Nardostachys
Genus of flowering plants
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nardostachys is a genus of flowering plant in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). Nardostachys jatamansi is the sole species in genus.[4]
| Nardostachys | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Dipsacales |
| Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
| Subfamily: | Valerianoideae |
| Genus: | Nardostachys DC. (1830) |
| Species: | N. jatamansi |
| Binomial name | |
| Nardostachys jatamansi | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
It is a perennial that grows in the Himalayas, primarily in a belt through Kumaon, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan at elevations of 3,000–5,000 m (9,800–16,400 ft),[5] and in northern Myanmar and western and central China.[3]
It is a source of a type of intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil, spikenard. The oil has, since ancient times, been used as a perfume, as a traditional medicine, and in religious ceremonies. It is also called spikenard, nard, nardin, or muskroot. It is considered endangered due to overharvesting for folk medicine, overgrazing, loss of habitats, and forest degradation.
Description
The plant grows 10–50 cm (4–20 in) in height and has pink, bell-shaped flowers.[6] Rhizomes (underground stems) can be crushed and distilled into an intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil, which is very thick in consistency. Nard oil is used as a perfume, an incense, a sedative, and a herbal medicine said to fight insomnia, birth difficulties, and other minor ailments.[7] Inhalations with added oil help relieve symptoms of colds, coughs and nasal congestion.[8]
Phytochemistry
Preliminary research on the chemical components of Nardostachys jatamansi indicates the plant contains:[9]
- acaciin
- ursolic acid
- octacosanol
- kanshone A
- nardosinonediol
- nardosinone
- aristolen-9beta-ol
- oleanolic acid
- beta-sitosterol
