Spikenard Essential Oil

Spikenard is a flowering plant that grows in the Himalayas of China, India and Nepal. The plant grows to about 1 meter in height and has pink, bell-shaped flowers. Spikenard 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, incense, a sedative, and an herbal medicine said to fight insomnia, birth difficulties, and other minor ailments.

The oil was known in ancient times and was part of the Ayurvedic herbal tradition of India. It was obtained as a luxury in ancient Egypt, the Near East, and Rome, where it was the main ingredient of the perfume nardinium. Pliny's Natural History lists twelve species of "nard", identifiable with varying assurance, in a range from lavender stoechas and tuberous valerian to true nard (in modern terms Nardostachys jatamansi).

Spikenard essential oil provides energy that improves emotional healing, especially for those who do not use the power of will properly. This oil helps release old pain, deep-seated grief, the need to control, and rebelliousness. This helps to facilitate and induce meditation, and has also been used as an anointing oil since biblical times. It is also one of the eleven herbs used as incense in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Nard is mentioned twice in the biblical love poem, the Song of Solomon (1:12 and 4:13). In Mark 14:3 a woman anoints Jesus' head with expensive nard and John 12:3, Mary, sister of Lazarus uses an alabaster jar of pure nard to anoint Jesus's feet, offending Judas Iscariot, the dishonest keeper of the apostle's money-bag, causing Judas to ask her why she didn't sell the ointment for three hundred denarii (About a years wages, as the average agricultural worker received 1 denarius for 12 hours work: Matthew 20:2) and give the money to the poor. Earlier in Jesus' ministry (Luke 7:37-50), an unnamed sinful woman also anoints his feet, washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair. The costly perfume she used came from an alabaster jar, indicating that it was most likely nard. A jar of spikenard in their society was very expensive.

Spikenard oil is also known for its purification properties, and can be used as a diuretic, an antifungal, and it helps with the treatment of rashes and skin allergies. This oil is also useful in helping to regulate the menstrual cycle, and to help with the transition from life to death in those undergoing palliative care. It is also used as a perfume due to its delicate scent.

*The statements above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.