insects. Indian J Exp Biol. 1992;30:244–6.
  26. 26. Buchbauer G, Jirovetz L, Jäger W. Aromatherapy: Evidence for sedative effects of the essential oil of lavender after inhalation. Z Naturforsch C. 1991;46(11-12):1067-72. https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-1991-11-1223
  27. 27. Kashani MS, Tavirani MR, Talaei SA, Salami M. Aqueous extract of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) improves the spatial performance of a rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Neurosci Bull. 2011;27(2):99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-011-1149-7
  28. 28. Segen JC. Dictionary of alternative medicine. Stamford (CT): Appleton & Lange; 1998. p. 407.
  29. 29. Viuda-Martos M, Mohamady MA, Fernández-López J, Abd ElRazik KA, Omer EA, Pérez-Alvarez JA, et al. In vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essentials oils obtained from Egyptian aromatic plants. Food control. 2011;22(11):1715-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2011.04.003
  30. 30. Umezu T. Behavioral effects of plant-derived essential oils in the Geller type conflict test in mice. Jpn J Pharmacol. 2000;83(2):150-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-5198(19)30610-9
  31. 31. Chaytor DA. A taxonomic study of the genus Lavandula. J Linn Soc Bot. 1937;51:153-204. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.1937.tb01906.x
  32. 32. Ali B, Al-Wabel NA, Shams S, Ahamad A, Khan SA, Anwar F. Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2015;5(8):601-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.05.007
  33. 33. Hassiotis CN, Tarantilis PA, Daferera D, Polissiou MG. Etherio. A new variety of Lavandula angustifolia with improved essential oil production and composition from natural selected genotypes growing in Greece. Ind Crop Prod. 2010;32(2):77-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2010.03.004
  34. 34. Gallotte P, Fremondière G, Gallois P, Bernier JP, Buchwalder A, Walton A, et al. Lavandula angustifolia Mill. and Lavandula × intermedia Emeric ex Loisel: lavender and lavandin. In: Medicinal, aromatic and stimulant plants. Cham: Springer International Publishing. 2020. p. 303-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38792-1_6
  35. 35. Mason J. Growing and Knowing Lavender. Nerang (QLD, Australia): ACS Distance Education. 2014. p. 117.
  36. 36. Platt ES. Lavender: How to grow and use the fragrant herb. Mechanicsburg (PA): Stackpole Books; USA. 2009.
  37. 37. Batra P. Lavender cultivation guide: season, seed rate, field preparation, transplanting and irrigation. Krishi Jagran. 2022.
  38. 38. Coltun M. Step-by-Step Creation of a Lavender Plantation. J Bot. 2016;8:76-80.
  39. 39. Vârban R, Vârban DI, Stoie A, Bogdan I, Odagiu A, Ghete A. Identification of weed species present in lavender crops (Lavandula angustifolia L.) and (Mentha piperita L.) from the UASVM Cluj-Napoca Campus. Hop Med Plants. 2018;26:101-114. https://doi.org/10.15835/hpm.v26i1-2.13238
  40. 40. Wilson TM, Poulson A, Packer C, Carlson RE, Buch RM. Essential oil profile and yield of corolla, calyx, leaf and whole flowering top of cultivated Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (Lamiaceae) from Utah. Molecules. 2021;26(8):2343. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26082343
  41. 41. Giannoulis KD, Evangelopoulos V, Gougoulias N, Wogiatzi E. Lavender organic cultivation yield and essential oil can be improved by using bio-stimulants. Acta Agric Scand B Soil Plant Sci. 2020;70:648-656. https://doi.org/10.1080/09064710.2020.1833974
  42. 42. Détár E, Zámbori-Németh É, Gosztola B, Harmath A, Ladányi M, Pluhár Z. Ontogenesis and harvest time are crucial for high quality lavender-role of the flower development in essential oil properties. Ind Crops Prod. 2021;163:113334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.113334
  43. 43. Wells R, Truong F, Adal AM, Sarker LS, Mahmoud SS. Lavandula essential oils: aAcurrent review of applications in medicinal, food and cosmetic industries of lavender. Nat Prod Commun. 2018;13(10):1-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X1801301038
  44. 44. Worwood VA. Aromatherapy for the healthy child: more than 300 natural, nontoxic and fragrant essential oil blends. Novato (CA): New World Library. 2012.
  45. 45. Krishna A, Tiwari R, Kumar S. Aromatherapy-an alternative health care through essential oils. J Med Aromat Plant Sci. 2000;798-804. 10.5555/20013071731
  46. 46. Song X, Peng J, Jiang W, Ye M, Jiang L. Effects of aromatherapy on sleep disorders: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. 2021;100(17):e25727. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000025727
  47. 47. Aliasgharpour M, Abbaszadeh R, Mohammadi N, Kazemnejad A. Effect of lavender aromatherapy on the pain of arteriovenous fistula puncture in patients on hemodialysis. Nurs Pract Today. 2016;3(1):26-30. https://npt.tums.ac.ir/index.php/npt/article/view/125
  48. 48. Farrar AJ, Farrar FC. Clinical aromatherapy. Nurs Clin North Am. 2020;55(4):489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015
  49. 49. Wolfe N and Herzberg J. Can aromatherapy oils promote sleep in severely demented patients?. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 1996;11(10):926-7.https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1166(199610)11:10<926::AIDGPS473>3.0.CO;2-1
  50. 50. Hardy M, Kirk-Smith M, Stretch D. Replacement of drug treatment for insomnia by ambient odour. The Lancet. 1995;346(8976):701. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(95)92310-1
  51. 51. Hudson R. Use of lavender in a long-term elderly ward. Nurs Times. 1995;91(1):12.
  52. 52. Hudson R. The value of lavender for rest and activity in the elderly patient. Complement Ther Med. 1996;4(1):52-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0965-2299(96)80057-4
  53. 53. Motomura N, Sakurai A, Yotsuya Y. A psychophysiological study of lavender odorant. Memoirs of Osaka Kyoiku University Series III Natural Science & Applied Science. 1999;47:281-287. https://naturalingredient.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/KJ472300281.pdf
  54. 54. Dunn C, Sleep J, Collett D. Sensing an improvement: An experimental study to evaluate the use of aromatherapy, massage and periods of rest in an intensive care unit. J Adv Nurs. 1995;21(1):34-40. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1995.21010034.x
  55. 55. Diego MA, Jones NA, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, et al. Aromatherapy positively affects mood, EEG patterns of alertness and math computations. Int J Neurosci. 1998;96(3-4):217-24. https://doi.org/10.3109/00207459808986469
  56. 56. Ching M. Contemporary therapy: Aromatherapy in the management of acute pain?. Contemp Nurse. 1999;8(4):146-51. https://doi.org/10.5172/conu.1999.8.4.146
  57. 57. Gorji A. Pharmacological treatment of headache using traditional Persian medicine. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2003;24(7):331-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-6147(03)00164-0
  58. 58. Adaszy´ nska-Skwirzy´ nska M, Szczerbi´ nska D. The effect of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil as a drinking water supplement on the production performance, blood biochemical parameters and ileal microflora in broiler chickens. Poult Sci. 2019;98: 358–365. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pey350
  59. 59. Hui L, He L, Huan L, XiaoLan L, AiGuo Z. Chemical composition of lavender essential oil and its antioxidant activity and inhibition against rhinitis-related bacteria. Afr J Microbiol Res. 2010;4(4):309-13. https://academicjournals.org/journal/AJMR/article-full-text-pdf/7E1D8A42867
  60. 60. Moon T, Cavanagh, M.A, Wilkinson JM. Antiparasitic activity of two Lavandula essential oils against Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Hexamita inflate. Parasitol Res. 2006;99(6):722-728. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26082343
  61. 61. Denner SS. Lavandula angustifolia miller: english lavender. Holist Nurs Pract. 2009;23(1):57-64. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.HNP.0000343210.56710.fc
  62. 62. Gilani AH, Aziz N, Khan MA, Shaheen F, Jabeen Q, Siddiqui BS, et al. Ethnopharmacological evaluation of the anticonvulsant, sedative and antispasmodic activities of Lavandula stoechas L. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;71(1-2):161-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(99)00198-1
  63. 63. Hritcu L, Cioanca O, Hancianu M. Effects of lavender oil inhalation on improving scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in laboratory rats. Phytomedicine. 2012;19(6):529-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2012.02.002
  64. 64. Hartman D, Coetzee JC. Two US practitioners' experience of using essential oils for wound care. J Wound Care. 2002;11(8):317-20. https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2002.11.8.26432
  65. 65. Wang D, Yuan X, Liu T, Liu L, Hu Y, Wang Z, et al. Neuroprotective activity of lavender oil on transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Molecules. 2012;17(8):9803-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules17089803
  66. 66. Shaw D, Annett JM, Doherty B, Leslie JC. Anxiolytic effects of lavender oil inhalation on open-field behaviour in rats. Phytomedicine. 2007;14(9):613-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2007.03.007
  67. 67. Cavanagh HM, Wilkinson JM. Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytother Res. 2002;16(4):301-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1103
  68. 68. Kim NS, Lee DD. Comparison of different extraction method for the analysis of fragrance from Lavandula species by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A. 2002;982:31-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9673(02)01445-0
  69. 69. Jager W. Percutaneous absorption of lavender oil from massage oil. J Soc Cosmet Chem. 1992;4:49. https://www.naturalingredient.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/p00049-p00054.pdf
  70. 70. Stanojević L, Stanković M, Cakić M, Nikolić V, Nikolić L, Ilić D, et al. The effect of hydrodistillation techniques on yield, kinetics, composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils from flowers of Lavandula officinalis L. Hem Industry. 2011;65(4):455-463. https://doi.org/10.2298/HEMIND110129047S
  71. 71. Dudareva N, Pichersky E, Gershenzon J. Biochemistry of plant volatiles. Plant Physiol. 2004;135(4):1893-902. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.104.049981
  72. 72. Skendi A, Irakli M, Chatzopoulou P, Bouloumpasi E, Biliaderis CG. Phenolic extracts from solid wastes of the aromatic plant essential oil industry: Potential uses in food applications. Food Chem Adv. 2022;1:100065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focha.2022.100065
  73. 73. Prusinowska R, Smigielski K, Stobiecka A, Kunicka-Styczy´ nska A. Hydrolates from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)—their chemical composition as well as aromatic, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Nat Prod Res. 2016;30:386–393. 10.1080/14786419.2015.1016939
  74. 74. Jigău R, Imbrea F, Pașcalău R, Smuleac L. Lavender and its modern use in food industry nowadays. Res J Agric Sci. 2023;55(2). https://rjas.ro/download/paper_version.paper_file.851b883c8e639819.SklHQVUucGRm.pdf
  75. 75. Jianu C, Pop G, Gruia AT, Horhat FG. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and lavandin (Lavandula × intermedia) grown in Western Romania. Int J Agric Biol. 2013;15(4):772-6. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/abs/10.5555/20133240844
  76. 76. Gharib FA, Badr SE, Al-Ghazali BA, Zahran MK. Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of lavender and marjoram essential oils. Egypt J Chem. 2013;56:1-24. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejchem.2013.1071
  77. 77. Hussain AI, Anwar F, Iqbal T, Bhatti IA. Antioxidant attributes of four Lamiaceae essential oils. Pak J Bot. 2011;43(2):1315-21.
  78. 78. Iriti M, Colnaghi G, Chemat F, Smadja J, Faoro F, Visinoni FA. Histo-cytochemistry and scanning electron microscopy of lavender glandular trichomes following conventional and microwave-assisted hydro distillation of essential oils: a comparative study. Flavour Fragr J. 2006;21(4):704-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ffj.1692
  79. 79. Zsolt SV, Cantor M. Lavender an Admired Shrub by Landscapers. Pro Environment. 2019;12:328-32. https://journals.usamvcluj.ro/index.php/promediu/article/view/13596
  80. 80. Prusinowska R, Smigielski KB. Composition, biological properties and therapeutic effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). A review. Herba Pol. 2014;60:56–66. https://doi.org/10.2478/hepo-2014-0010
  81. 81. Malakar M. Lavandula spp. (Lavender): a herb more than just a relaxing scent. In advances in medicinal and aromatic plants; vol.1. Apple Academic Press. 2024. p. 315. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781032686905-8
  82. 82. Radu (Lupoae) D, Alexe P, Stănciuc N. Overview on the potential role of phytochemicals from lavender as functional ingredients. Ann Univ Dunarea Jos Galati Fascicle VI-Food Technol. 2020;44:173–188. https://doi.org/10.35219/foodtechnology.2020.2.11
  83. 83. Cooper Marcus C, Sachs NA. Therapeutic landscapes: An evidence-based approach to designing healing gardens and restorative outdoor spaces. Hoboken (NJ): Wiley. 2014.
  84. 84. Prashar A, Locke IC, Evans CS. Cytotoxicity of lavender oil and its major components to human skin cells. Cell Prolif. 2004;37(3):221-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2184.2004.00307.x
  85. 85. Simonet-Avril A. Lavender: Lavender in nature and garden, home and kitchen; KubiK/RvR: Kehl. Germany. 2005.
  86. 86. Kim JT, Wajda M, Cuff G, Serota D, Schlame M, Axelrod DM, et al. Evaluation of aromatherapy in treating postoperative pain: pilot study. Pain Practice. 2006;6(4):273-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-2500.2006.00095.x
  87. 87. Chien LW, Cheng SL, Liu CF. The effect of lavender aromatherapy on autonomic nervous system in midlife women with insomnia. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. 2012;2012(1):740813. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/740813.
  88. 88. Lytle J, Mwatha C, Davis KK. Effect of lavender aromatherapy on vital signs and perceived quality of sleep in the intermediate care unit: A pilot study. Am J Crit Care. 2014;23(1):24-9. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2014958
  89. 89. Bikmoradi A, Seifi Z, Poorolajal J, Araghchian M, Safiaryan R, Oshvandi K. Effect of inhalation aromatherapy with lavender essential oil on stress and vital signs in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery: A single-blinded randomized clinical trial. Complementary therapies in medicine. 2015;23(3):331-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2014.12.001
  90. 90. Karadag E, Samancioglu S, Ozden D, Bakir E. Effects of aromatherapy on sleep quality and anxiety of patients. Nurs Crit Care. 2017;22(2):105-12. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12198
  91. 91. Bagheri-Nesami M, Shorofi SA, Nikkhah A, Espahbodi F. The effects of lavender essential oil aromatherapy on anxiety and depression in haemodialysis patients. Pharm Biomed Res. 2017;3(1):8-13. https://doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.pbr.3.1.8
  92. 92. Abbaszadeh R, Tabari F, Asadpour A. The effect of lavender aroma on anxiety of patients having bone marrow biopsy. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2020;21(3):771. https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.3.771
  93. 93. Akgül EA, Karakul A, Altın A, Doğan P, Hoşgör M, Oral A. Effectiveness of lavender inhalation aromatherapy on pain level and vital signs in children with burns: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2021;60:102758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102758
  94. 94. Yildirim D, Harman Ozdogan M, Erdal S, Selcuk S, Guneri A, Simsek EB, et al. The efficacy of lavender oil on fatigue and sleep quality in patients with hematological malignancy receiving chemotherapy: A single-blind randomized controlled trial. Support Care Cancer. 2025;33(2):1-0. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-09143-5
  95. 95. Prihartini AR, Rachmawati L, Sari OH. The Effectiveness of Lavender Aromatherapy on Perineal Suture Pain among Postpartum Women. Int J Nat Health Sci. 2025;3(1):351-60. https://doi.org/10.59890/ijnhs.v3i1.119.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.