Talk:Spikenard

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For further reading on SpikeNard

additional information on spikenard:

2 general info references on:
.. 1. uses
.. 2. naming, distribution, commercial limits

then 3 clinical studies showing medicinal effect for:
.. 1. Memory
.. 2. HepatoProtective Effect
.. 3. Cholesterol profile

Uses (1) Reference:
Summary (ParaPhrased-Excerpt):
Spikenard is a perennial medicinal plant in Nepal traditionally used as a stimulant for the cardiac, respiratory, and nervous systems and as a carminative, stomachic, laxative, antispasmodic, diuretic, and emmenagogue. The plant also has cosmetic uses in hair washes and hair oils.
Reference: A Note on Nardostachys jatamansi Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, Volume 2, Issue 2 June 1994 , pages 39 - 47
Reference Link: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a904380791&db=all

Naming, Distribution & Commerical Limits (1) Reference:

Summary: (RePhrased)

Species Naming: Upon examining a specimen from Bhutan labeled 'Jatamansi', but containing sample from 2 species, the roots of Nardostachys jatamansi and the aerial part of Valeriana wallichii, Sir William Jones in 1790 discovered that 'Nardus' of the Greeks, the 'Spikenard' of the Holy Bible, 'Sumbul-e-Hind' of Persians and Arabians, and 'Balchar' of India all are 'Jatamansi' of Sanskrit. Five years later, in 1795, Roxburgh published an illustration labled 'Valeriana jatamansi' based on the 'specimen', that was not yet recognized as being from 2 seperate species. In 1821 D. Don acquired a single-species specimen of the actual 'Jatamansi' and re-described it 'Valeriana jatamansi' and later as 'Patrinia jatamansi'. In 1830 De Candolle described it under the new genus 'Nardostachys' and classifed 'Nardostachys jatamansi' and N. grandiflora.

Distribution: Nardostachys jatamansi is native to the Central, Eastern, Sino-Indian and Kumaon Himalayas (Northern India and Nepal near Mount Everest). The plant is found clinging to steep rocky cliffs, on grassy slopes and by river banks at altitudes 3000-4000m (above sea-level). Nardostachys jatamansi propagates by direct extension, using underground rhizomes and aerial-distribution of winged fruits for distant distribution. The fruit in the Himalayan region matures from October to November by traveling on high mountain winds from the west to the north.

Commercial Limits: The use of this plant as a medicine and it's limited habitat have lead to over-harvesting, endangering the species existance and legal limits imposed in Bhutan, Neapl & India on poaching the plant in the wild and its export. In Indian street markets the medicinal-plant is often sold adulterated with the simmilar appearing but much cheaper Selinum vaginatum and S. candollei. The adulterants can be differentiated from true jatamansi, by noting that Nardostachys jatamansi rhizomes have a sweet smelling red-brown fibrous covering, where Selinum vaginatum and S. candollei have an unpleasant pungent dirty brown fibrous cap. Many Himalayan herbs are commercially exploited, including Aconitum ferox, Picrorhiza kurrooa and Swertia chirata.

Reference: On the history, botany, distribution, uses and conservation aspects of Nardostachys jatamansi in India Medicinal Plant Conservation Dec 2007 vol 13 num 1
Reference Link: Full PDF (see p8-12): http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/mpc13.pdf#page=8

Medicinal Effect: (3) References
In animal models spikenard has shown beneficial effects on cholesterol, memory and has a hepatoprotective effect.
3 clinical references for statement below:

Memory reference:

Summary:(RePhrased) In an animal model spikenard extract given for 8 days (at 200 mg/kg doses) improved memory, learning and reversed amnesia.
Ayurvedic medicine practitioners, use the roots of Nardostachys jatamansi for anti-ischemic, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, and neuroprotective activities.

Reference: Nardostachys jatamansi Improves Learning and Memory in Mice Hanumanthachar Joshi, Milind Parle Journal of Medicinal Food. Spring 2006: 113-118

Reference link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16579738

HepatoProtective Reference:

Summary:(RePhrased) In animal model spikenard extract showed hepatoprotective effect

Reference: Nardostachys jatamansi protects against liver damage induced by thioacetamide in rats Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 71, Issue 3, August 2000, Pages 359-363

Reference Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10940571

Cholesterol Profile reference:

Summary:(RePhrased) In animal model spikenard used with Tumeric (Curcuma longa) improved HDL and cholesterol profile

Reference: Hypolipidaemic effects of Curcuma longa L and Nardostachys jatamansi, DC in triton-induced hyperlipidaemic rats Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1988 Oct-Dec;32(4):299-304

Reference Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3215683

Orchus2 (talk) 21:47, 11 June 2010 (UTC)

Quote from Insight on the scriptures

SPIKENARD

[Heb., nerd; Gr., nar′dos].

A small aromatic plant (Nardostachys jatamansi) found in the Himalaya Mountains. The stems and roots of this plant are generally considered the source of the nard or spikenard mentioned in Scripture. (Ca 1:12; 4:13, 14; Mr 14:3) The spikenard plant is distinguished by its clusters of blackish, hairy stems, about 5 cm (2 in.) long, that branch out from the top of the root. The leaves sprout from the upper portion of the plant, which is terminated by heads of pink flowers.

To preserve its fragrance, nard, a light, fragrant, reddish-colored liquid, was sealed in cases of alabaster, a soft, usually whitish, marblelike stone named after Alabastron, Egypt, where vessels of this material were manufactured. The pound of perfumed oil, “genuine nard,” poured by Mary from an alabaster case upon the head and feet of Jesus Christ, ‘in view of his burial,’ was evaluated at 300 denarii, the equivalent of about a year’s wages. (Mr 14:3-9; Joh 12:3-8; Mt 20:2) The fact that this perfumed oil was so expensive suggests that its source may have been distant India. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.57.59.196 (talk) 05:11, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Merge interwiki links

The interwiki links from wikidata:Valeriana jatamansi should be merged in. Nardostachys jatamansi and Nardostachys grandiflora are mentioned as synonyms for V. jatamansi in wikidata, but somehow there are still two disjoint sets of interwiki links. --88.73.32.75 (talk) 13:15, 9 February 2014 (UTC)

I've had my eye on splitting the Valeriana/Nardostachys species into a separate article. The present article mentions Lavandula stoechas as another source of nard, and it doesn't seem it all certain that the biblical/classical spikenard was always derived from Nardostachys. It's quite likely that more than one plant was the source of the spikenard of antiquity. Plantdrew (talk) 17:28, 9 February 2014 (UTC)