Ефірна олія нарду

Nardostachys jatamansi is a perennial of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) and the sole species in its genus. It grows in the Himalayas, primarily in a belt through Kumaon, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan at elevations of 3,000-5,000 m. It also grows in northern Myanmar and western and central China. The plant has pink, bell-shaped flowers. The word spike in the English name refers to the inflorescence, or flowering stem, of the plant. In Sanskrit, jata-mansi translates to 'dreadlock root for the mind', a name given for the hairy appearance of the rhizome.

The oil is intensely aromatic, amber-colored and thick in consistency. Sesquiterpenes make up the major portion of its volatile compounds, with jatamansone, also known as (-)-valeranone, dominant. Many coumarins are also present in the oil. The alkaloid actinidine has been isolated from the oil, together with valerenal and valerenic acid.

The composition of the oil differs between collection regions. In oils from three districts of Nepal, 66 compounds were identified altogether, and sesquiterpenes were the major compounds in all three samples. Compounds common to all three samples included calarene, seychellene, α-patchoulene, valencene, 7-epi-α-selinene and patchouli alcohol. Valeranone (37.42%), cadin-4-en-10-ol (28.07%) and patchouli alcohol (6.09%) were the major components in the Taplejung sample. In the Gorkha sample the major components were valeranone (40.24%), cadin-4-en-10-ol (29.99%) and patchouli alcohol (6.71%). In the Jumla sample they were dihydrotagetone (21.30%), valencene (16.58%), β-pinene (12.56%) and guaia-6,9-diene (10.93%). In a sample from the Haridwar region of Uttarakhand, calarene (20.4%) was the main constituent, followed by γ-himachalene (17.1%) and vardiflorene (12.3%).

Nardostachys jatamansi is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. It has been in CITES Appendix II since June 1997. The plant is considered endangered because of overharvesting for folk medicine, overgrazing, loss of habitat and forest degradation. Between 100 and 500 tonnes of jatamansi rhizomes are traded annually for medicinal and cosmetic use. The harvest in nine districts provides at least 15,000 people with an average of 25% of their annual income. Nepal's government has adopted harvest and trade controls, including a ban on exports of unprocessed rhizomes. In 2017 an Act meant to strengthen CITES implementation unintentionally banned exports of all Appendix II listed species, including jatamansi. Exports restarted in August 2020, when the first permits were issued for trade in jatamansi oil and marc, the residue left after the extraction of essential oil. More than 2,000 harvesters have been trained on sustainable harvesting and the requirements of the FairWild Standard.

Nard oil is used as a sedative and in Ayurvedic practices. The herb is used in Ayurvedic, Tibetan and Chinese medicine. Traditional and historical uses of the oil include insect repellent, haircare, the preparation of precious scents and use as a relaxant.

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