Witnessed by: TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani
Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi), of the Caprifoliaceae (formerly Valerianaceae) family. Small alpine perennial with a stout woolly rhizome and pink bell flowers; native range: the alpine Himalaya, from Kashmir to Sikkim and into south-west China, at 3000–5000 m. Globally recognized as jatamansi (matted-hair) in Sanskrit, jatamansi / balchhar in Hindi, gan song (甘松) in Chinese, sunbul (سنبل) in Arabic, and spikenard · nard · muskroot in English. The part used is rhizome and root. A dark, fibrous rhizome sheathed in reddish-brown woolly hair, of a heavy, warm, musky-earthy fragrance, sweetish and slightly bitter to taste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
SPIKENARD
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Spikenard
- Scientific name
- Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC.
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae (formerly Valerianaceae)
Form
- Part used
- rhizome and root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- sweet · pungent
- Ayurveda
- bitter (tikta) · astringent (kashaya) · sweet (madhura)
- Western
- bitter · aromatic
- Unani
- bitter · aromatic
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
- Ayurveda
- cooling (sheeta)
- Western
- warm
- Unani
- hot & dry (2nd degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Spleen · Stomach
- Western
- nervous system · heart · digestion
- Unani
- brain · heart · nerves · stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- promotes the movement of qi, opens and awakens the Spleen, harmonises the Stomach and relieves pain and distension
- Ayurveda
- medhya (brain/nervine tonic), nidrajanana (promotes sleep), balya (strengthening), hridya (cardiac), and tridosha-shamaka
- Western
- nervine, sedative, antispasmodic, and aromatic — a gentler cousin of valerian
- Unani
- muqawwi-e-dimagh (brain tonic), muqawwi-e-qalb (cardiac tonic), mufarrih (exhilarant), and habis (astringent)
Cautions
Contraindications: generally well tolerated; caution with sedative drugs and before driving
Toxicity: low toxicity in ordinary dose; heavy doses may over-sedate or dull
Sourcing status: cites-ii
Interactions
- Western
- sedatives / CNS depressants: additive central sedation
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