Chamomile and Lavender: Phytotherapy, Cosmetics, and Aromatherapy — High-Value Markets

The chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are the medicinal plants with the greatest market appeal in Brazil — with chamomile being the most consumed medicinal herb in teas and lavender being the best-selling raw material for aromatherapy worldwide. Together, they represent high-growth markets in cosmetics, phytotherapy, aromatherapy, and rural tourism.

The lavender from Serra Gaúcha — especially in Gramado, Campos de Cima da Serra, and Cambará do Sul — is one of the fastest-growing rural tourism products in southern Brazil. The essential oil of lavender is the best-selling worldwide in aromatherapy, and the demand for organic lavender with traceable origin is increasing by 30% per year in the European market.

When chamomile and lavender are cultivated at high altitude with quality and processed into oils and premium products, this segment can significantly contribute to job and income generation in Brazil.

Join our strategic actions to implement the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover 20 chains and the 255 segments of the national agro sector — from grain chains to sustainable extraction, including horticulture, fruit farming, cattle raising, and much more.

The Innovation for Brazil to Produce More series was developed specifically to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and worldwide, in all 255 segments of the agricultural sector — with accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, government officials, and marketers.

1.  Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to produce chamomile and lavender with quality for cosmetics and aromatherapy

Quality lavender requires altitude above 700m and temperate climate — conditions found in Serra Gaúcha and southern MG. Harvesting at the beginning of flowering concentrates linalool and linalyl acetate — the most valuable compounds in lavender oil.

✔    Lavender: Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender) — the highest oil value

✔    Minimum altitude 700m — defines oil quality

✔    Chamomile: Matricaria chamomilla — 90-day cycle; manual harvest

✔    Steam distillation on the farm — maximum freshness of the oil

✔    PRONAF for high-altitude medicinal plants

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for the Small Rural Producer presents, in detail, the best solutions for this segment and 254 others in Brazilian agriculture — focusing on method, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

2.  Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

What equipment do chamomile and lavender require

Chamomile and lavender require steam stills, dryers, and oil storage chambers.

Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment

Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical Engineering and Computing — stills and distillation control;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — oil quality sensors;

Control and Automation Engineering — tray dryers for flowers;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — essential oil bottling machines;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for high-altitude distilleries;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — oil origin traceability.

✔    Steam stills for lavender and chamomile

✔    Linalool analysis for lavender quality

✔    Chamomile flower dryers

✔    Essential oil bottlers

✔    Organic certification and rural tourism

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for the Micro and Small Local Supplier maps, segment by segment, business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

3.  Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How municipalities can support lavender and chamomile and create a rural tourism hub

High-altitude lavender is a rural tourism product with immense visual impact — fields of blooming lavender attract tourists from all over the region and create an agritourism revenue that exceeds the revenue from oil.

✔    Municipal Lavender Route — visitation, harvesting, and products

✔    Lavender Festival — identity and gastronomic tourism

✔    Municipal IDM: locally produced lavender and chamomile

✔    Partnership with inns and hotels for identity products

✔    Local essential oil with altitude IG

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents the step-by-step process for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of the agro. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

4.  Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Retailers

How lavender and chamomile generate business for cosmetics, aromatherapy, and tourism

The organic high-altitude lavender essential oil is priced at R$ 300 to R$ 800/100ml for premium cosmetic and aromatherapy brands — and the producer who distills on their own farm has the highest-margin product per hectare cultivated in all medicinal horticulture.

The field of blooming lavender is a tourist attraction that generates revenue of R$ 5,000 to R$ 20,000 per weekend in agritourism — with visitors paying R$ 20 to R$ 50 for entry to harvest and take pictures. Tourism surpasses product sales in many properties.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and foodservice:

High-altitude lavender essential oil— R$ 300 to R$ 800/100ml;

Handmade lavender products— cosmetics, sachets, pillows;

Agritourism in the lavender field— revenue per visitor;

Dried chamomile for premium tea— pharmacies and gourmet stores;

Chamomile oil for cosmetics— baby and anti-inflammatory;

Handmade lavender gift kit— high growth product.

Retailer profiles and their specific opportunities

✔    Natural cosmetics: organic high-altitude lavender oil

✔    Aromatherapy: lavender and chamomile for wellbeing

✔    Agritourism: lavender field as a tourist attraction

✔    Pharmacies: dried chamomile for tea and extract

✔    Digital platforms: handmade lavender kit

✔    Hotels and spas: local lavender in identity cosmetics

Growth strategies for local retailers

A lavender farm that combines agritourism + oil + handmade products has three revenue streams from the same field: tourism (highest during the season), essential oil (consistent revenue), and handicrafts (high turnover and margin).

The PRONAF and Pronampe cover planting and distillation. SEBRAE subsidizes rural tourism and certification.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for the Small Agricultural Product Retailer maps 30 retailer profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 segments of the agro. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By acquiring any e-book from the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups of 30 members can organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and worldwide.

✔    Small Rural Producers

✔    Micro and Small Supplier Businesses

✔    Municipal Governments

✔    Small Agricultural Product Retailers

⭐  Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master in Electrical Engineering and Computing · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Faculty: IFPB and UFRN  ·  38 years of experience in Engineering