Jatamansi Oil of Nepal
Blog by Jai Dev Singh
Here is a picture we received yesterday from our supplier of Jatamansi Oil (Spikenard) in Nepal. We thought everyone would enjoy seeing this beautiful image as much as we did!
Jatamansi is one of the most important herbs and oils used in Ayurvedic Medicine and has a special potency for treating mental and psychological challenges. It soothes and cools irritated nerves and calms an active and worried mind. It is highly revered for it’s ability to treat insomnia, anxiety, nerve pain, subconscious trauma and a host of other conditions. It is similar in quality to valerian but is less dulling in it’s effects.
Unfortunately, due to excessive overharvesting of this high altitude plant, Jatamansi has become endangered as a species. The proper time for harvesting Jatamansi roots is in the early winter, yet because of the often difficult or impossible harvesting conditions due to layers of snow covering, the crop is sometimes harvested in the summer which is detrimental to it’s future growth. Because of this unfortunate 
practice, good sources for Jatamansi are now difficult to find.
The Floracopeia Jatamansi Oil is distilled from sustainably harvested roots in Nepal and is one of our most popular essential oils. We consistently receive wonderful testimonials from customers who have experienced the wonderful effects of Jatamansi Oil. Here are a few of our Jatamansi testimonials reprinted from the Experiential Research by Students of Bastyr University.
“Jatamansi oil every night on the nose and forehead and white sage oil one drop on the tongue two to three times per day seems to have stopped all of my apparent allergies in their tracks.
Jatamansi oil has controlled the insomnia that I have experienced for the past eight years just by applying to my forehead and nose every night for the past month. The dreams that I have experienced have left me with a zest to get out of bed that I have not experienced in many, many years. Having been through many traumas in my life it is a relief to not have the pain in my subconscious to distract me, while it is not completely gone at this point, I feel that with a couple of more months of use I will be if not completely healed considerably closer to that noble goal. On a side note I made a cream for my husbands parents that have the start of Alzheimers and contained this oil and a few others, and the difference in their memory after using the cream is remarkable; they sleep better and form short term memories much easier and keep them longer.”
KP
“My experience with jatamansi has been one of deeper sleep and increased calm. I have rubbed a small amount of the oil on my temples at night before I go to bed, and it has helped me to put the days events and circling thoughts away while I fall asleep. I have not had any vivid dreams but definitely wake up feeling more refreshed. A friend tried it, and they liked it so much that they requested an entire bottle. They experienced vivid and insightful dreams, as well as, an overall deeper sleep when they used a few drops on their pillow every couple of nights before going to bed. I have also smelled it and/or rubbed a small amount behind my ears during the day. This has shown to calm my thoughts while not making me sleepy, but I wouldnt say it is a stimulating or motivating oil for the daytime.”
AD
“I have been using a drop or two of Jatamansi on my pillow and have definitely experienced some interesting dream activity. I have noticed that my dreaming with the use of Jatamansi is definitely remembered more vividly the next morning and they are dreams that allow me to make better decisions in waking life circumstances.”
JS
Leave your comments and/or questions below!
Tags: anxiety, Ayurveda, essential oil, Insomnia, Jatamansi, sustainable
I recently picked up my bottle of jatamansi and was wondering about the best ways to use it. The testimonials in this article are really helpful in giving some ideas. A couple of questions – does the oil need to be mixed with a carrier oil before putting on the skin? The article seems to imply, “no,” it can be applied directly, but I just want to make sure. Also, if using as a sleep-aid are there any time limits? Should you only use for a week, a month, etc., or is it unlimited/as needed type of use?
Great questions Donna.
The Jatamansi oil does not necessarily need to be mixed in a carrier oil, although some people may want to do that. As far as skin irritability levels, the essential oil of Jatamansi is in the low category and in most cases will not irritate the skin when applied directly in small to moderate amounts. As always, be mindful when working with any essential oil and test it carefully until you know how well your body responds.
As far as the period of time, there are several different approaches one could take depending on the specific circumstance of the individual. You may choose to use it for a period of time, such as 1-3 months, and then as need after that. But mostly, it depends on you and is generally fine to use in moderate amounts for long periods of time if desired.
I hope that helps. Let us know if you have more questions
I’ve so missed having jatamansi in my herbal pharmacy – it has such a grounding, calming presence. Using the essential oil before bedtime either on the skin or on the pillow works very well for many of my clients and has been especially for those who are shy of ingesting herbs. A few drops in a little warmed sesame oil rubbed into the soles of the feet also produces delicious sleep. I’ve used it diluted, along the spine, during panchakarma therapy. Thank you for the beautiful photograph and the smile it invokes. Lovely!
Is Jatamansi okay to use in the Aroma Globe diffuser? It seems slightly thick.
The benefits of Jatamansi are so amazing. I am starting a new job today
(after a very long job search) and I feel nervous and anxious about it. I
will be using a few drops of Jatamansi to help me feel calm and centered.
Thank you for all you do to promote a sustainable crop! The picture is worth
a thousands words. Namaste.
Hi Julie,
Jatamansi has too thick of viscosity for the Aroma Globe diffuser and will clog it. However, we have a new nebulizing diffuser we’ll be releasing in the late Spring that is more compatible with the thicker oils such as Jatamansi…stay tuned.
Good luck with your new job and thanks for sharing your comments.
Loved the information here I’ll have this bookmarked and will be back to read more.
Hi
Can I mix the following oils and use daily for hair? Pl. let me know.
1. Jatamsansi oil – few drops
2. Jojoba Oil – 25 ml
3. Almond Oil – 25 ml
4. Rosemary Oil – few drops
I want to use this mix for hair growth and vitalizer.
Pl. let me know.
Regards
Aravind
Aravind, that seems like a nice mix.
Let us know how it goes.
Hello Jai Dev Singh
I am helping an NGO in the very NW of Nepal to establish a village cooperative to collect and possibly process medicinal herbs to create more sustainable income and preserve the plants. Jatamansi seems to be one of the best candidates for that and I am interested if you could give me any info on how your supplier in NEpal is set up. Are you sponsoring a cooperative there? As I understand it is illegal to export the raw plant. Where is yours processed? Would your company have a need for another supplier? Any information would be very welcome,
best wishes, Gabrielle