Spikenard is also known as nard, nardin, and muskroot. The amber colored Essential Oil is derived from the flowering plants. The botanical name for Spikenard is Nardostachy jatamansi. In ancient times the Spikenard Oil was used as perfume, medicine, and in religious ceremonies.  Another ceremony that Spikenard Oil was traditionally used for was to anoint persons of high honor. Mainly due to its healing properties, and the oil is considered to have spiritual applications of blessing and protection. Spikenard was used to season foods in Medieval European cuisine, especially as a part of the spice blend used to flavor Hypocras, a sweetened and spiced wine drink. From the 17th century it was one of the ingredients for a strong beer called Stingo. The method of extraction is steam distillation from the root and is usually a golden yellow color. Spikenard Essential Oil has an earthy, woody, harsh, musty aroma.

The process of the essential oil of Spikenard’s extraction is by steam distillation of the resin obtained from the Spikenard plant and contains aristolene, calarene, clalarenol, coumarin, dihydroazulenes, jatamanshinic acid, nardol, nardostachone, valerianol, valeranal and valeranone as the main components, which are the direct sources of its medicinal properties.

Spikenard Essential Oil Benefits

• Antibiotic – inhibits the growth viruses and infections
• Antifungal – kills germs and bacteria
• Deodorant – great for eliminating body odor
• Digestive – the stimulating effect calms the stomach and hunger pains
• Sedative – soothes nerves and nervous tension
• Digestive -a great laxative
• Respiratory – relief from cough, asthma or any other respiratory problems
• Reproductive – stimulates the uterus and ovaries to maintain the proper health
• Antioxidant – protects the body from wear and tear, infections
• Febrifuge – reduce fevers by fighting infections
• Menstruation – helps regulate a woman’s menstruation
• Athlete’s Foot – with the bacteria killing component
• Anxiety – when inhaled as in aromatherapy
• Headaches – lessens sensitivity of nerves to pain
• Vasoconstrictor – with the calming and soothing effect on the nerves
• Antidepressant – just the aroma alone will lift those depressed moods
• Acne – eliminates the effects that acne has

Spikenard Essential Oil blends well with these other oils of Frankincense, Lavender, Myrrh, Orange, Petit Grain, Rose, and Sage. A major attribute of the Spikenard Oil is that it is considered to be non-toxic, non-irritant, and non-sensitizing.

Spikenard Essential Oil Uses

Spikenard Oil is used a sedative and an herbal medicine to fight insomnia, birth difficulties, and other minor ailments. Spikenard Oil has also been used as a perfume and in incense. When combined with carrier oil as jojoba, sweet almond, or avocado, Spikenard Essential Oil can be applied to the skin or added to baths. For many uses you can sprinkle a few drops of Spikenard Essential Oil onto a cloth or cotton ball and breathe in the scent. Or add a few drops of Spikenard Oil to an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporizer.

For skin enhancement and to aid in mild rashes or other skin conditions, just add a few drops of Spikenard Essential Oil on a cotton ball and apply to the affected area daily, until the rash in gone.

There are many forms to utilize Spikenard Essential Oil in Aromatherapy, here are a few examples:

• Inhalation –just add two to three drops of Spikenard Essential Oil into a bowel of steaming hot water. Take a towel and drape it over your head to capture the steam. Hold your head over the bowel with the towel for a few minutes. As long as the water is still steaming, you can repeat the process for the best results.
• Vaporization – the best form of vaporization is to use a nebulizing diffuser. Add pure Spikenard essential Oil to immediately improve your environment.
• Massage – this is probably the most relaxing therapeutic process to receive the aromatherapy benefits of Spikenard. Start with one ounce of massage oil and add fifteen to twenty drops of pure Spikenard Essential Oil. With this massage technique you will not only detoxify the body, but also stimulate the entire circulatory system.
• Bathing – for bathing you need to add a dispersant, which can be alcohol, milk, or golden jojoba. This helps break up the oil on the surface of the water. Add four to six drops of Spikenard Essential Oil to your bath for a relaxing and rejuvenation experience.
• Spray – take a spray bottle and seven ounces of distilled water with one ounce of vodka or 90% rubbing alcohol, then add one teaspoon of Spikenard Essential Oil. Spray wherever you to deodorized or disinfect. This spray works great on linens, towels, furniture, rugs and gives everything a clean smell.

Spikenard Essential Oil Side Effects

Spikenard essential oil does not seem to produce any side effects, but like many essential oils, it is not recommended for use with pregnant women or children. Some essential oils may cause irritation or allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin so it is wise to do a patch test before using regularly.