Berhampur, April 25: An opportunity waits to blossom in the hilly terrains of Koraput and Kandhamal districts. Experts say that the region has the right kind of soil and weather for the cultivation of German chamomile flower, which is known for its medicinal values. What is needed now is a little nudge from the state government to promote cultivation of the flower, which is used for making medicines and has huge international demand.
“The state government should take the initiative for cultivation of German chamomile flower in Orissa that has a sizable demand in the country,” said Rama Rao, deputy director and in-charge of the UP-based Technology Support Centre for Kewra Industry (TSCKI).
Oil extracted from German chamomile is dark blue and is being produced at the TSCKI laboratory here at an ongoing training and awareness programmes. The Berhampur centre of the TSCKI is among the five such units in the country set up by the ministry of small scale industries and run by the Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), which is based at Kannauj in UP.
The blue oil extracted from dry capitulars is highly valued and its price in the international market is Rs 1.20 lakh per kg. At present, the crop is mainly cultivated in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Assam.
“Efforts for the cultivation of this medicinal and aromatic crop were being made in south India recently and the results have been very encouraging,” Rao said. In India, the oil was a key ingredient for preparing several Unani and homeopathic medicines, he added.
What is unique about the crop is that it suits a wide variety of soils and climatic conditions. However, places having cool weather conditions are preferred.
Talking about the cultivation of the plant, Rao said in north Indian hills it was sown in second fortnight of December. Rao said that the therapeutic properties of German chamomile oil were analgesic, anti-allergic, anti-spasmodic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bactericidal, carminative, digestive and sedative. The flower could also be used for preparing medicines for diseases including asthma, measles, mumps, menopausal symptoms, as well as rheumatism. It is also useful for treating general skincare, especially skin allergy.
Experts say that dry flowers are used in herbal tea to help in gastric secretions, bile and treatment of cough and cold.“To the Egyptians it was an herb dedicated to the sun to cure fever and to the moon for its cooling ability. It was also recognised as a soother of nervous complaints and was used in shampoos, cosmetics and perfumes,” Rao said.
He said the flower had originated in Europe and the oil was produced mainly in Argentina, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary and Yugoslavia. The consumption of this flower in Germany was 4000 tonnes per annum and the demand was steadily increasing in the international market.
