Nardostachys

<i>Nardostachys</i>

Nardostachys

Genus of flowering plants

Not to be confused with Valeriana jatamansi.

Nardostachys is a genus of flowering plant in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). Nardostachys jatamansi is the sole species in genus.[3]

Quick Facts Nardostachys, Conservation status ...

It is a perennial that grows in the Himalayas, primarily in a belt through Kumaon, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan at elevations of 3,000–5,000 m (9,800–16,400 ft),[4] and in northern Myanmar and western and central China.[2]

It is a source of a type of intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil, spikenard. The oil has, since ancient times, been used as a perfume, as a traditional medicine, and in religious ceremonies. It is also called spikenard, nard, nardin, or muskroot. It is considered endangered due to overharvesting for folk medicine, overgrazing, loss of habitats, and forest degradation.

Description

The plant grows 10–50 cm (4–20 in) in height and has pink, bell-shaped flowers.[5] Rhizomes (underground stems) can be crushed and distilled into an intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil, which is very thick in consistency. Nard oil is used as a perfume, an incense, a sedative, and a herbal medicine said to fight insomnia, birth difficulties, and other minor ailments.[6]

Phytochemistry

Preliminary research on the chemical components of Nardostachys jatamansi indicates the plant contains:[7]

In spikenard

Main article: Spikenard

Nardostachys jatamansi may have been used as an ingredient in the incense known as spikenard, although lavender has also been suggested as a candidate for the spikenard of classical times.[8]

References

  1. [1]
    Traditions), K. Ravikumar (Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health; Technology (IHST)), Debabrata Saha (Institute of Trans-disciplinary Health Sciences and; Ved, D. K.; Haridasan, K. (July 16, 2014). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Nardostachys jatamansi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
  2. [2]
    "Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC.", Plants of the World Online, retrieved 29 April 2024
  3. [3]
    "Nardostachys DC". Plants of the World Online. Kew Science. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  4. [4]
    Bakhru, H. K. (1993). Herbs that heal : natural remedies for good health (3rd print. ed.). New Delhi u.a.: Orient Paperbacks. p. 117. ISBN 978-8122201338.
  5. [5]
    Deyuan Hong; Fred R. Barrie; Charles D. Bell. "Nardostachys jatamansi". Flora of China. Vol. 1. Retrieved 6 June 2020 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  6. [6]
    Dalby, Andrew (2000), Dangerous Tastes: the story of spices, London: British Museum Press, ISBN 978-0-7141-2720-0 (US ISBN 0-520-22789-1) pp. 83–88
  7. [7]
    Zhang, X; Lan Z; Dong XP; Deng Y; Hu XM; Peng T; Guo P. (January 2007). "Study on the active components of Nardostachys chinensis". Zhong Yao Cai. 30 (1): 38–41. PMID 17539300.
  8. [8]
    Fernie, William Thomas (1897). Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure. Philadelphia: Boericke & Tafel. p. 296. OCLC 1191267545.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Spikenard".
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