A historical and ethnobotanical study of Nardostachys jatamansi : An ancient incense & aromatic medicinal herb from Uttaranchal, India

摘要

Nardostachys jatamansi, 'Jatamansi' or 'Indian nard', is well-known in India since ancient times for its useful medicinal properties. It is also used in countries like Assyria (Mesopatamia) as its name is located in wedge-shaped cuneform script in Egypt, Greece, Rome, etc. from times immemorial. History begins from the period of Atharveda and its export from India in 2500 BC; its association with Alexander, the Great; inclusion among Bible plants; and use as a royal perfume during the time of Akbar,the Great. These are some of the testimonies which make 'spikenard' one of the most important herbs of the present era. Jatamansi was also reputed for various uses, such as a costly incense, perfume as unguent, in medicine as nervine tonic used in hysteria, epileptic fits, palpitation of heart, etc. It was found to be hypotensive like Rauvolfia serpentina, but due to availability of insufficient raw material, this taxon could not find a proper place in modern medicine. The present article deals with various aspects of botany with nomenclatural history, eco-profile, phenology in Uttaranchal and distribution in India and other parts of the world. Local, trade, Sanskrit and common English names and their etymology and philology are discussed.