Description

Nardostachys jatamansi, the Himalayan spikenard, is a small perennial herb of the family Caprifoliaceae, endemic to the sub-alpine and alpine zones of the Himalayas from Nepal through Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh to Bhutan and the Tibetan Plateau, growing in rocky meadows and screes at 3,000–5,000 metres elevation. The densely matted, highly aromatic rhizome carries an earthy, woody, musky fragrance and has been traded as a luxury aromatic since the ancient Silk Route era. Referenced in the Song of Solomon, the Ebers Papyrus, Dioscorides, and the Charaka Samhita under the name Jatamansi, the rhizome holds a unique position in the pharmacological traditions of multiple ancient civilisations. In Ayurveda, it is classified as a Medhya Rasayana, traditionally incorporated in formulations for neurological calm, hair health, and skin conditions. It is listed as Vulnerable by IUCN.