Aromatic Spikenard Rhizomes - The Source of Essential Oil From a Flowering Plant!
Spikenard is a flowering plant (known as Nard) in the honeysuckle family, indigenous to the Himalayas region. Its botanical name is Nardostachys jatamansi. It grows up to 100 cms in high altitudes and bears purple bell-shaped flowers. Its rhizomes are more fragrant and are the source of essential oil. So, the spikenard essential oil is derived from the rhizomes and not the beautiful flowers, by steam distillation. It is a thick amber-colored oil with a warm rich earthy misty woody heavy aroma. It contains nardol, formic acid, a-salinene, b-ionone, nardol & selinene isomers. The oil provides base notes with medium strength to any cosmetic, perfume, or aromatherapy blend. The oil has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, sedative, antibacterial, and laxative properties. In earlier times, Romans and Egyptians used spikenard oil in the preparation of beauty products and body mists. They even used it to embalm mummies. Japanese people extended its uses for wellness purposes. The...