Jehan Health Dictionary

Jeanae, Jeanay, Jeane, Jeanee, Jeanelle, Jeanetta, Jeanette, Jeanice, Jeanie, Jeanna, Jehane, Jeanne, Jeana, Jeanine, Jeannine, Jeanea... jean

FAMILY: Valerianaceae

SYNONYMS: Nard, ‘false’ Indian valerian root (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A tender aromatic herb with a pungent rhizome root.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to the mountainous regions of northern India; also China and Japan (see other species). The oil is mainly distilled in Europe or the USA.

OTHER SPECIES: Closely related to the common valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and the Indian valerian (V. wallichii) with which it shares many qualities. There are also several other similar species, notably the Chinese spikenard (N. chinensis) which is also used to produce an essential oil. Not to be confused with aspic or spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia), nor with essential oils from the musk root (Ferula sumbul) which is collected from the same area. The roots of several other plants are also commonly sold as ‘Indian valerian root’.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: Spikenard is one of the early aromatics used by the ancient Egyptians and is mentioned in the Song of Solomon in the Bible. It is also the herb which Mary used to anoint Jesus before the Last Supper; ‘Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.’.

The oil was also used by the Roman perfumers, or unguentarii, in the preparation of nardinum, one of their most celebrated scented oils, and by the Mughal empress Nur Jehan in her rejuvenating cosmetic preparations. It was also a herb known to Dioscorides as ‘warming and drying’, good for nausea, flatulent indigestion, menstrual problems, inflammations and conjunctivitis.

ACTIONS: Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, bactericidal, deodorant, fungicidal, laxative, sedative, tonic.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the dried and crushed rhizome and roots.

CHARACTERISTICS: A pale yellow or amber coloured liquid with a heavy, sweet-woody, spicy-animal odour, somewhat similar to valerian oil. It blends well with labdanum, lavender, oakinoss, patchouli, pine needle, vetiver and spice oils.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Bornyl acetate, isobornyl valerianate, borneol, patchouli alcohol, terpinyl valerianate, terpineol, eugenol and pinenes, among others.

SAFETY DATA: Probably similar to valerian, i.e. non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Skin care: Allergies, inflammation, mature skin (rejuvenating), rashes, etc.

Nervous system: Insomnia, nervous indigestion, migraine, stress and tension.

OTHER USES: Little used these days, usually as a substitute for valerian oil.... spikenard