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Lavender, Kashmir – The Sweet, Honeyed Lavender of the Himalayas

Written By: Robin Lander

The Kashmir Valley in India is certainly a special place. Surrounded by the snow-capped Pir Panjal and Greater Himalayan mountain ranges, this protected, picturesque valley sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet, with fertile conditions and a moderate climate well suited for growing Lavender.

While Mother Nature has set the stage, the surrounding community has poured love and labor into what has been dubbed the “Purple Revolution” – an enthusiastic movement toward integrating the new crop of true Lavandula angustifolia naturally among traditional plots of walnuts, apples, and almonds.

The result is our Lavender, Kashmir, with an aroma like no other. Mindfully cultivated and artisan distilled on the high-altitude mountain slopes, it has an exceptionally sweet, ultra-smooth, soft honeyed-floral aroma, with subtle fruity notes and coumarinic green grassy undertones.

Formulators, aromatherapists, perfumers, and Lavender connoisseurs, read on to discover our sweetest and smoothest Lavender offering.

Cultivating Lavender, Kashmir

Our producers hold a deep reverence for the rich, pristine, snow-fed land they tend. Here, Lavender is grown and harvested with love and care, almost entirely by hand and without the use of chemicals. With plenty of sunlight throughout the year and water from the surrounding snowy slopes, the Lavender has everything it needs to flourish naturally.

Preserving the special ecosystem of this remote area is of great importance, so the Lavender is grown in small plots to remain in harmony with the surrounding flora, insects, and soil microbes. And since Lavender is favorite of bees and other pollinators, the surrounding crops and plants also benefit from improved pollination.

The production of Lavender, Kashmir has also brought improvements to the local economy, helping provide new business opportunities and income streams, particularly for women who are finding Lavender to be a valuable ingredient for skin care and cosmetics, hair care, natural perfume, and more.

The Effects of Elevation on Lavender

For aromatherapy and fine perfumery, high-elevation French-grown Lavender has been the gold standard for decades. True Lavandula angustifolia is native to mountainous regions of the western Mediterranean, including the highlands of France, where it thrives at 2,500 feet and higher.

Growing conditions that make up the terroir, including climate and elevation, influence the chemistry of aromatic plants like Lavender. At this elevation, Lavender typically responds by producing more of the beneficial ester linalyl acetate, a compound with a sweet floral aroma particularly attractive to pollinators. It also tends to be higher in soft floral linalool and generally lower in the herbaceous compound camphor found in Lavenders grown at lower elevations.

In Kashmir, our producer has taken true Lavender even higher. The combination of high elevation, abundant sunshine, and snow-covered winters stimulates a vigorous adaptation in the plants, contributing to an essential oil rich in linalyl acetate. Lavender, Kashmir has gained acclaim as a premium Lavender option, renowned for its intensely sweet, honey-like floral notes, incredible depth and texture, and verdant green undertones.

Formulating with Lavender, Kashmir

Lavender, Kashmir can be used similarly to other premium Lavenders in aromatherapy and cosmetic formulations as well as perfumery. Its sweet, cool, soft floral aroma is a lovely choice for blends that encourage a calm and comforting energy. Try it in:

·         Nighttime roll-ons, linen sprays, and diffuser blends with Frankincense, Oman and Orange, Sweet - Organic

·         Head and temple roll-ons with Peppermint, India and Chamomile, Roman

·         Relaxing baths with Vetiver, Haiti - Organic and Ylang Ylang, Fine - Organic

·         Muscle and joint massage oils with Eucalyptus Narrow Leaf - Organic and Ginger, Fresh – Organic

·         Facial Oils with Neroli, Morocco - Organic and Rose Otto, Turkey

·         Topical blends for skin imperfections with Tea Tree - Organic and Helichrysum - Organic

·         Body creams and lotions with Jasmine Absolute, India and Mandarin, Red

·         Meditation and anointing oils with Sandalwood and Patchouli

·         Perfumery and eau de colognes with Bergamot and Neroli

·         Soaps and cleansers, steams, scalp oils, foot care, belly rubs, outdoor sprays, candles, cleaning products, and more.

Experience the Tranquil Spirit of the Himalayas

Uplifting, peaceful, complex, and honey-sweet, the aroma of Lavender, Kashmir can take your formulations to new heights. Cultivated and artisan-produced with care and respect for the land, it embodies the lush, awe-inspiring energy of the Himalayas.

To learn more about all of our Lavender offerings, please see our article Lowdown on Lavender – Which One Should I Buy?