Indian Nard

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian Nard
• Indian Spikenard
• Muskroot
• Nardin
• Nardus Root
• Spikenard
• nard

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Patrinia jatamansi
• Nardostachys grandiflora
• Nardostachys gracilis
• Nardostachys chinensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Dipsacales and the family Caprifoliaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Nardostachys.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to several specific regions across Asia. Within China, its distribution spans the South-Central and North-Central areas. It is also found in the high-altitude terrains of Qinghai and Tibet. Beyond China, the species extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in Assam. Together, these locations define the natural range of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Nardostachys jatamansi is defined by its specialization in high-altitude alpine and subalpine environments, where it thrives within specific montane ecosystems. This species is strictly adapted to extreme conditions, occupying a specialized niche characterized by an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 3000 m AMSL to a maximum of 5300 m AMSL. Within these high-elevation belts, the plant is typically found in rocky crevices, alpine meadows, and scree slopes, where it must withstand intense ultraviolet radiation, low atmospheric pressure, and significant temperature fluctuations. Its distribution is closely tied to these high-altitude habitats, which provide the necessary substrate and moisture regimes required for its survival in fragile mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

5300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Nardostachys jatamansi is characterized by its status as a perennial herb, allowing it to persist in its high-altitude Himalayan habitats over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived perennial, the plant establishes a robust rootstock, often referred to as spikenard, which serves as a primary storage organ for nutrients and allows it to survive the harsh, cold climates of its native mountain environment. Throughout its lifecycle, the plant undergoes seasonal cycles of dormancy during the extreme winters and active growth during the warmer months, during which it develops its characteristic aromatic rhizomes and leafy stems. This perennial nature ensures that the plant can withstand environmental fluctuations, maintaining its presence in the ecosystem through successive years of development and reproduction.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Nardostachys jatamansi is characterized by its growth form as a perennial herb and a forb, typically manifesting in a non-woody structure. It functions as a terrestrial plant, establishing its presence in soil rather than as an epiphyte. While some species in similar ecological niches may exhibit climbing tendencies, this plant is specifically categorized as a self-supporting climber, meaning it possesses the structural integrity to grow upright without the obligatory need for external support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Nardostachys jatamansi primarily occurs through the production of seeds following pollination, although the species also exhibits significant vegetative propagation through its perennial rhizomatous root system. The flowering process typically involves the development of small, inconspicuous flowers that facilitate sexual reproduction. The resulting seeds are characterized by a specific weight profile, with a recorded seed mass mean of 0.2605 g. These seeds are dispersed within their high-altitude Himalayan habitats, where environmental conditions dictate the success of germination. The combination of seed dispersal and the expansion of underground rhizomes allows the plant to colonize stable areas and recover from disturbances in its natural ecosystem.

Seed mass mean:

0.2605 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Nardostachys jatamansi has 5 reported plant parts identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, rhizome, leaf, flower, stem.

Root

1. Genes
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Yakushigaku zasshi
5. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Rhizome

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Journal of natural medicines
4. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5. Frontiers in plant science

Leaf

1. Genes
2. Scientific reports
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
4. Frontiers in plant science

Flower

1. Genes
2. Frontiers in plant science

Stem

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Nardostachys jatamansi has 118 reported phytochemicals identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Nardosinone, CALARENE, Jatamansinol, Jatamansone, Spirojatamol.

Nardosinone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Genes
3. European journal of pharmacology
4. Neuroscience letters
5. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

CALARENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Yakushigaku zasshi
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
4. Journal of natural medicines
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Jatamansinol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Current cancer drug targets

Jatamansone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Ultrasonics sonochemistry
3. Frontiers in plant science

Spirojatamol

1. Journal of natural medicines
2. Ultrasonics sonochemistry
3. Frontiers in plant science

9-Aristolene

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural medicines

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Debilon

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Journal of natural products

Desoxo-Narchinol A

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Globulol

1. Ultrasonics sonochemistry
2. Frontiers in plant science

Activities

Nardostachys jatamansi has 246 reported activities identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Sedative, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antidepressant, Antidiabetic.

Sedative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Yakushigaku zasshi
3. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
4. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidepressant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current drug metabolism

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Hypotensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Arzneimittel-Forschung

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Nardostachys jatamansi has 29 reported medicinal uses identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, cancer, epilepsy, cognitive disorders, depression.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations