Practical
Plants

Nardostachys grandiflora

Spikenard

a perennial member of the Nardostachys genus in the family Valerianaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.25 m
Spread
0.25 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Used as a condiment[3]. No more details are given.

Product or use
Condiment

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is antispasmodic, carminative, deobstruent, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative, nervine, sedative, stimulant and stomachic[11][13][4][6]. It is an excellent substitute for valerian, Valeriana officinalis, and is taken internally in the treatment of epilepsy, hysteria and convulsive affections, nervous indigestion, insomnia, depression and tension headaches[12][7][8]. Externally, it is used as a deodorant and to treat rashes[7]. A paste of the root is used externally to treat haemorrhoids[10]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[7]. Use this remedy with caution, overdoses are toxic[6].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Deobstruent
Product or use
Deodorant
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil is obtained from the root and young stems. It is harvested before the leaves unfurl[2]. It is used in perfumery[7] and as a hair tonic where it is said to make the hair grow faster and also to turn it black[11][12][13]. The dried leaves are used as an incense[10].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Incense

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Uttar Pradesh to S.W. China.
Habitat
Rocks, ledges and open slopes, 3600 - 4800 metres[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[7]. The seed requires light for germination[7]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture-retentive soil in full sun or light shade, especially from the midday sun[5][7]. Dislikes growing in rich soils[7]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[7]. The hairy portion of the stem, just above the roots, has a strong aroma somewhat like patchouli[9]. The fresh root is fragrant, but the scent becomes more pronounced as the root dries[9]. This plant is the spikenard of the Ancients, it was once very popular as a perfume[1].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. ? Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th edition.

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  6. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  7. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  8. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  10. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page