Essential Oils & Aromatherapy · Essential oil
Spikenard Oil
Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC. · also called Spikenard oil, jatamansi oil, Indian spikenard oil, nard oil
Spikenard oil is an aromatic essential oil distilled from the rhizome (underground stem) of an Himalayan plant. It appears in traditional calming and head-massage oils. The research is thin: one open-label trial of a medicated Ayurvedic oil, mouse studies, and lab work. The main cautions: never swallow it, and the plant is endangered and overharvested in the wild.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Spikenard Oil
Spikenard oil is an aromatic oil distilled from the rhizome of an endangered Himalayan plant. Small studies hint at calm, but the only human trial used a medicated sesame-oil product with other treatments, and the rest is mice and test tubes. Safety comes first: do not swallow it, keep it from children and pets, and know that wild harvest threatens the plant.
An endangered plant
Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) is in CITES Appendix II, meaning its international trade is controlled. A 2025 journal paper reports it as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List; TRAFFIC calls it Threatened. We did not open the IUCN or CITES records themselves.
TRAFFIC says 100-500 tonnes of rhizomes are traded each year from Nepal, mostly for medicine and cosmetics, and that populations are declining from habitat loss and overharvesting. A 2023 study found harvesting in parts of Nepal was unsustainable, and that official and CITES records did not match the likely trade.
Because the oil comes from the dug-up rhizome, buying it can add to wild harvest. Ask where the plant was grown.
What spikenard oil is
The oil comes from Nardostachys jatamansi (GBIF: accepted name; Nardostachys grandiflora is a synonym). Both names appear in papers, and the plant is in the honeysuckle family.
The oil is a mixture. One root oil was mostly valeranone, tau-cadinol and patchouli alcohol. A Nepal oil was mostly different compounds. Across 38 batches, marker compounds varied 4- to 6-fold, so bottles differ.
Jatamansi Taila, used in the breast cancer trial, is a different product: a decoction evaporated into sesame oil.
What people use it for, and how strong the evidence is
For stress and distress, one open-label trial of 70 people with triple-negative breast cancer reported less distress and better quality of life after a head treatment with Jatamansi Taila. Everyone knew who got it, other Ayurvedic medicines were given, the oil is not a distilled essential oil, and the team has a patent interest. We rate it very low.
For sleep and anxiety, scent studies in mice are encouraging, but no human trial of the essential oil was found.
Lab work looked at skin pigment, skin-cell inflammation proteins, antioxidant and germ-killing tests and cancer cells. These are cells, fish and test tubes only. They do not show the oil helps people.
The research in one view
One human trial of a medicated oil, rated very low. Everything else is animal or laboratory. No trial of distilled spikenard oil in people was found.
No dose, strength or way to use the oil is given on this page, and none is known to be safe.
How it is regulated
The FDA says a product claiming to treat anxiety or ease pain is a drug that needs approval. Aromatherapy oils sold as cosmetics or fragrance do not need approval before sale. We found no spikenard-specific regulator statement.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Ayurvedic practitioners have used jatamansi for centuries for the mind, strength and skin (2024 paper).
- Traditional Chinese medicine used the herb to regulate qi flow, ease pain and aid digestion (2026 paper).
- The rhizome is traded for medicine, cosmetics and religious use (TRAFFIC; Bhutan paper).
Studied for research
- Distress in breast cancer, Ayurvedic medicated oil, very-low
- Sleep loss and anxiety-like behaviour in mice, insufficient
- Skin pigment in cells and fish, insufficient
- Skin-cell inflammation proteins, insufficient
- Antioxidant and germ-killing tests, insufficient
- Colon cancer cells in a dish, insufficient
Main compounds
- Valeranone, a leading compound in one root oil
- Tau-cadinol, a leading compound in the same oil
- Patchouli alcohol, found in the same oil
- Aristolone, a quality marker compound
- Calarene, found in Nepal oil and extract
Common forms
- Essential oil (distilled from the rhizome)
- Ayurvedic medicated oil (Jatamansi Taila, a decoction in sesame oil; a different product)
- Dried rhizome or powder (herb page)
Research links: Poison Control: Essential oils · Pet Poison Helpline: Essential oils · FDA: Aromatherapy · TRAFFIC: Jatamansi trade from Nepal · Sustainability of trade in Nardostachys jatamansi, PNAS Nexus (abstract) · Jatamansi Taila trial in breast cancer (abstract) · GBIF: Nardostachys jatamansi · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Nardostachys jatamansi
- Naming authority
- (D.Don) DC.
- Synonyms
- Name: Nardostachys grandiflora Wall. ex DC.; Status: SYNONYM (GBIF)
- Common names
- Spikenard (English); Jatamansi (Sanskrit/Hindi); Indian spikenard (English); Nard (English)
- Family or group
- Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle family), per GBIF.
- Classification
- Plantae > Caprifoliaceae > Nardostachys > Nardostachys jatamansi
- Native range
- The Himalayas (the Bhutan, Nepal and India papers read).
- Habitat
- Alpine zone (Bhutan paper).
- What it looks like
- Part used: The oil is distilled from the rhizome, the underground stem (papers read).
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Other plants called spikenard; Note: The common name is used for other plants. Which ones, and whether oils get confused, was not checked in a source read. This page covers Nardostachys only.; Name: Valerian (Valeriana); Note: A different plant in a related plant family; results do not carry over. Mentioned only because both are used as calming herbs.
- Sustainability and conservation
- CITES Appendix II and reported Critically Endangered (IUCN) according to a 2025 journal paper and TRAFFIC; wild populations declining from habitat loss and overharvesting. IUCN and CITES records not opened first-hand. See Safety.
Photographs
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ayurveda | A 2024 paper says jatamansi has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners for centuries for the mind, strength and skin disorders, in forms such as infusion, decoction, distillate and powder. | Chavan et al 2024 (abstract) |
| Traditional Chinese medicine | A 2026 paper says the herb has been used to regulate qi flow, ease pain and aid digestion. | Zhang et al 2026 (abstract) |
| Trade: medicine, cosmetics, religion | TRAFFIC says the rhizome is traded for medicinal and cosmetic use; the Bhutan paper adds religious use. | TRAFFIC; Phuntsho et al 2025 |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valeranone PubChem 171455 | sesquiterpene ketone | Rhizome oil 29.76% in one root oil (colon cell paper) | Part of an oil that was toxic to cancer cells in a dish; no effect in people read. 8 12 | Laboratory |
| tau-Cadinol | sesquiterpene alcohol | Rhizome oil 23.25% in the same oil | Named, no separate activity read. (PubChem lookup for this exact name did not return a clean match, so no CID is given.) 12 | Laboratory |
| Patchouli alcohol PubChem 10955174 | sesquiterpene alcohol | Rhizome oil 8.58% in the same oil | Named only. 8 12 | Laboratory |
| Aristolone PubChem 165536 | sesquiterpene ketone | Rhizome oil 0.0201-0.0870% across 38 batches | Quality-marker compound. 8 16 | Chemistry |
| Calarene | sesquiterpene | Rhizome oil 9.4% in a Nepal oil; abundant in a hexane extract | Reproduced the sedation of the extract in mice. 10 14 | Animal research |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAOA gene, cardiac nerve remodelling and amino-acid handling (mice) | MAOA | In sleep-deprived mice the authors link the scent to the MAOA gene using gene data, docking and computer modelling. 17 | Animal research |
| Melanin production (tyrosinase and related proteins) | TYR, TRP-1, DCT | The volatile oil lowered tyrosinase and related proteins and the number of mature melanosomes in mouse melanoma cells. 18 | Laboratory research |
| Cell death in colon cancer cells | Not specified | The root oil triggered apoptosis and altered the cell cycle in HCT-116 cells. 12 | Laboratory research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not established in the sources read.
- Distribution
- Not established.
- Metabolism
- Not established.
- Elimination
- Not established.
- Bioavailability
- Not established.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
The oil is a mixture of 30 to 80 compounds, and its makeup changes with place and batch: three markers varied 4- to 6-fold across 38 batches, and a Nepal sample differed from Indian, Chinese and Pakistani oils. Jatamansi Taila is a different product again: a decoction evaporated into sesame oil.
Nutritional composition
Spikenard oil is not a nutrient and is not something to swallow.
1 very low certainty5 not enough evidence
What is Spikenard Oil good for?
The uses people ask about and how strong the evidence is for each. Read the certainty label first: nothing here is better than very low, and the only human trial used a medicated oil, not the distilled essential oil.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Distress and anxiety in breast cancer (Jatamansi Taila head treatment, an Ayurvedic medicated oil)
Very low certaintyOne open-label trial of 70 people with triple-negative breast cancer found less distress and better quality of life in those who also had a head treatment with Jatamansi Taila. The oil is a medicated sesame-oil product, not a distilled essential oil, and everyone knew who got it.
2 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One open-label randomised trial: 70 people, 35 with oral Ayurvedic medicines plus Jatamansi Taila Shirodhara and 35 with oral Ayurvedic medicines only.
Results
The authors report relief of anxiety and distress symptoms (sleep trouble, difficulty concentrating, fearfulness) right after the procedure and better quality of life (QLQ-C30, QLQ-BR23 scores). The abstract gives no numbers.
Effect sizes as reported
None in the abstract.
Why this rating
One small trial, open label, no matching procedure in the comparison group, the product is a medicated oil rather than essential oil, and the team declared a patent interest. No numbers could be checked.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Adults aged 20-70 with triple-negative breast cancer who had finished conventional treatment.
Limits
Cannot separate the oil from the ritual, attention, expectation or the other Ayurvedic medicines. Not evidence for healthy people, for scent, or for distilled spikenard oil.
Why researchers looked
Jatamansi is a long-used Ayurvedic plant, and a head-anointing oil is a calming ritual for people under heavy stress.
Traditional use
The 2024 paper says Ayurvedic practitioners have used jatamansi for centuries, for the mind (Medhya), strength (Balya) and skin.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established. Expectation, the relaxing ritual, touch and the oil may all play a part; the trial did not test why.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Ayurvedic treatment in this trial was given on top of other Ayurvedic medicines. It does not show the oil is safe for everyone. See Safety.
Sleep loss, anxiety-like behaviour and calm in mice (scent of the oil)
Not enough evidenceIn sleep-deprived mice, breathing the scent of the oil improved brain-wave activity and eased anxiety-like and depression-like behaviour. An older mouse study found a spikenard extract was sedating. No human sleep trial of the oil was found.
2 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None for the essential oil.
Results
2025: improved brain waves, less anxiety-like and depression-like behaviour and less heart injury in sleep-deprived mice. 2008: vapour of a hexane extract of spikenard and of calarene alone sedated mice.
Effect sizes as reported
No numbers in the abstracts.
Why this rating
Mice only. What helps a mouse does not show an effect in people.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Mice.
Limits
The 2008 study used a solvent extract, not the distilled oil, and the abstract does not name the species. Part of the 2025 mechanism is computer modelling.
Why researchers looked
Spikenard has a calming reputation, so researchers tested its scent in animals.
Traditional use
Jatamansi is traditionally used as a calming plant (2024 and 2025 papers).
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The 2025 authors link the effect to the MAOA gene using gene data and computer modelling. In 2008, calarene in a hexane extract reproduced the sedation in mice.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Animal result only. Do not use it as a reason to try the oil for sleep problems; talk to a doctor.
Skin pigment (volatile oil in cells, skin samples and zebrafish)
Not enough evidenceIn cells, human skin tissue samples and zebrafish, a volatile oil from the plant reduced melanin made under stress chemicals. Nothing was tested on people.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None.
Results
Melanin and tyrosinase activity fell (P<0.01) in mouse melanoma cells; pigmentation was lower in human skin tissue samples (P<0.05); zebrafish had less pigment (P<0.01).
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes in the abstract.
Why this rating
Cells, test tubes or fish only; nothing in people.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Not applicable (no people).
Limits
Two authors work for a cosmetics company.
Why researchers looked
Stress is thought to darken skin; researchers looked for a plant that might lessen it.
Traditional use
None specific in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
The authors report lower levels of tyrosinase and related proteins and fewer mature melanosomes.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Laboratory result only. It is not a reason to use the oil on the skin or to swallow it. See Safety.
Inflammation-related proteins in human skin cells (spikenard oil among ten oils)
Not enough evidenceIn skin cells in a dish, spikenard oil, with bergamot and cilantro oils, lowered proteins linked to inflammation and tissue remodelling. All ten oils slowed cell growth, which is not a benefit.
1 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None.
Results
Spikenard, bergamot and cilantro oils mainly inhibited proteins linked to inflammation, immune response and tissue remodelling.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes in the abstract.
Why this rating
Cells, test tubes or fish only; nothing in people.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Not applicable (no people).
Limits
All oils were anti-proliferative, which can also signal toxicity. The abstract does not say which Nardostachys species it was.
Why researchers looked
Skin-care interest in oils for wound healing.
Traditional use
None specific in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Laboratory result only. It is not a reason to use the oil on the skin or to swallow it. See Safety.
Antioxidant and germ-killing tests (test tube)
Not enough evidenceIn test tubes the oil mopped up free radicals and slowed two kinds of bacteria. One Nepal rhizome oil also slowed a yeast.
2 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None.
Results
2026: antioxidant activity (superoxide scavenging better than ascorbic acid) and antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. 2015 (N. grandiflora oil, Nepal): slowed Bacillus cereus, E. coli and Candida albicans (MIC 156 micrograms/mL).
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes in the abstract.
Why this rating
Cells, test tubes or fish only; nothing in people.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Not applicable (no people).
Limits
Test-tube strengths do not predict effects in the body, and no one tested the oil on an infection.
Why researchers looked
Plant oils are often screened for these properties.
Traditional use
None specific in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Laboratory result only. It is not a reason to use the oil on the skin or to swallow it. See Safety.
Colon cancer cells in a dish (root oil)
Not enough evidenceThe root oil killed human colon cancer cells grown in a dish. A Nepal rhizome oil was also toxic to a breast cancer cell line. This is not evidence that the oil prevents or treats cancer.
2 studiesNot covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None.
Results
The oil reduced the survival of HCT-116 colon cancer cells and triggered cell death (apoptosis) in the authors report.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes in the abstract.
Why this rating
Cells, test tubes or fish only; nothing in people.
Form and dose studied
Not covered. This page gives no amounts and no way to use the oil.
Who was studied
Not applicable (no people).
Limits
One cell line; no healthy-cell comparison described in the abstract. A substance that kills cells in a dish may harm healthy cells too.
Why researchers looked
Plant terpenes are screened for cell-killing activity.
Traditional use
None specific in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Laboratory result only. It is not a reason to use the oil on the skin or to swallow it. See Safety.
Connections to the rest of health
How Spikenard Oil connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stress Reduction | Very low certainty | Distress and anxiety in breast cancer (Jatamansi Taila head treatment, an Ayurvedic medicated oil): One open-label trial of 70 people with triple-negative breast cancer found less distress and better quality of life in those who also had a head treatment with Jatamansi Taila. The oil is a medicated sesame-oil product, not a distilled essential oil, and everyone knew who got it. | 9 1 | |
| Anxiety Support | Very low certainty | Distress and anxiety in breast cancer (Jatamansi Taila head treatment, an Ayurvedic medicated oil): One open-label trial of 70 people with triple-negative breast cancer found less distress and better quality of life in those who also had a head treatment with Jatamansi Taila. The oil is a medicated sesame-oil product, not a distilled essential oil, and everyone knew who got it. | 9 1 | |
| Better Sleep | Not enough evidence | Sleep loss, anxiety-like behaviour and calm in mice (scent of the oil): In sleep-deprived mice, breathing the scent of the oil improved brain-wave activity and eased anxiety-like and depression-like behaviour. An older mouse study found a spikenard extract was sedating. No human sleep trial of the oil was found. | 17 14 | |
| Anxiety Support | Not enough evidence | Sleep loss, anxiety-like behaviour and calm in mice (scent of the oil): In sleep-deprived mice, breathing the scent of the oil improved brain-wave activity and eased anxiety-like and depression-like behaviour. An older mouse study found a spikenard extract was sedating. No human sleep trial of the oil was found. | 17 14 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nervous System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Distress and anxiety in breast cancer (Jatamansi Taila head treatment, an Ayurvedic medicated oil) Studied for: Sleep loss, anxiety-like behaviour and calm in mice (scent of the oil) | 9 1 17 14 |
| Skin | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Skin pigment (volatile oil in cells, skin samples and zebrafish) Studied for: Inflammation-related proteins in human skin cells (spikenard oil among ten oils) | 18 4 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Antioxidant and germ-killing tests (test tube) | 19 10 |
| Digestive System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Colon cancer cells in a dish (root oil) | 12 10 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact dermatitis | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | FDA and Poison Control describe skin irritation and allergy from plant oils in general; no spikenard-specific data. Preparation or compound: Essential oils on the skin (general) |
15 7 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distress, anxiety symptoms and quality of life (QLQ-C30, QLQ-BR23) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: decrease (distress); increase (quality of life). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 9 |
| Brain-wave (EEG) activity in sleep-deprived mice | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: improved (authors). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 17 |
| Melanin content and tyrosinase activity (cells and tissue) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: decrease (authors). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 18 |
| Cancer cell survival in a dish (MTT assay) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: decrease (cells killed). A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 12 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valeranone | Biological association | Laboratory | Part of an oil that was toxic to cancer cells in a dish; no effect in people read. Preparation or compound: Rhizome oil |
8 12 |
| tau-Cadinol | Biological association | Laboratory | Named, no separate activity read. (PubChem lookup for this exact name did not return a clean match, so no CID is given.) Preparation or compound: Rhizome oil |
12 |
| Patchouli alcohol | Biological association | Laboratory | Named only. Preparation or compound: Rhizome oil |
8 12 |
| Aristolone | Biological association | Chemistry | Quality-marker compound. Preparation or compound: Rhizome oil |
8 16 |
| Calarene | Biological association | Animal | Reproduced the sedation of the extract in mice. Preparation or compound: Rhizome oil |
10 14 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
The evidence
The research centre for Spikenard Oil. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read the abstracts of 11 PubMed papers, the TRAFFIC, Poison Control, Pet Poison Helpline and FDA pages and the Journal of Threatened Taxa paper, and checked the plant name in GBIF and three compounds in PubChem. We did not find or read a LiverTox, LactMed, IFRA or Tisserand statement.
Study library: every study we checked 19
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chavan 2024 Standardization and preliminary characterization of an ayurvedic stress-relieving head massage oil of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. J Ayurveda Integr Med · PMID 38552438 · DOI |
Chemical characterisation chemistry |
Three batches of Jatamansi oil | Jatamansi oil made by evaporating a decoction in sesame oil Jatamansi (N. jatamansi) raw material Not reported here |
The oil was made by evaporating a decoction in sesame oil. Compared with plain sesame oil, 18 extra peaks showed up on GC-MS, so some plant compounds end up in the oil. 18 additional peaks Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Physical and chemical profile (GC-MS) Limitations: A quality-control paper, not a health study. It shows the Ayurvedic oil is a different product from a distilled essential oil. Funding and conflicts: Competing interest declared: the oil is part of patent applications (Indian, PCT, US). Read: abstract |
| GBIF 2026 GBIF match: Nardostachys jatamansi n/a · Source |
Registry or database n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Accepted species Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC., status ACCEPTED, family Caprifoliaceae, usage key 4095989, match EXACT, confidence 97 (match API read 2026-10-25). Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety or conservation statements Read: full-text |
| GBIF 2026 GBIF match: Nardostachys grandiflora n/a · Source |
Registry or database n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Nardostachys grandiflora Wall. ex DC. is listed as a SYNONYM of key 4095989 (N. jatamansi), family Caprifoliaceae (match API read 2026-10-25). Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety or conservation statements Read: full-text |
| Han 2017 Chemical composition analysis and in vitro biological activities of ten essential oils in human skin cells. Biochim Open · PMID 29450150 · DOI |
Laboratory study (human skin cells) in vitro |
Pre-inflamed human dermal fibroblasts in a dish | Ten essential oils or blends, including spikenard oil Not stated in the abstract Not reported here |
All ten oils slowed the growth of the skin cells. Bergamot, cilantro and spikenard oils mainly reduced proteins linked to inflammation, immune responses and tissue remodelling, which the authors read as hints of anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. No numbers in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Proteins linked to inflammation, immune response and tissue remodelling Limitations: Skin cells in a dish. Slowing cell growth is not a benefit and may signal toxicity. The abstract does not say which Nardostachys species the spikenard oil was or who funded the work. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Pet Poison Helpline Essential oils n/a · Source |
Regulator/safety web page n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Essential oil poisoning can affect all species, but cats and birds are at greatest risk. Swallowing is the highest-risk route, then skin contact; breathing in is the lowest-risk route. Signs include drooling, vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite and irritation, usually within 6-8 hours. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety or conservation statements Limitations: Spikenard is not mentioned on the page. Read: full-text |
| Phuntsho 2025 Potential distribution, habitat composition, preference and threats to Spikenard Nardostachys jatamansi in Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhutan n/a · Source |
Journal article (full text) n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Paper says the species is Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List (criteria A2cd, citing Chauhan 2021; the abstract cites a 2025 assessment), is in CITES Appendix II, and that severe overharvesting of the rhizome throughout the Himalayas has jeopardised many natural populations. Other threats named: grazing, climate change, land-use change, slow growth. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety or conservation statements Limitations: The paper is the source for the IUCN wording; we did not open the IUCN Red List page itself. Its abstract and introduction cite different years for the assessment. Read: full-text |
| Poison Control (US) Essential oils: Poisonous when misused n/a · Source |
Regulator/safety web page n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Swallowed essential oils can be seriously poisonous. Dilute oils on skin, do not use them on damaged skin, and wash off with soap and water if a rash appears. Children have thin skin and immature livers and may be more susceptible. Keep oils out of reach of children and pets. Call 1-800-222-1222 (US) after a swallow or allergic reaction. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety or conservation statements Limitations: General essential-oil advice. Spikenard is not named. The page does not address pregnancy. Read: full-text |
| PubChem 2026 PubChem compound records: valeranone, patchouli alcohol, aristolone n/a · Source |
Registry or database n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
CIDs read through the PubChem name lookup on 2026-10-25: valeranone 171455 (C15H26O), patchouli alcohol 10955174 (C15H26O), aristolone 165536 (C15H22O). Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety or conservation statements Read: full-text |
| Sardeshmukh 2025 Mind relaxation effect of Jatamansi Taila Shirodhara on psychological distress in Triple Negative Breast Cancer patients - results of an open-labelled, randomised controlled clinical trial. J Ayurveda Integr Med · PMID 39874651 · DOI |
Open label randomised controlled trial (two arms) |
70 People aged 20-70 with triple-negative breast cancer who had finished conventional therapy and chose Ayurvedic treatment (India) |
Jatamansi Taila (a medicated oil) used in Shirodhara, plus oral Ayurvedic medicines Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) preparation in oil; part not stated in the abstract Not reported here Not stated in the abstract · vs Group B: oral Ayurvedic medicines only (35 vs 35) |
The authors report Jatamansi Taila Shirodhara relieved anxiety and distress symptoms right after the procedure (sleep disturbance, trouble concentrating, fearfulness) and improved quality of life. The abstract gives no numbers. No effect sizes or p-values in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Anxiety and distress symptoms; quality of life (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23) Limitations: Open label, so patients and staff knew who got the extra treatment. The comparison group got no similar-feeling procedure. The medicated oil is not a distilled essential oil. The trial was done by the team that is patenting a kit that includes this oil. Funding and conflicts: Competing interest declared: the oil is part of a patent application for a herbo-mineral kit for this cancer (Indian, PCT and US applications). Read: abstract |
| Satyal 2015 Chemical Composition of Nardostachys grandiflora Rhizome Oil from Nepal--A Contribution to the Chemotaxonomy and Bioactivity of Nardostachys. Nat Prod Commun · PMID 26197553 |
Chemical analysis plus laboratory tests chemistry / in vitro |
One rhizome oil sample from Jaljale, Nepal | N. grandiflora rhizome essential oil dried rhizome Not reported here |
Yield 1.4%. 72 compounds (93.8%): 1(10)-aristolen-9-beta-ol 11.6%, calarene 9.4%, jatamansone 7.9%, valerena-4,7(11)-diene 7.1%, nardol A 6.0%, cis-valerinic acid 5.7%, valeranal 5.6%. The authors say it differs qualitatively from Indian, Chinese and Pakistani Nardostachys oils. In test tubes it slowed Bacillus cereus, E. coli and Candida albicans (MIC 156 micrograms/mL) and was toxic to MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Composition percentages as above Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Composition; antimicrobial and cell-killing activity in a dish Limitations: One sample. Lab tests only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Smith-Hall 2023 The sustainability of trade in wild plants-A data-integration approach tested on critically endangered Nardostachys jatamansi. PNAS Nexus · PMID 37954162 · DOI |
Trade and ecology study (modelling and interviews) plant / trade |
Nardostachys jatamansi trade in Nepal | Wild-harvested plant (rhizomes) trade rhizome Not reported here |
The authors found increased trade and unsustainable harvesting concentrated in specific places in Nepal. Data reported in government records and to CITES did not reflect estimated trade levels and could not be used to assess sustainability. They say changed harvesting practices could allow higher sustainable harvests across the country. No numbers in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Traded amounts compared with sustainable harvest scenarios Limitations: About the plant trade in Nepal, not about oil specifically. The abstract does not give how much goes to oil. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Sumayya 2026 Sesquiterpene-rich Root Essential Oil of Nardostachys jatamansi Exhibits Antiproliferative and Pro-apoptotic Activity in Colon Cancer Cells. Appl Biochem Biotechnol · PMID 41886171 · DOI |
Laboratory study (cells) in vitro |
HCT-116 human colon cancer cells in a dish | N. jatamansi root essential oil root Not reported here |
The oil was toxic to the colon cancer cells and triggered cell death. GC-MS found valeranone (29.76%), tau-cadinol (23.25%) and patchouli alcohol (8.58%) as the biggest compounds. No numbers on killing in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cell viability, cell death and cell cycle Limitations: Cells in a dish, one cell line. Killing cells in a dish says nothing about treating cancer, and an oil that is toxic to cells may also harm healthy tissue. No normal-cell comparison is described in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Authors declared no conflicts. Read: abstract |
| TRAFFIC Jatamansi trade from Nepal n/a · Source |
Regulator/safety web page n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
Page says jatamansi is listed in CITES Appendix II, is classified Threatened on the IUCN Red List, that 100-500 tonnes of rhizomes are traded each year for medicinal and cosmetic use, that populations are declining, and that habitat loss and overharvesting are the main drivers. The page shows no date. It does not mention essential oil in the text we read. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety or conservation statements Limitations: No publication date on the page. The page text read did not name the Latin name; our earlier notes say TRAFFIC uses Nardostachys grandiflora. Read: full-text |
| Takemoto 2008 Sedative effects of vapor inhalation of agarwood oil and spikenard extract and identification of their active components. J Nat Med · PMID 18404340 · DOI |
Animal study (mice) mouse |
Mice | Vapour of a hexane extract of spikenard (not a distilled oil), and of single compounds such as calarene Not stated in the abstract Not reported here |
A hexane extract of spikenard (rich in calarene) had a sedative effect on mice when its vapour was inhaled. Calarene alone gave the same result. No numbers in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Sedation (movement) after vapour inhalation Limitations: A solvent extract of spikenard, not the distilled oil, and the species is not stated in the abstract. Mice only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| US Food and Drug Administration Aromatherapy n/a · Source |
Regulator/safety web page n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a Not reported here |
How FDA treats an aromatherapy product depends on its intended use. Claims such as relieving pain or treating anxiety make a product a drug that needs FDA approval. Plant materials can be toxic, irritating or allergenic on skin; plant origin does not make an oil safe. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety or conservation statements Limitations: General statement, not about spikenard. Read: full-text |
| Wang 2026 A rapid and environmental-friendly method for characterization and determination of the major sesquiterpenoid constituents in the essential oil of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. J Chromatogr A · PMID 41349259 · DOI |
Chemical analysis method chemistry |
38 38 batches of N. jatamansi essential oil |
N. jatamansi essential oil (38 batches) Not stated in the abstract Not reported here |
81 compounds were tentatively identified by one method and 35 by another. Three main ketones were measured across 38 batches: 1,8,9,10-tetradehydroaristolan-2-one 0.0804-0.4876 %, aristolone 0.0201-0.0870 %, kanshone H 0.0083-0.0444 %. Ranges across batches differ roughly 6-fold, 4-fold and 5-fold Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Chemical makeup; amounts of three sesquiterpenones Limitations: A chemistry paper, not a health study. Funding and conflicts: Authors declared no conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Yang 2025 Aromatherapy With Nardostachys Jatamansi DC. Essential Oil Targeting the MAOA Gene Regulates Cardiac Neural Remodeling and Amino Acid Metabolism to Alleviate Sleep Deprivation-Induced Myocardial Injury. FASEB J · PMID 40364704 · DOI |
Animal study (mice) mouse |
Sleep-deprived mice | Aromatherapy (scent) with N. jatamansi essential oil Not stated in the abstract Not reported here |
In sleep-deprived mice the scent improved brain-wave activity, eased anxiety-like and depression-like behaviour, reduced heart injury and restored heart function. The authors link this to the MAOA gene using gene data and computer modelling. No numbers in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Brain-wave (EEG) activity, anxiety-like and depression-like behaviour, heart-injury markers and heart function Limitations: Mice only. Not a human sleep or anxiety trial. Part of the mechanism is computer modelling. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Yang 2025 Inhibitory Effects of Nardostachys Jatamansi DC. Volatile Oil on Psychological Factors SP/CORT-Induced Hyperpigmentation. Chin J Integr Med · PMID 41342982 · DOI |
Laboratory study (cells, human skin tissue samples, zebrafish) in vitro / zebrafish |
Mouse melanoma cells, human skin tissue samples, zebrafish | N. jatamansi volatile oil Not stated in the abstract Not reported here |
The oil reduced melanin and tyrosinase activity (P<0.01) in mouse melanoma cells exposed to stress chemicals, lowered pigmentation in human skin tissue samples (P<0.05) and reduced pigment in zebrafish (P<0.01). P values only in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Melanin, tyrosinase activity, pigment Limitations: Cells, tissue samples and fish. Nothing was tested on people. Two authors work for a cosmetics company, which sells skin products. Funding and conflicts: Authors declared no conflicts, though two are affiliated with a cosmetics company. Read: abstract |
| Zhang 2026 Chemical analysis, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Nardostachys jatamansi essential oil, and computational evaluation of mechanisms. Front Nutr · PMID 41852677 · DOI |
Laboratory study with computer modelling in vitro |
Test-tube assays; two bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli) | Hydrodistilled N. jatamansi essential oil Not stated in the abstract Not reported here |
Yield was 4.28%. GC-MS found 30 compounds (99.61% of the oil): terpenes 68.83% and aromatic compounds 15.01%. The oil scavenged free radicals in test tubes (superoxide scavenging better than ascorbic acid) and showed antibacterial activity against both bacteria. No inhibition numbers in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Radical-scavenging (antioxidant) assays; bacterial growth Limitations: Test tube and computer modelling only. The compound the authors single out was a modelling result. Funding and conflicts: Authors declared no conflicts. Read: abstract |
What we do not know yet
- What the evidence supports: calm, sleep and distress are very-low or insufficient. The only human trial used a medicated oil, not the essential oil.
- No skin-sensitisation, poisoning, pregnancy, pet or interaction data specific to spikenard oil.
- No study of adulteration of spikenard oil.
- IUCN and CITES records not read first-hand.
- No blinded human trial of the distilled oil.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it is added.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 4
Distress, anxiety symptoms and quality of life (QLQ-C30, QLQ-BR23)
Decrease (distress); increase (quality of life) in trials
Questionnaire scores about symptoms, daily function and well-being in people with breast cancer.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Main outcomes in the Jatamansi Taila trial.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Self-rated, open label, with extra attention in one group.
Safety implication
A better score does not show the oil treats cancer or is safe for everyone.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Authors report less distress and better quality of life in the group that also had Jatamansi Taila Shirodhara; no numbers in the abstract. |
Brain-wave (EEG) activity in sleep-deprived mice
Improved (authors) in trials
Electrical activity of the brain used to judge sleep and calm in animals.
Not enough evidenceMelanin content and tyrosinase activity (cells and tissue)
Decrease (authors) in trials
Melanin is the skin pigment; tyrosinase is an enzyme needed to make it.
Not enough evidenceCancer cell survival in a dish (MTT assay)
Decrease (cells killed) in trials
A test of how many cells stay alive after a substance is added.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Main outcome in the colon cell study.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Laboratory marker; says nothing about treating cancer.
Safety implication
Cell toxicity is also a reason for caution on healthy tissue.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | The oil was cytotoxic to HCT-116 cells; the abstract gives no numbers. |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 5
- Do not swallow essential oil.. Poison Control says swallowed essential oils can be seriously poisonous. We found no case reports or poisoning data for spikenard oil, and no safe amount is known. If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call poison control (US 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number straight away. Authoritative guidance 7
- Skin: no spikenard-specific allergy data found.. FDA and Poison Control both say plant oils can irritate skin or cause allergy, and that a plant origin does not make an oil safe. We found no patch-test rate, case series or regulator rating for spikenard oil, so its skin risk is simply unknown. A rash means stop and wash with soap and water. Never use an oil neat on the skin or on damaged skin. Authoritative guidance 15 7
- Pets and children.. Pet Poison Helpline says cats and birds are at greatest risk from essential oils, and that signs usually appear within 6-8 hours. Poison Control says children have thin skin and immature livers and may be more susceptible. Spikenard is not named by either, which is not proof it is safe. Keep bottles locked away. Authoritative guidance 5 7
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: not studied.. We found no source on spikenard oil in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so safety is not established. Ask a doctor, midwife or pharmacist before using any essential oil. No data
- The plant is endangered, so buying the oil can add to wild harvesting.. Spikenard is in CITES Appendix II and is reported Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List; overharvesting of the rhizome is a main threat. See the conservation section. Conservation 13 6 11
Side effects 4
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation or allergic skin reaction General statements about plant oils. Nothing spikenard-specific found. | No rate found for spikenard oil | Not graded for spikenard oil Usually settles when exposure stops; Poison Control says wash off with soap and water. | Authoritative guidance 15 7 |
| Poisoning if swallowed (liver and breathing-in-the-lungs risks described for oils in general) Call poison control straight away. Do not wait for symptoms. | No case data for spikenard oil | Can be serious for oils in general (Poison Control) Not described for spikenard oil | Authoritative guidance 7 |
| Cat and bird poisoning (drooling, vomiting, lethargy, irritation) Call a vet or pet poison line. | Not described for spikenard | Pet Poison Helpline: cats and birds at greatest risk Mild cases clear in hours, severe cases may take days (Pet Poison Helpline) | Authoritative guidance 5 |
| Possible toxicity to healthy cells (a cautious reading of the lab work) The root oil killed colon cancer cells in a dish, and all ten oils in a skin-cell study slowed cell growth. This is a laboratory observation, not a known human side effect. | Not applicable | Not applicable Not applicable | Laboratory 12 4 |
Liver
No liver injury linked to spikenard oil was found. LiverTox was not searched for the oil. Poison Control notes children have immature livers and some oils can damage the liver if swallowed (it names pennyroyal as an example, not spikenard). 7
How often. Not established.
Monitoring. Not applicable.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Spikenard Oil supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 1
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedatives, sleep medicines, alcohol, anti-anxiety drugs drug | A 2008 mouse study found vapour of a spikenard extract was sedating; no human interaction study exists. | Unknown. Listed as a precaution only. | Animal research Not enough evidence 14 | If you take sedating medicines, ask a pharmacist before using any scented oil product. |
Who should check first 4
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Swallowing the oil (any person, child or pet) | Do not swallow essential oil. Seek poison-control advice at once if it happens. | Authoritative guidance 7 |
| Known allergy to fragrances or essential oils, damaged or inflamed skin | Avoid, or ask a pharmacist or dermatologist first. Do not put essential oil on damaged skin. | Authoritative guidance 7 15 |
| Pregnancy, breastfeeding, babies and young children | Not shown to be safe; no spikenard-specific data. Ask a doctor, midwife or pharmacist. | No data 7 |
| Homes with cats or birds | Pet Poison Helpline says cats and birds are at greatest risk from essential oils. Keep oils and scents away from them and ask a vet. | Authoritative guidance 5 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No lethal or toxic amount for spikenard oil is described in the sources read, and none is stated here. Poison centres warn about essential oils in general.
Amounts. No safe amount is established, and this page gives none.
Onset and course. Not described for spikenard oil. For pets, signs usually appear within 6-8 hours (Pet Poison Helpline, oils in general).
Repeated use. Not studied for spikenard oil.
Animal data. The mouse studies read were about calm and heart injury, not safety testing. No toxicology study of the oil was read.
Toxic parts. The oil is distilled from the rhizome (underground stem). Which compounds could cause harm is not known from the sources read.
Not read. Tisserand and Young safety profile, RIFM and IFRA assessments, EU cosmetic allergen lists, a supplier safety sheet (one lists the oil as a flammable liquid; not opened here) and LiverTox/LactMed were not read, so no rating is given.
What is in a bottle can differ from the label. For an expensive, endangered plant this matters twice: buyers may get a different plant or a blend, and the real oil may come from wild plants.
Unknown species, strength and contaminants. Poison Control says essential oil products are not well regulated and bottles can differ in species, strength and contaminants. 7
Oil composition varies a lot. Across 38 batches of Nardostachys oil, three marker compounds varied about 4- to 6-fold. A Nepal sample differed qualitatively from Indian, Chinese and Pakistani oils. Two bottles labelled spikenard can therefore be very different. 16 10
Adulteration of spikenard oil. We did not find a study measuring how often spikenard oil is adulterated or sold under the wrong plant name. The name spikenard is also used for other plants; this was not checked in a source read. Do not assume a label is correct.
Wild-harvest source. The Nepal trade study found that records reported to government and CITES did not reflect estimated trade levels, so where a rhizome came from can be hard to trace. 11
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| CITES (as reported by TRAFFIC and Journal of Threatened Taxa) (International) | Nardostachys listed in Appendix II (trade controlled) source | not stated |
| US Food and Drug Administration (United States) | Aromatherapy claims such as treating anxiety make a product a drug; plant origin does not make an oil safe source | not stated |
| Poison Control (US) (United States) | Consumer safety advice on essential oils; call 1-800-222-1222 after swallowing source | not stated |
When to get medical help
- If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call poison control (US 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number straight away, before symptoms start.
- Trouble breathing, swelling of the face or lips, or hives after contact with an oil: call emergency services.
- Choking, coughing or gagging while swallowing oil can send it into the lungs and cause pneumonia (Poison Control).
- A rash after skin contact: stop, wash with soap and water, and see a pharmacist or doctor if it spreads.
- A cat or bird with drooling, vomiting, wobbliness or breathing trouble near oils: call a vet or pet poison line.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is spikenard oil safe to swallow?
No. Do not swallow essential oil. Poison Control warns swallowed oils can be seriously poisonous. We found no spikenard cases and no safe amount is known. If a child or pet may have swallowed any essential oil, call poison control (US 1-800-222-1222) or your emergency number.
Can spikenard oil cause skin reactions?
Is spikenard oil safe in pregnancy?
Unknown. We found no source on spikenard oil in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Ask a doctor, midwife or pharmacist.
Is it safe around pets and children?
Is spikenard an endangered plant?
Does buying spikenard oil harm wild plants?
Does spikenard oil help with sleep or anxiety?
What did the breast cancer trial show?
In 70 people with triple-negative breast cancer, authors reported less distress and better quality of life with a head treatment of Jatamansi Taila. It was open label, the oil is a medicated sesame-oil product, other medicines were given, and the team declared a patent interest. We rate it very low.
Are Jatamansi Taila and spikenard essential oil the same?
Can spikenard oil treat cancer?
No. The root oil killed colon cancer cells in a dish, which says nothing about treatment, and an oil that kills cells in a dish may harm healthy cells too.
Are spikenard oil and jatamansi the same plant?
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We read the abstracts of 11 PubMed papers, the TRAFFIC, Poison Control, Pet Poison Helpline and FDA pages and the Journal of Threatened Taxa paper, and checked the plant name in GBIF and three compounds in PubChem. We did not find or read a LiverTox, LactMed, IFRA or Tisserand statement.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Patent interests are labelled where authors declared them.
Sources 19
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Chavan BS, Gupta VS, Deshmukh VV, et al. Standardization and preliminary characterization of an ayurvedic stress-relieving head massage oil of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2024. PMID 38552438. DOI 10.1016/j.jaim.2024.100900. (abstract)
- GBIF. GBIF match: Nardostachys jatamansi. n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- GBIF. GBIF match: Nardostachys grandiflora. n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- Han X, Beaumont C, Stevens N. Chemical composition analysis and in vitro biological activities of ten essential oils in human skin cells.. Biochim Open. 2017. PMID 29450150. DOI 10.1016/j.biopen.2017.04.001. (abstract)
- Pet Poison Helpline. Essential oils. n/a. . (full-text)
- Phuntsho D, Shacha N, Rinzin P, Tenzin T. Potential distribution, habitat composition, preference and threats to Spikenard Nardostachys jatamansi in Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhutan. n/a. 2025. (full-text)
- Poison Control (US). Essential oils: Poisonous when misused. n/a. . (full-text)
- PubChem. PubChem compound records: valeranone, patchouli alcohol, aristolone. n/a. 2026. (full-text)
- Sardeshmukh S, Deshmukh V, Godse V, et al. Mind relaxation effect of Jatamansi Taila Shirodhara on psychological distress in Triple Negative Breast Cancer patients - results of an open-labelled, randomised controlled clinical trial.. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2025. PMID 39874651. DOI 10.1016/j.jaim.2024.101069. (abstract)
- Satyal P, Chhetri BK, Dosoky NS, et al. Chemical Composition of Nardostachys grandiflora Rhizome Oil from Nepal--A Contribution to the Chemotaxonomy and Bioactivity of Nardostachys.. Nat Prod Commun. 2015. PMID 26197553. (abstract)
- Smith-Hall C, Pyakurel D, Meilby H, et al. The sustainability of trade in wild plants-A data-integration approach tested on critically endangered Nardostachys jatamansi.. PNAS Nexus. 2023. PMID 37954162. DOI 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad328. (abstract)
- Sumayya F, Fatima S, Shahab U, et al. Sesquiterpene-rich Root Essential Oil of Nardostachys jatamansi Exhibits Antiproliferative and Pro-apoptotic Activity in Colon Cancer Cells.. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2026. PMID 41886171. DOI 10.1007/s12010-026-05647-4. (abstract)
- TRAFFIC. Jatamansi trade from Nepal. n/a. . (full-text)
- Takemoto H, Ito M, Shiraki T, et al. Sedative effects of vapor inhalation of agarwood oil and spikenard extract and identification of their active components.. J Nat Med. 2008. PMID 18404340. DOI 10.1007/s11418-007-0177-0. (abstract)
- US Food and Drug Administration. Aromatherapy. n/a. . (full-text)
- Wang R, Zhong H, Shi J, et al. A rapid and environmental-friendly method for characterization and determination of the major sesquiterpenoid constituents in the essential oil of Nardostachys jatamansi DC.. J Chromatogr A. 2026. PMID 41349259. DOI 10.1016/j.chroma.2025.466573. (abstract)
- Yang H, Li Y, Feng L, et al. Aromatherapy With Nardostachys Jatamansi DC. Essential Oil Targeting the MAOA Gene Regulates Cardiac Neural Remodeling and Amino Acid Metabolism to Alleviate Sleep Deprivation-Induced Myocardial Injury.. FASEB J. 2025. PMID 40364704. DOI 10.1096/fj.202500429R. (abstract)
- Yang M, Cheng K, Gu J, et al. Inhibitory Effects of Nardostachys Jatamansi DC. Volatile Oil on Psychological Factors SP/CORT-Induced Hyperpigmentation.. Chin J Integr Med. 2025. PMID 41342982. DOI 10.1007/s11655-025-4218-x. (abstract)
- Zhang H, Qin H, Zha J, et al. Chemical analysis, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Nardostachys jatamansi essential oil, and computational evaluation of mechanisms.. Front Nutr. 2026. PMID 41852677. DOI 10.3389/fnut.2026.1764021. (abstract)