Abstract

                                Most of the food grains which man consumes as food, such as paddy, wheat and millets belong to the family of grasses. There are, however, certain members of the Gramineae, which are put to other economic uses. Many of the grasses yield oils of different compositions, some of which are credited with medicinal properties while certain others are very useful in perfumery and soap making. The commercially important essential oils are mainly derived from the genus Cymbopogon, Hack. There are about 10 species which are common in South India; many of them ocour in the wild state, while a few of them are cultivated in limited areas in certain parts of the province. Another valuable grass which yields a scented oil is Vetiveria zizanioides, Nash, which is well known in Suth India. The essential oils exported from our country to Europe and US. A. during 1949-1950 amount to one lakh of gallons, fetching about 66 lakhs of rupees; the export reached a peak figure of one crore and 14 lakhs in 1946-47. The possibilities of developing the trade are enormous, but no systematic efforts are being made to exploit these grasses. There are no large-scale distilleries in South India; but a few enterprising people have started small-scale distilleries and much of the essential oils are the outcome of cottage industries.

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