Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)

Nardostachys jatamansi is spikenard, the alpine Himalayan plant whose hairy, fragrant rhizome gave the precious nard oil of the ancient world. Jatamansi means “matted locks”, from the reddish-brown fibres that cover the rhizome. Collection for perfume and traditional medicine has driven it to be listed as critically endangered.

Botanical name: Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC.
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Tamil: Sadachi
Hindi: Balchhar
Parts used: Rhizome (historical; wild-dug trade is a conservation problem)
Habit: Himalayan nard; jatamansi is a shop word
Last updated: 2026-10-25

How to recognise Spikenard

It is a small perennial of alpine meadows and rocky slopes at roughly 3,000 to 5,000 metres, with a rosette of long, narrow basal leaves.

Flowers are small, pink to purplish, in dense clusters on short stems.

The rhizome is the giveaway: covered in a dense mat of fibrous, reddish-brown hairs, with a strong, musky, earthy scent.

Indian valerian, Valeriana jatamansi, grows lower in shady forests, has broader leaves and white flowers, and is also sold as jatamansi.

Traditional use of Spikenard

Ancient perfume

Nard oil was traded from the Himalaya to the Mediterranean in antiquity and is mentioned in the Bible and Roman writings as a costly perfume.

Ancient trade history

Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine

Jatamansi is used in formulas for the mind, sleep and hair.

Ayurvedic and Tibetan materia medica

Modern notes on Spikenard

It is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List and in CITES Appendix II. India restricts export of wild material.

The rhizome contains sesquiterpenes such as jatamansone. Clinical evidence for its traditional uses is limited.

Spikenard safety

Do not use it in place of medical care for sleep or mental health problems. Buy only certified cultivated material, if at all.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows in alpine meadows from Uttarakhand to Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and south-west China.

Digging the rhizome kills the plant, and slow growth means wild populations recover poorly.

Cultivation programmes in Uttarakhand and Nepal aim to supply the trade without wild harvest.

Related plants

Questions about Spikenard

Is Spikenard the same as Indian valerian?

No. Indian valerian is Valeriana jatamansi, a different plant.

What older names does Nardostachys jatamansi go by?

Nardostachys grandiflora and Nardostachys chinensis.

Why is Spikenard endangered?

Over-harvesting of wild rhizomes for trade.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.