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The health benefits of Spikenard Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti inflammatory, deodorant, laxative, sedative and uterine
This plant is very famous in the Indian Subcontinent by the name of Jatamansi and is very much used in herbal medicines. Several herbal medicinal preparations based on this plant can be found in the markets, particularly of India and a few of its neighbouring countries. This plant is native to Nepal and is called Nardostachys Jatamansi in botanical terminology. The main traditional use of this plant was on skin and female reproductive organs such as uterus and ovaries. Due to its earthy and somewhat wet soil like smell, resembling that of moss, it is also used in aromatherapy as a sedative and calming agent. The essential oil of Spikenard is extracted by steam distillation of the resin obtained from this plant and it contains aristolene, calarene, clalarenol, coumarin, dihydroazulenes, jatamanshinic acid, nardol, nardostachone, valerianol, valeranal and valeranone as its chief components, which attribute to its medicinal properties.
The uses of Spikenard discussed above are not its only uses. Its essential oil has a number of other medicinal uses which are display below.
- Anti Bacterial: This is one of the properties which makes this oil (and of course, Spikenard), a potent remedy for many skin ailments resulting from bacterial infections. And not only on skin but it helps terminate the bacterial growth inside the body too. It can be applied on wounds to protect them from bacterial infection and is found effective in curing bacterial infections in urethra, urinary bladder, kidneys, athlete’s foot, cholera, food poisoning, septic, tetanus etc.
- Anti Fungal: This property, aided by the anti bacterial property, makes Essential Oil of Spikenard an efficient skin care agent. It helps cure ailments caused by fungal infections on the skin and inside, such as food poisoning by fungus, dermatitis, patches on skin, itches, deformation in skin, psoriasis etc.
- Anti Inflammatory: This property of Spikenard, which in inherited by its essential oil too, makes it fight nearly all sorts of inflammations, be it nervous, be it in the digestive system or be it in the respiratory system.
- Deodorant: The earthy and wet soil like mossy fragrance of Essential Oil of Spikenard is really a pleasure to the nostrils and the mind. It is very soothing on nerves and mind and gives a comfortable feeling. So, no wonder that such a fragrance would be used as a deodorant. Further, it is not harsh and does not give you headaches or allergies like many synthetic deodorants do.
- Laxative: The constipation or improper excretion is the root to almost seventy percent of ailments we suffer from. It is mentally and psychologically disturbing too. Laxatives are there to help you out, but many of them (particularly the synthetic ones) are very harsh on the entire digestive and excretory system and dry out the inner walls of food pipe, intestines and excretory tracts by washing out the mucus membrane.
- Sedative: It is a well known sedative and helps maintain physical, mental and psychological balance. It sedates inflammations in digestive and nervous system, irritations, nervous afflictions, convulsions, depression, stress and feelings like anxiety, anger, panic etc. It also sedates cardiac problems such as abnormal palpitations, restlessness etc. This sedating and relaxing also helps patients of insomnia to get sleep.
- Uterine: This oil is used as depurative for the uterus and the ovaries. It stimulates uterus and ovaries and secretion of hormones like estrogen and progesterone which help maintain proper health and reproductive capabilities of these organs.
- Other Benefits: It can be used to treat allergies, fever, haemorrhoids, varicose veins, pain of angina etc. and for aiding regeneration of cells, healing of wounds, circulation of blood & lymph and secretion of hormones and enzymes. In aromatherapy, this oil is employed for inducing mental peace, harmony, truthfulness etc.
Few Words of Caution: No threats. This oil is non irritant and non toxic.
Blending: The essential oils of frankincense, lavender, myrrh, orange, petit grain, rose and sage blend well with the Essential Oil of Spikenard.
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This article was contributed by Aparup Mukherjee.
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