Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Jatamansi Spikenard

The mystical Jatamansi Spikenard essential oil is known for promoting emotional balance and relieving tension. Spikenard essential oil is also renowned in India for its properties in the care of scaly skin. Ayurvedic tradition associates Spikenard essential oil with properties that promote hair growth.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Suitable

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Appropriate

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Appropriate

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Appropriate

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Possible but not recommended

Features

Properties and uses

Product discontinued

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Rhizomes (roots)

Botanical name

Nardostachys jatamansi

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties and uses

Jatamansi Spikenard essential oil is traditionally used for: Hair loss, alopecia and eczema

Health

Beauty

Find out more

Properties

Jatamansi Spikenard essential oil is renowned for its health properties:

  • Traditionally used as an ovarian stimulant

  • Phlebotonic (improves venous circulation)

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Anti-bacterial

Uses

It is traditionally used to improve the following conditions:

  • Tachycardia

  • Psoriasis

  • Varicose veins

  • Ovarian insufficiency

  • Staphylococcal disease

In practice

Respiratory comfort: Mix into your oil preparation. Massage the solar and sacral plexus area with this mixture.

Light legs: Mix into your oil blend. Apply your mixture locally, massaging lightly into the area concerned.

For skin prone to redness: Mix into your oil blend. Apply your mixture locally, massaging lightly into the area concerned.

Product discontinued

Why do we no longer sell Spikenard essential oil?

Given the current difficulties in guaranteeing the sustainable and responsible use of Spikenard, we have decided to stop marketing Jatamansi Spikenard essential oil. Spikenard is a rare wild plant that grows mainly in Nepal and whose roots are collected by gatherers. Although protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which regulates exports of spikenard from Nepal, Jatamansi Spikenard remains a species at high risk of over-exploitation, and it is difficult to guarantee that local harvesting practices will allow the natural resource to be properly renewed.

You can replace Jatamansi Spikenard essential oil with:

Precautions

  • Not recommended for use during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

  • Use with caution and for short periods only. Seek medical advice in the event of unexpected reactions.

  • Rare internal use by therapists only.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • As a general rule, always test-apply your mixture in the crease of the elbow at least 48 hours before use.

Find out more

This plant, which grows on the "Roof of the World" in the Himalayan mountains, has a very ancient use. Many ancient texts consider Spikenard to be a sacred product, both medicinally and spiritually.

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

"Mercy" blend for damaged skin (D. Maria)

BeautyBody care

Crew CO2 blend 100 drops

  • German Chamomile essential oil: 30 drops

  • Helichrysum Italicum essential oil: 25 drops

  • Spikenard essential oil: 10 drops

  • Patchouli essential oil: 10 drops

Method and use: Mix the ingredients, dilute the resulting mixture to 0.5% in a neutral base (cream, gel, etc.) and apply as a softening treatment for cracked and inflamed skin.

Bibliography

1

Huiles essentielles - 2000 ans de découvertes aromathérapeutiques pour une médecine d'avenir

Dominique Baudoux

2

'Aromathérapie' Éditions Maloine

Dr Jean Valnet

3

'L'aromathérapie exactement'

P. Franchomme and Dr D. Pénoël

4

'La bible de l'aromathérapie'

Nerys Purchon

5

'L'ABC des huiles essentielles'

Dr Telphon

6

'Aromatherapy'

Nelly Grosjean

7

'Les huiles essentielles pour votre santé'

G. Roulier

8

'Les cahiers pratiques de l'aromathérapie française - Pédiatrie'

Dominique Baudoux

9

Aroma-News newsletters from the NARD association

10

'Aromatherapy - Healing with essential oils'

Dominique Baudoux