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<ref name="prabhu1994">{{cite journal |last1=Prabhu |first1=V. |last2=Karanth |first2=K. S. |last3=Rao |first3=A. |year=1994 |title=Effects of | <ref name="prabhu1994">{{cite journal |last1=Prabhu |first1=V. |last2=Karanth |first2=K. S. |last3=Rao |first3=A. |year=1994 |title=Effects of Nardostachys jatamansi on biogenic amines and inhibitory amino acids in the rat brain.|journal=Planta Medica |volume=60 |issue=2 |pages=114–117| doi=10.1055/s-2006-959429}}</ref> | ||
<ref name="dhingra2008">{{cite journal |last1=Dhingra |first1=D. |last2=Goyal |first2=P. K. |year=2008 |title=Inhibition of MAO and GABA: probable mechanisms for antidepressant-like activity of ''Nardostachys jatamansi'' DC. in mice |journal=Indian Journal of Experimental Biology |volume=46 |issue=4 |pages=212–218 |pmid=18512329}}</ref> | <ref name="dhingra2008">{{cite journal |last1=Dhingra |first1=D. |last2=Goyal |first2=P. K. |year=2008 |title=Inhibition of MAO and GABA: probable mechanisms for antidepressant-like activity of ''Nardostachys jatamansi'' DC. in mice |journal=Indian Journal of Experimental Biology |volume=46 |issue=4 |pages=212–218 |pmid=18512329}}</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 10:20, 11 October 2026
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Jatamansi |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Nardostachys jatamansi Dc. |
| Family | Caprifoliaceae |
| Sub Family | Valerianaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Nardostachys jatamansi Dc., popularly known as Jatamansi (Spikenard), is an endangered perennial dwarf, spikenard herb belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae (Valerianaceae). It is highly revered in Ayurveda as a prominent Medhya (intellect-promoting) and nerve-calming herb, traditionally utilized for managing mental disorders, sleep disturbances, skin ailments, and neurological imbalance.
English name
Spikenard
Therapeutic use
Daha (burning sensation), Kushtha (obstinate skin diseases), Visarpa (acute spreading erysipelas), Manasa roga (mental disorders), Anidra (insomnia)[1]
Other Varieties / Other Botanical names
- Fedia grandiflora Wall., nom. nud.
- Fedia jatamansi Wall. ex DC.
- Nardostachys chinensis Batalin
- Nardostachys gracilis Kitam.
- Nardostachys grandiflora DC.
- Nardostachys jatamansi C.B.Clarke
- Patrinia jatamansi D.Don
- Valeriana jatamansi D.Don
- Valeriana jatamansi (D.Don) Wall.
Identification Characters
- Jatila – Jatamansi has matted hairs.
- Bhutajata – Jatamansi has fibers in the rhizomes that appear like matted hairs.
- Krishnajata – Rhizome of Jatamansi is black in colour.
- Mishi – Rhizome of Jatamansi is black in colour.
- Sulomasha – Fibers on rhizome are neatly arranged like a matted hair.
- Nalada – Rhizome of Jatamansi has agreeable odour.
Types
Raja Nighantu
Mentioned 3 types[2]
- Jatamansi
- Gandhamansi
- Akasamansi
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional Ayurvedic texts, Jatamansi is classified under Tridoshahara (pacifying all three doshas) and acts as a premier brain tonic (medhya). Possessing bitter (tikta), astringent (kashaya), and sweet (madhura) tastes, cold potency (sheeta veerya), and a pungent post-digestion effect (katu vipaka), it is widely prescribed for consciousness promotion (sandnyasthapana) and mental tranquility.[3]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Mansi, Mamsi, Nalad, Bhutajata, Jatila, Tapasvini
Additional Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
Jatamansi[3]
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Bitter (tikta), Astringent (kashaya), Sweet (madhura)[3] |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Cold (sheeta)[3] |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Pungent (katu)[3] |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Light (laghu), Unctuous (snigdha)[3] |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify all three doshas (tridoshahara), Brain tonic (medhya)[3] |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(48) | Sandnyasthapana mahakashaya (regaining consciousness group of herbs) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 5/21 | Dhuma varti dravya (used in medicated wick for smoking) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 1/23 | Vamanartha (for therapeutic emesis) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/87 | Bahyaprayogartha lepa in Kushtha (obstinate skin diseases) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/34 | Ingredient in Palankashadi taila |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/65 | For lepa, abhyangadi bahyaprayogartha (external applications in massage) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/78 | Used for shodhanottara (after purification) dhumpana (medicated smoking) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/69 | As an ingredient of Manahsiladi dhuma |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 20/33 | Trishna (morbid thirst) & Chhardi (vomiting) shamaka yoga |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/54 | As an ingredient of Mrita sanjivani agada |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/102 | As an ingredient of Ksharagada |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/190 | As an ingredient of Mamsyadi yoga |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/65 | As an ingredient of Trutyadi churna |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/182 | Used in Kaphaja sira shoola for dhoomavarti |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/209 | As an ingredient of Khadiradi gutika |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/234 | Used in Pittaja netraroga |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/153 | As an ingredient of Bala taila |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/158 | As an ingredient of Amrutadi taila |
Dose
Important formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Jatamamsi arka
Current availability
Available
- In India – High alpine and sub-alpine Himalayan ranges of India (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand).
- Out of India – Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal.
Phytoconstituents
The roots of Nardostachys jatamansi are reported to contain sesquiterpenes (jatamansic acid and jatamansone), lignans and neolignans, and the rhizomes contain the terpenoid ester nardostachysin I. Phytochemical analysis of an aqueous root extract showed sterols, carbohydrates, terpenes, phenols, gums and mucilage, and chromatographic comparison with a jatamansone standard confirmed the presence of terpenoids.[4]
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Neurochemical Action (Medhya)
Jatamansi is classified in Ayurveda as a Medhya (brain tonic) drug, and its effect on brain neurochemistry has been studied in rats.
- Scientific Evidence: An alcoholic root extract given orally raised brain serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and increased GABA and taurine levels in male Wistar rats. After 15 days of treatment the levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and GABA were all increased. The authors concluded that the extract causes an overall increase in central monoamines and inhibitory amino acids.[5]
Antidepressant-like Action
- Scientific Evidence: An ethanolic root extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg orally for 14 days) produced a significant antidepressant-like effect in mice in the tail suspension and forced swim tests. The effect was comparable to imipramine and sertraline, and the extract did not change locomotor activity.[6]
- Mechanism: The extract decreased whole-brain MAO-A and MAO-B activity, and its effect was reversed by the GABA-B agonist baclofen. The authors suggested that MAO inhibition and interaction with GABA-B receptors are involved.[6]
Anticonvulsant Action
Jatamansi is associated in Ayurveda with Sandnyasthapana (restoration of consciousness) and has been tested in seizure models.
- Scientific Evidence: An ethanol extract of the roots significantly raised the seizure threshold in the maximal electroshock model in rats, with minimal neurotoxicity at those doses, but it was ineffective against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. In combination with phenytoin, 50 mg/kg of the extract raised the protective index of phenytoin from 3.63 to 13.18.[7]
Neuroprotective Action
- Scientific Evidence: Rats pre-treated for three weeks with an ethanolic root extract (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg) before an intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine lesion showed a dose-dependent restoration of the increased drug-induced rotations and the locomotor deficits. The authors concluded that Jatamansi may help in attenuating parkinsonism.[8]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Acute and repeated-dose toxicity (animal study): An aqueous root extract showed an oral LD50 above 5000 mg/kg in rats. Given at 1000 mg/kg daily for 28 days, it caused no significant change in haematological parameters and no change in the architecture of the liver, kidney or brain.[4]
- Precautions: Use under the guidance of a qualified Ayurveda physician, particularly during pregnancy and lactation, in chronic conditions, or when taking conventional medicines.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
Research Gaps
The pharmacological evidence for Jatamansi summarised above comes from studies in rodents. Clinical efficacy and safety in humans remain to be established through well-designed clinical trials.
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Preparation studied | Model | Principal finding | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brain tonic / Medhya | Alcoholic root extract | Wistar rats | Increased brain monoamines and inhibitory amino acids (GABA, taurine) | [5] |
| Mental disorders / Manasa roga | Ethanolic root extract (100–400 mg/kg) | Mice (tail suspension and forced swim tests) | Antidepressant-like effect; reduced MAO-A and MAO-B activity | [6] |
| Convulsions / Sandnyasthapana | Ethanol root extract | Rats (MES and PTZ models) | Raised seizure threshold in MES model; no effect against PTZ | [7] |
| Neurodegeneration | Ethanolic root extract (200–600 mg/kg) | 6-OHDA parkinsonism in rats | Dose-dependent restoration of behavioural deficits | [8] |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I: 33.
- ↑ Dr. Indradev Tripathi, Raj Nighantu of Pandit Narahari, Chandanadi Varga, Verse no. 95, 97, 99, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Karpuradi Varga, verse no. 75, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Rasheed, A. S.; Venkataraman, S.; Jayaveera, K. N.; Mohammed Fazil, A.; Yasodha, K. J.; Aleem, M. A.; Mohammed, M.; Khaja, Z.; Ushasri, B.; Pradeep, H. A.; Ibrahim, M. (2010). "Evaluation of toxicological and antioxidant potential of Nardostachys jatamansi in reversing haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rats". International Journal of General Medicine. 3: 127–136. doi:10.2147/ijgm.s9156.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Prabhu, V.; Karanth, K. S.; Rao, A. (1994). "Effects of Nardostachys jatamansi on biogenic amines and inhibitory amino acids in the rat brain.". Planta Medica. 60 (2): 114–117. doi:10.1055/s-2006-959429.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Dhingra, D.; Goyal, P. K. (2008). "Inhibition of MAO and GABA: probable mechanisms for antidepressant-like activity of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. in mice". Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. 46 (4): 212–218. PMID 18512329.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Rao, V. S.; Rao, A.; Karanth, K. S. (2005). "Anticonvulsant and neurotoxicity profile of Nardostachys jatamansi in rats". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 102 (3): 351–356. PMID 16095854. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.06.031.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Ahmad, M.; Yousuf, S.; Khan, M. B.; Hoda, M. N.; Ahmad, A. S.; Ansari, M. A.; Ishrat, T.; Agrawal, A. K.; Islam, F. (2006). "Attenuation by Nardostachys jatamansi of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced parkinsonism in rats: behavioral, neurochemical, and immunohistochemical studies". Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 83 (1): 150–160. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2006.01.005.