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Nardostachys grandiflora

Common name:	Spikenard	Family:	Valerianaceae
Author:	DC.	Botanical references:	51, 200
Synonyms:	Nardostachys jatamansii (DC.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - Himalayas from Uttar Pradesh to S.W. China.
Habitat:	Rocks, ledges and open slopes, 3600 - 4800 metres[51].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	2	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	3

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	N. jatamansi[E,G] Nardus indica[H] Patrinia jatamansi[G] Valeriana jatamansi[E,G,H] Valeriana wallichii[G]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Bala Tagra [E], Hint Sumbulu [E], Indian Nard [E], Indian Valerian [E], Indische Valeriaan [E], Indischer Baldrian [E], Jatamansi [E], K'U Mi Ch'E [E], Kan Sung Hsiang [E], Mansi [E], Nard [H,E], Sumbul Ul Tib [E], Tagara [E], Valeriane Indiene [E],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	flora = flowered; grandiflora = large flowered;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Dipsacales. Valerian family
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	Britain; China; Egypt; Europe; France; Germany; India; India(Santal); Iran; Nepal; Netherlands; Sanscrit; Turkey

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.25m by 0.25m . . It is in flower from August to September. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 2/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Cultivated Beds, Sunny Edge.

Edible Uses

Condiment.

Used as a condiment[177]. No more details are given.

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Antispasmodic; Carminative; Deobstruent; Deodorant; Diuretic; Emmenagogue; Laxative; Nervine; Sedative; Stimulant; Stomachic.

The root is antispasmodic, carminative, deobstruent, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative, nervine, sedative, stimulant and stomachic[46, 61, 178, 218]. It is an excellent substitute for valerian, Valeriana officinalis, and is taken internally in the treatment of epilepsy, hysteria and convulsive affections, nervous indigestion, insomnia, depression and tension headaches[51, 238, 240]. Externally, it is used as a deodorant and to treat rashes[238]. A paste of the root is used externally to treat haemorrhoids[272]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. Use this remedy with caution, overdoses are toxic[218].

Other Uses

Essential; Hair; Incense.

An essential oil is obtained from the root and young stems. It is harvested before the leaves unfurl[123]. It is used in perfumery[238] and as a hair tonic where it is said to make the hair grow faster and also to turn it black[46, 51, 61].
The dried leaves are used as an incense[272].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture-retentive soil in full sun or light shade, especially from the midday sun[200, 238]. Dislikes growing in rich soils[238].
Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238].
The hairy portion of the stem, just above the roots, has a strong aroma somewhat like patchouli[245]. The fresh root is fragrant, but the scent becomes more pronounced as the root dries[245]. This plant is the spikenard of the Ancients, it was once very popular as a perfume[1].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[238]. The seed requires light for germination[238]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer.
Division in spring.

Scent

Root: Crushed Dried: The hairy portion of the stem, just above the roots, has a strong aroma somewhat like patchouli[245]. The fresh root is fragrant, but the scent becomes more pronounced as the root dries[245].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Nardostachys jatamansi (a possible synonym).

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[PHARM] Phytochemical Data (common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.

References for Valeriana jatamansi (a possible synonym).

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[PHARM] Phytochemical Data (common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.

References for the family Valerianaceae.

To be included in the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[51] Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984
A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[123] ? Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th edition.
It contains a few things of interest to the plant project.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

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Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.