Description : Also known as false Indian Valerian Root Oil. Spikenard Oil is derived from the roots of Nardostachys Jatamansi. The plant grows wild and is occasionally cultivated in India, China and Japan. The dried roots are steam distilled in India or in Europe or the U.S.A. Spikenard Oil is a pale yellow to amber liquid with a heavy, sweet woody and spicy animal odor, reminiscent of valerian, ginger, cardamom and Atlas cedarwood oils.

Jatamansi (Nardostachys grandiflora)

                                                                                           

Nardostachys grandiflora DC. is the only species of this genus found in Nepal (HMG/Nepal 1976).  It belongs to family Valerianaceae. It is locally known as Jatamansi. It is an erect perennial herb growing 10-60cm long. It bears elongate spathulate (spoon like) radical leaves and few oblong or sub-ovate cauline leaves. The flowers are rosy, pale pink or blue, in dense cymes. The rhizome, which is an item of commerce, is long stout and woody. It has an agreeable odor with bitter aromatic taste. The rhizome is used as a substitute for valerian. The whole plant has a distinct and lingering smell.

The rhizome of Jatamansi has high medicinal value and the essential oil extracted from the rhizomes is used in perfumery. Jatamansi is also locally known as Bhulte, Balchhad, and Masijara in different parts of Nepal. It is known as Spikenard in English.

Distribution and Habitat.

Jatamansi in Nature

It is commonly distributed in an elevation range of 3500m to 4500m in the northern aspect of the sub-alpine and alpine pastureland of the Himalayas in Nepal. Though found in eastern to western region of the country, Jatamansi is more abundant in the western regions. The plant is mostly found growing in steep areas with a 25 o- 45o slope. It grows well on open, stony and grassy slopes, and on the turf of glacial flats. It is also found growing under the Silver Birch forest, where its growth is good with large leaves and long rootstock.  This may be due to the abundance of rotten leaves (humus) and shade under the Birch forest.

The flowering takes place during June to July and fruiting in August-October.  In the beginning of October, all leaves turn yellow and become ready for pereniation. During the winter, the herb sheds all leaves, gets buried under the snow and remains dormant. With the melting of the snow in the beginning of summer, Jatamansi starts growing.

The main associated plant species of Jatamansi are Bukephool (Anaphalis spp), Dhupi (Juniperus indica), Kutki (Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora), Panchaunle (Dactylorhiza hatagirea), Padamchal (Rheum australe), and Sunpati (Rhododendron anthopogon).

Regeneration
Natural regeneration takes place by rhizome and seeds. Jatamansi is a wild plant but is occasionally cultivated in India and China (Shrestha and Joshi 1996). The plant can be cultivated from the cuttings of underground parts or rhizomes as well as from seeds. The plants coming from the cuttings of rhizome grow faster than that from the seeds. According to study in Humla, this plant regenerates easily from the underground propagules when harvested in autumn. There is high risk of underground rhizome decay when harvested in summer.

Harvesting

A collector harvesting  Jatamansi

The appropriate time for harvesting Jatamansi is October through December. The early snowfall in some years disturbs the harvesting during the main harvesting season and makes the harvesting job difficult and sometimes impossible due to the thick layer of snow in the harvesting site. Because of this, it is sometimes harvested during May or June which is detrimental for its future growth. Jatamansi is generally collected by pulling out the rhizomes with or without the help of a Kuto (a small spade like handtool). The long rhizomes under shrubs and trees are handpicked. Rhizomes are gathered into a basket, or sac after removing leaves and roots. Collectors dry the raw Jatamansi partially at the collection point before transporting it to their home, processing unit, or to a selling point.

Sustainability Issues
The early snowfall in the autumn compels people to collect Jatamansi in May or June which affect the herb’s regeneration because the fruits mature only after October. Unscientific collection causes a decrease in the production of Jatamansi.

Utilization
Jatamansi is harvested for local use as well as for the trade of its valuable roots/rhizomes. Traditional healers use the root for different purposes.  It is used as a stimulant, antiseptic, insect repellent and for the treatment of epilepsy, hysteria, convulsive affections, stomachache, constipation and cholera. The rhizome is used as an aromatic adjunct in the preparation of medicinal oil. It is also believed to be useful for leprosy.  Mixed with sesame oil, it is rubbed on the head as a nerve sedative.  Its oil is also believed to promote growth and impart blackness to hair. The local people also use the rhizome for making incense by mixing it with the powder of Juniper and Sunpati.
 

Commercialization

Weighing Jatamansi

The rhizome of Jatamansi is used in the preparation of medicinal oils and in perfumery. The dried rhizomes are steam-distilled to yield between 1 - 2% of essential oil, commercially known as Spikenard oil. Spikenard oil of good quality has a greenish color and an odor suggestive of patchouli and Indian valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.), which has a sweet, woody, and spicy animal odor.It can be used in perfumes with an oriental basis, heavy florals, animal amber types, etc.  It blends well with Cedarwood and Lavender.  The oil resinifies on exposure to air. Processing & Market. The volatile oil cells are generally located on the fine fibrous hairs of the rhizome.

The quality of essential oil is influenced by the maturity of the rhizomes at the time of harvest, form of preparation, and duration of storage. Rhizomes harvested from the 2-3 year old plants give higher yield than young plants. The rhizomes are graded, packed in distillation apparatus evenly with several layers to avoid chanellization of steam, and distilled with low pressure and relatively dry steam for 9 to 18 hours.