Spikenard, also callednard,nardin, andmuskroot, is a class of aromatic amber-coloredessential oil derived fromNardostachys jatamansi, aflowering plant in thehoneysuckle family which grows in theHimalayas ofNepal,China, andIndia. The oil has been used over centuries as aperfume, atraditional medicine, or in religious ceremonies across a wide territory from India to Europe.[1][2][3] Historically, the namenard has also referred to essential oils derived from other species including the closely relatedvalerian genus, as well asSpanish lavender; these cheaper, more common plants have been used in perfume-making, and sometimes toadulterate true spikenard.
The namenard is derived fromLatinnardus, fromAncient Greekνάρδος (nárdos), fromHebrew:נֵרְדְּ (nērd). This word may ultimately derive either fromSanskritनलद (nálada 'Indian spikenard'), or fromNaarda, an ancientAssyrian city (possibly the modern town ofDohuk, Iraq).[4] The "spike" in the English name refers to theinflorescence or flowering stem of the plant.
Nardostachys jatamansi is aflowering plant of thehoneysuckle family that grows in theHimalayas of Nepal, China, and India. In bloom, the plant grows to about 1 meter (3 ft) in height and has small, pink, bell-shaped flowers. It is found at an altitude of about 3,000 to 5,000 m (9,800 to 16,400 ft). Itsrhizomes can be crushed and distilled into an intensely aromatic, amber-coloredessential oil with a thick consistency.
Nard oil is used as aperfume, anincense, and inAyurvedic practices.[5]Sesquiterpenes contribute to the major portion of thevolatile compounds,[6] with the eponymousjatamansone (also known as (-)-valeranone) being dominant. Manycoumarins are also present in the oil. Thealkaloidactinidine has been isolated from the oil, and valerenal alongsidevalerenic acid (formerly callednardal andnardin respectively).[7] Among the other phytochemical products found in the rhizomes are: nardostachysin, aterpenoidester;[8] nardostachnol; nardostachnone; jatamansic acid and jatamansinone.
In ancient Rome,nardus was used to flavor wine, and occurs frequently in the recipes ofApicius.[9][10] During the earlyRoman empire,nardus was the main ingredient of a perfume (unguentumnardinum).[9]
Pliny'sNatural History lists several species ofnardus used in making perfume andspiced wine: Indian nard, a stinking nard called 'ozaenitidos' which is not used, a false nard ('pseudo-nard') with which true nard is adulterated, and several herbs local to Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean which are also callednardus, namely Syrian nard, Gallic nard, Cretan nard (also called 'agrion' or 'phun'), field nard (also called 'bacchar'), wild nard (also called 'asaron'), and Celtic nard. Celtic nard is the only species Pliny mentions which he does not describe when listing the species of nard in book 12 ofNatural History suggesting it is synonymous with another species, probably with the species Pliny refers to as 'hirculus', a plant Pliny attests to growing in the same region as Gallic nard and which he says is used to adulterate Gallic nard. Both are widely assumed to be cultivars or varieties ofValeriana celtica.[11][12][13][non-primary source needed] Gentner suggests thathirculus may be Valeriana saxatilis L., which, like Valeriana celtica, has a camphor-like odour, but it is less pleasant.[14]
Indian nard refers toNardostachys jatamansi, stinking nard possibly toAllium victorialis, false nard toLavandula stoechas, Syrian nard toCymbopogon nardus, Gallic nard toValeriana celtica, Cretan nard toValeriana italica (syn.V. dioscoridis,V. tuberosa), and wild nard toAsarum europaeum. Field nard, or 'bacchar', has not been conclusively identified and must not be confused with species now called "baccharises" referring to species native to North America.[11][12][13] The English botanistJohn Hill mentions that a plant described byDioscorides asbaccharis may refer toploughman's-spikenard.[15]
Spikenard is mentioned in the Bible as being used for its fragrance.
While the king was on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance. My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts.
— Song of Songs 1:12–13ESV
ThenMary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; shepoured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
— Gospel of John 12:3NIV
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
— Gospel of Mark 14:3NIV
In theIberianiconographic tradition of theCatholic Church, the spikenard is used to representSaint Joseph.[16] TheVatican has said that thecoat of arms of Pope Francis includes the spikenard in reference to Saint Joseph.[16][17][18]
Nard (Italiannardo) is also mentioned in theInferno ofDante Alighieri'sDivine Comedy:
erba né biado in sua vita non pasce,
ma sol d’incenso lagrime e d’amomo,
e nardo e mirra son l’ultime fasce.
He tastes, but tears offrankincense alone
And odorousamomum: swaths of nard
Andmyrrh his funeral shroud.[19]
Spikenard is also mentioned as an herb protectingSaint Thecla from wild beasts in the apocryphal textThe Acts of Paul and Thecla.[20]
