Spikenard

The spikenard has several other names that include; Nardostachys grandiflora, nard, muskroot, and Nardostachys jatamansi.

It is a flowering plant that belongs to the famous valerian family and is native to Himalayas, China, Nepal and India. It grows up to a height of one meter and bears pink colored flowers. Nard does best it altitudes of approximately 3000-5000m.

It has rhizomes which when crushed and distilled form deep aromatic oil with an amber color, the oil is quite thick. It has various uses in medicine.

The herb has been in use for many years all over the world, for instance, in India it is part of the Ayurvedic tradition which a celebration held for herbs by the Indians. In ancient Egypt, it was considered among the luxury items.

Spikenard will help to

• Anoint.
• Perfume corpses.
• Tone nerves.
• Induce sleep.
• Clear allergies and rashes.
• Balance female hormones.
• Easy transition to world of the dead.
• Fight insomnia.
• Ease birth difficulties.

Medical uses

Spikenard has been used in the perfuming of corpses for long time, for instance, Spikenard was used to perfume the body of Patroklos in Homer's iliad. There have also been listed twelve species of spikenard they include Valerian, Lavender stoechas and the real Spikenard. Note that these days, the true nard is known as Nardostachys jatamansi.

Despite the long history of Spikenard, it is not commonly used compared to the other valerian species. However, it is quite common in Asian countries. The Tibetans use it as holy incense for healing various diseases. It is widely used in China, India and Tibet in the toning nerves as well as inducing sleep for people who have sleeping disorders; this property is common all through the valerian species, Valeriana officinalis.

It is cultivated commercially by farmers and organization in China and India. The special spikenard oil will be obtained by steam distillation, it has earthy scent. Spikenard has several uses; it is used as a diuretic and in the elimination of skin rashes and allergy from the skin. On the other side, it has anti fungal properties and balances the female hormones to regulate their menstrual cycle. Spikenard oil is an essential ingredient in the manufacture of drugs for epilepsy, cholera and heart diseases.

Magical uses

The oil is associated with calmness, in respect to this; it is used to bring back peace and joy to those in grievance and pain. It is as well used in peaceful transition to the world of the dead.

The oil is associated with calmness, in respect to this; it is used to bring back peace and joy to those in grievance