Nardostachys jatamansi Health Dictionary

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Nardostachys Jatamansi: From 1 Different Sources

DC.

Synonym: N. grandiflora DC.

Family: Valerianaceae.

Habitat: Alpine Himalayas, Kumaon, Sikkim and Bhutan.

English: Spikenard, Musk-root.

Ayurvedic: Maansi, Jataamaansi, Bhuutajataa, Tapaswini, Sulo- mashaa, Jatilaa, Naladaa.

Unani: Sumbul-e-Hindi, Sambul-ut- Teeb, Naardeen-e-Hindi, Baalchhar.

Siddha/Tamil: Sadamanchil.

Action: Used as a substitute for Valerian. Tranquilizer, sedative, hypotensive. Used for the treatment of epilepsy, hysteria, convulsive affections, palpitation of heart and in intestinal colic. A decoction of powdered roots is prescribed as a home remedy for high blood pressure. It is used in dysmenorrhoea for pain relief and smooth menstrual flow. It is used in hair oil for arresting hair loss and greying of hair.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends dry rhizomes in obstinate skin diseases, erysipelas, disturbed mental state and insomnia.

The rhizome is rich in sesquiter- penoids. The crude drug gave an oil (yield 2.5% v/w), which contains d- nardostachone, valeranone and jata- mansone as the major ketonic sesqui- terpenes. The oil potentiated phenobarbital narcosis in rats, reduced brain serotonin content and decreased the conditioned avoidance performance in cats.

Jatamansone was shown to exert tranquilizing effect in mice and monkeys. In rabbits, jatamansone was found to impair biosynthesis of serotonin in the brain leading to a reduction in brain level of 5-hydroxytrypta- mine. The degradation of serotonin was unaffected. The mode of action of jatamansone was thus in variance with that of reserpine which has direct action on the cell to liberate serotonin.

On the other hand, the alcoholic extract of the roots of Indian Nard caused an overall increase in the levels of central monamines, 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid and the inhibitory amino acids, gamma-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in rat brain.

In a clinical trial on hyperkinetic children, jatamansone showed significant reduction in hyperactivity and improvement in restlessness and aggressiveness, almost at par with D- amphetamine.

The volatile oil was found to be less active than quinidine in several tests. It did not counteract digitalis induced ventricular arrhythmias.

Jatamansone semicarbazone, a sesquiterpene ketone, was found to possess antiestrogenic activity.

N. jatamansi is also used in place of Muraa (Selinum tenuifolium Wall. ex DC.)

Dosage: Root—2-3 g powder; 5-10 g for infusion; 50-100 ml infusion. (API, Vol. I; CCRAS.)
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Convolvulus Pluricaulis

Choisy.

Synonym: C. Microphyllus Sieb. C. Prostratus Forsk

Family: Convolvulaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, Ascending To 2,000 M In The Himalayas.

Ayurvedic: Shankhapushpi, Shankhaahvaa, Kshirapushpi, Maangalya Kusuma (White- Flowered). Blue-Flowered Var., Vishnukraanti, Vishnukraantaa, Vishnugandhi Is Equated With Evolvulus Alsinoides Linn.

Unani: Sankhaahuli (Blue-Flowered)

Siddha/Tamil: Sivakraandi (White- Flowered), Vishnukraandi (Blue- Flowered).

Action: Plant—Brain Tonic, Tranquilizer Used In Nervine Disorders, Mental Aberration, Anxiety Neurosis, Internal Haemorrhages, Spermatorrhoea. Also Astringent, Antidysenteric, Antispasmodic, Antiphlogistic, Febrifuge, Alterative. Flowers—Styptic, Used For Uterine Bleeding. Leaf—Antiasthmatic, Used In Chronic Bronchitis. Root— Used In Gastric And Duodenal Ulcers, Uterine Affections And For Promoting Fertility.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India Recommends The Plant For Epilepsy. The Plant Contains Sankhpushpine Alkaloids.

The Alcoholic (50%) Extract Of The Plant, When Administered To Rats (Through Gastric Intubation At Different Intervals), Has Shown Enhanced Neuropeptide Synthesis Of The Brain. It Induces An Increase In Brain Protein Content And Increases Acquisition Efficiency.

Evolvulus Alsinoides Contains Pen- Tatriacontane, Triacontane And Beta- Sitosterol.

Shankhapushpi Syrup (A Compound Containing C. Pluricaulis, Centella Asiatica, Nardostachys Jatamansi, Nepeta Hindostana, Nepeta Elliptica And Onos- Ma Bracteatum), When Administered With Phenytoin, A Modern Antiepilep- Tic Drug, Reduced Not Only Antiepileptic Activity Of Phenytoin But Also Lowered Plasma Phenytoin Levels.

Dosage: Whole Plant—3-6 G Powder. (Api Vol. III.)... convolvulus pluricaulis

Corydalis Govaniana

Wall.

Family: Papaveraceae.

Habitat: The West Himalayas, from Kashmir to Kumaon.

Ayurvedic: Bhootakeshi (a doubtful substitute for Bhootajataa, Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) Species of Selinum are also used as Bhootakeshi.

Action: Sedative, spasmolytic, hypotensive, nervine, antiseptic. Used in cutaneous and scrofulous affections, chronic fever and liver complaints.

The roots contain phthalide iso- quinoline alkaloids. In addition, stems and leaves contain tetrahydroproto- berberines.

A related species, C. solida, indigenous to Siberia, northern China and Japan, contains alkaloids including corydalmine, tetrahydropalmatine, protoberberine-type alkaloid lenticin. The alkaloids are analgesic and sedative and have been shown to work, at least in part, by blocking the dopamine receptors in the central nervous system.

The powdered rhizome of Corydalis possesses one-hundredth of the analgesic potency of morphine.... corydalis govaniana

Pavonia Odorata

Willd.

Family: Malvaceae.

Habitat: North-West India, Bengal and Konkan.

English: Fragrant Sticky Mallow.

Ayurvedic: Vaalaka, Baalaka, Baala, Barhishtha, Hrivera, Ambu, Jala, Nira, Paya, Toya, Udichya, Vaari, Muurdhaja. Sugandhbaalaa (also equated with Valeriana Jatamansi). In the South, Celus vettiveroides is equated with Baalaka.

Siddha/Tamil: Peraamutti, Kastoori vendai.

Action: Plant—anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic. Used in rheumatic affections. Root—stomachic, astringent, demulcent. Used in dysentery, haemorrhages from intestines; ulcers and bleeding disorders.

The roots gave an essential oil containing isovaleric acid, isovaleralde- hyde, armomadendrene, pavonene, alpha-terpinene, azulene and pavo- nenol.

The plant exhibits antiparasitic activity against Entamoeba histolytica.... pavonia odorata

Valeriana Pyrolaefolia

Decne.

Family: Valerianaceae.

Habitat: The temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan.

Ayurvedic: Dhyaamaka (including among aromatic drugs of Jatamansi group.)

Folk: Sugandhabaalaa.

Action: Used as V. jatamansi.... valeriana pyrolaefolia

Selinum Tenuifolium

Wall. ex DC.

Synonym: S. candollei DC.

Family: Umbelliferae; Apiaceae.

Habitat: The Himalayas from Kashmir to Nepal at altitudes of 1,800-4,200 m.

Ayurvedic: Muraa, Surabhi, Daitya, Gandhakuti, Gandhavati. (Substitute for Nardostachys jatamansi.)

Siddha/Tamil: Mural.

Folk: Bhuutakeshi (Kashmir), Muur (Garhwal).

Action: Roots—sedative, analgesic.

Isoimperatorin and oxypeucedanin have been isolated as major inotropic constituents from the rhizomes.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends the root in syncope, giddiness, also for asthma.

Dosage: Root—1-3 g powder. (API, Vol. II.)... selinum tenuifolium

Selinum Vaginatum

C. B. Clarke.

Family: Umbelliferae; Apiaceae.

Habitat: North-Western Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon at altitudes of 1,800-3,900 m.

Ayurvedic: Rochanaa-Tagara.

Folk: Peshaavari-Bhuutakeshi (Kashmir), Taggar (Garhwal).

Action: Roots—used as a nervine sedative. Oil—sedative, analgesic, hypotensive.

The roots gave coumarins, angelicin, oroselol, lomatin, selinidin, vaginidin, vaginol; a flavone derivative selinone; a sesquiterpene vaginatin.

The dry roots yield an essential oil containing alpha-pinene 45.5 limonene 25.3, camphene 5.7, beta-phellandrene 5.2, alpha-thujene 1.2, fenchyl alcohol 3.2, terpineol 3.8, and a ketone 2.6%. Beta-pinene and fenchone have also been reported.

The roots are sold in the drug markets of Jammu mixed with those of Seseli sibiricum. The roots are also used as a substitute for Nardostachys jata- mansi.... selinum vaginatum

Valeriana Dubia

Bunge.

Synonym: V. officinalis auct. non Linn.

Family: Valerianacea.

Habitat: Western Himalayas, Kashmir at Sonamarg at 2,4002,700 m.

English: Common Valerian.

Action: Rhizome and roots— sedative, hypotensive, cardiotonic; depressant on CNS, antispasmodic; used for hysteria, neurosis, nervousness, hypochondriasis.

The roots and rhizomes yielded alkaloids—dipyridylmethylketone, ac- tinidine, iso-valeramide and valerian- ine; sesquiterpene ketone-valeranone. Bornyl acetate is the major constituent of the root oil, 31.5%, whereas it is only 6.6% in leaf oil. Bornyl isovalerate is reported from the root oil.

Baalaka is a confusing synonym of Tagara. It should be equated with Pavo- nia odorata Willd. (Malvaceae).

Baalaka (syns: Ambu, Baala, Barhi- shtha, Hrivera, Jala, Kacha, Muurd- haja, Udichi, Udichya) is known as Sugandhabaalaa in Northern markets. In South India Coleus vettiveroides K. C. Jacob (Labiateae) is preferred as Baalaka. Delphinium brunonianum Royle (Ranunculaceae), with synonyms Kutila, Nata, Vakra, is also used as Tagara.

Valeriana leschenaultii DC. var. brunoniana C. B. Clarke.

Family: Valerianaceae.

Habitat: The temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan at altitudes of 1,200-3,60 m and in the Khasi and Jaintia hills between 1,500 and 1,800 m.

Folk: Sugandhabaalaa, Tagger, Taggar-ganthodaa. Asaarun (Ku- maon).

Action: Used as V. jatamansi and V officinalis.

Valeriana hardwickii is known as Taggar-ganthodaa in Mumbai and Asaarun in Kumaon. In Unani medicine, Asaarun is equated with Asarum europaeum Linn. (Aristolochiaceae). It is known as Subul-e-barri, Naardin- barri and Persian Tagar; Wild Nard, Hazel Wort and Asarabacca in English. Though sedative and brain tonic, Asaarun should not be equated with Tagara.

Family: Valerianaceae.

Habitat: Karnakata and the Nilgiris.

Ayurvedic: Tagara (related species).

Folk: Sugandhabaalaa, Taggar, Baalaka.

Action: Used as a substitute for valerian.... valeriana dubia

Valeriana Wallichii

DC.

Synonym: V. jatamansi Jones. Nardostachys jatamansi (Jones) DC.

Family: Valerianaceae.

Habitat: Temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan, above 3,000 m, and Khasia Hills.

English: Indian Valerian.

Ayurvedic: Tagara, Sugandhabaalaa, Kaalaanusaari, Kaalaanusaarikaa, Nata. (Delphinum brunonianum Royle, Ranunculaceae, syn. Kutila, Nata, Vakra, is also used as Tagara.)

Unani: Asaarun, Tagar Reshewaalaa.

Siddha: Tagarai.

Folk: Taggar, Baalaka, Mushkbaalaa, Asaarun, Tagar-ganthodaa.

Action: Rhizomes and roots— used as a substitute for Valeriana officinalis; prescribed as a remedy for hysteria, nervous unrest and emotional troubles, and as a sedative.

Rhizomes and roots contain cyclop entapyrans, acacetin-7-O-rutino- sides, valtrate, didrovaltrate, linarin iso-valerinate, valepotriates and an iri- doid ester glycoside, valerosidatum. Cyclopentapyrans exhibit sedative, tranquilizing and bacteriocidal properties.

Valtrate and didrovaltrate were cy- totoxic to hepatoma cells in culture and inhibited synthesis of DNA and protein in tumor cells.

Root—spasmolytic. Essential oil— antibacterial. (Indian Valerian oils are considered poor as compared to those of V. officinalis oils.) The essential oil from roots contains calarene, beta- bargamotene, valeranone, ar-curcu- mene, maalioxide and maalitol. Main acids present are isovaleric acid and (+)-beta-methyl valeric acid.

Valeriana jatamansi auct. non Jones, synonyms Nardostachys grandiflora DC. and N. jatamansi DC. is equated with Indian Spikenard, Musk-Root and Jataamaansi.

Dosage: Rhizome—1-3 g powder. (API, Vol. I.)... valeriana wallichii

Spikenard

Nardostachys jatamansi

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

Valerian

Valeriana fauriei

FAMILY: Valerianaceae

SYNONYMS: V. officinalis, V. officinalis var. angustifolium, V. officinalis var. latifolia, European valerian, common valerian, Belgian valerian, fragrant valerian, garden valerian.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A perennial herb up to 1.5 metres high with a hollow, erect stem, deeply dissected dark leaves and many purplishwhite flowers. It has short, thick, greyish roots, largely showing above ground, which have a strong odour.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to Europe and parts of Asia; naturalized in North America. It is mainly cultivated in Belgium for its oil, also in France, Holland, England, Scandinavia, Yugoslavia, Hungary, China and the USSR.

OTHER SPECIES: There are over 150 species of valerian found in different parts of the world. The Eastern varieties are slightly different from the Western types: the oil from the Japanese plant called ‘kesso root’ (V. officinalis) is more woody; the oil from the Indian valerian (V. wallichii) is more musky. Also closely related to spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) – see entry.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: This herb has been highly esteemed since medieval times, and used to be called ‘all heal’. It has been used in the West for a variety of complaints, especially where there is nervous tension or restlessness, such as insomnia, migraine, dysmenorrhoea, intestinal colic, rheumatism, and as a pain reliever.

On the Continent the oil has been used for cholera, epilepsy and for skin complaints. In China it is used for backache, colds, menstrual problems, bruises and sores. The root is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for ‘conditions presenting nervous excitability’. .

ACTIONS: Anodyne (mild), antidandruff, diuretic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, depressant of the central nervous system, hypnotic, hypotensive, regulator, sedative, stomachic.

EXTRACTION: 1. Essential oil by steam distillation from the rhizomes. 2. An absolute (and concrete) by solvent extraction of the rhizomes.

CHARACTERISTICS: 1. An olive to brown liquid (darkening with age) with a warm woody, balsamic, musky odour; a green topnote in fresh oils. 2. An olive-brown viscous liquid with a balsamic-green, woody, bitter-sweet strong odour. It blends well with patchouli, costus, oakmoss, pine, lavender, cedarwood, mandarin, petitgrain and rosemary.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly bornyl acetate and isovalerate, with caryophyllene, pinenes, valeranone, ionone, eugenyl isovalerate, borneol, patchouli alcohol and valerianol, among others.

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization. Use in moderation.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Nervous system: Insomnia, nervous indigestion, migraine, restlessness and tension states.

OTHER USES: Used in pharmaceutical preparations as a relaxant and in herbal teas. The oil and absolute are used as fragrance components in soaps and in ‘moss’ and ‘forest’ fragrances. Used to flavour tobacco, root beer, liqueurs and apple flavourings.... valerian


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