Jatamamsi
Botanical Name(s): Nardostachys Jatamansi, Nardostachys Grandiflora
Family Name: Valerianaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Valerianaceae
Genus: Nardostachys
Species: N. grandiflora
Popular Name(s): Muskroot, Indian Spikenard, Jatamanshi, Jatamashi, Balchar, Nard, Nardin.
Parts Used: Rhizome, Rhizome Oil
Habitat: Found in India, Nepal and Bhutan
Description
Jatamamsi is a perennial herb that is propagated by cuttings of the underground parts. The plant grows to a height ranging from 10 to 60 cm and has stout and long woody root stocks. The long, sessile and oblong-ovate leaves are 15 to 20 cm in length. While the flowers are rosy, slightly pink or blue in dense cymes and one, two or five in number, the rhizomes are thick, fragrant and covered with brown fibers. The plant bears 1/3-inch long fruits that are oval in shape and have a sharp apex. Jatamamsi grows in the Alpine Himalayas, at an altitude of 3000-5000 meters and is cultivated in areas ranging from Punjab to Sikkim and Bhutan. The herb is known as jatamamsi in Hindi, Sanskrit and Gujarati.
Plant Chemicals
(+)- volatile essential oil, resin, sugar, starch, bitter extractive matter, gum, ketone, jatamansone, jatamansic acid, jatamansone semicarbazone, lupeol, malliene, calarene, terpenic coumarin - jatamansin, oroselol, dietheniod bicyclic ketone – nardostachone, sesquiterpene ketone - jatamansone.
Uses & Benefits of Jatamamsi
- Jatamamsi can be used internally as well as externally.
- It is a well-known brain tonic and imparts a sense of calm and peace to mind.
- The herb is mixed with cold water to form a paste and reduce burning sensation, inflammation, pain and improving skin texture.
- Since it is fragrant, jatamamsi powder is used as a deodorant in case of excessive sweating.
- The powder also helps in treating mental retardation and mental disorders, regularizing digestion in the body, regularizing respiratory tract and suppressing general body weakness.
- The decoction of the herb is poured on the affected areas in ailments associated with burning and in erysipelas.
- The medicated jatamamsi oil is extremely beneficial for smooth, silky and healthy hair.
- Jatamamsi is useful for urine-related problems and maintaining the circulatory system.
- The herb increases appetite, relieves the phlegm in cough and asthma, proves useful in hepatitis and treats enlargement of the liver.
- It is used as an adjunct in the treatment of sexual debility and impotence.
- Jatamamsi relieves symptoms like vertigo, seizures etc. in fever.
- Since it exerts a cleansing effect on the uterus, it is used in menstrual ailments like dysmenorrheal and inflammation of the uterus.
- The herb stops fermentation and gas in the stomach.
- Jatamamsi is considered as one of the best herbs for treating epilepsy.
- It reduces hyperactivity, restlessness and aggressiveness in hyperactive children.
Caution
- Jatamansi, when consumed in large doses, causes vomiting and diarrhea with abdominal pain, nausea, colic and urinary problems.
- Consult a healthcare professional before using jatamansi during pregnancy and lactation.
