Spikenard Organic Nardostachys jatamansi · Nepal · Roots · Steam distilled

Among the rarest oils in aromatherapy. Spikenard has been traded across continents, consecrated in ancient ritual, and carried through mountain passes for thousands of years. Ours is wild-grown in the high-altitude regions of Nepal, harvested by hand in accordance with CITES sustainability standards, and certified organic by EcoControl.

The oil is distilled from the roots — dense, resinous, built over years in harsh Himalayan terrain. It takes 100 kilograms of plant material to yield a single litre of oil. That ratio is present in every drop.

The scent

Deep. Earthy. Rooted. Spikenard opens with a heaviness that feels ancient — resinous and balsamic, with a warm woody sweetness underneath and a barely-perceptible animalic edge that gives it presence rather than prettiness. It is not a bright oil. It is a grounding one.

In natural perfumery it functions as an anchor — a base note of unusual tenacity and character that gives depth to blends that might otherwise feel thin or transient. It shares botanical kinship with Valerian, and in the dry-down something of that relationship becomes apparent: a quiet, slightly bitter warmth that lingers long after the top notes have gone.

Earthy · Balsamic · Woody · Resinous · Warm

The chemistry

The GC profile of this batch (Lot 1019875) is dominated by sesquiterpene ketones and hydrocarbons — a complex, heavily layered profile that remains only partially characterised even under laboratory analysis.

Valeranone is the defining constituent at 25.45%. This sesquiterpene ketone, shared with the Valerian family, is the primary driver of Spikenard's characteristic heaviness and its profound base note tenacity. Valerenal (2.29%) adds a dry, slightly animalic sharpness at the edges.

The body of the oil is built from a rich sesquiterpene hydrocarbon complex: beta-Gurjunene (4.08%), the selinene family collectively accounting for over 8%, Valencene (2.29%), Guaia-6,9-diene (1.84%), Seychellene (1.43%), and Aristolene (0.53%) among others. A significant portion of the profile — including one peak at 18.34% — remains unidentified, a marker of genuine botanical complexity in an oil that science has not yet fully mapped.

This is not a simple oil. Its chemistry reflects the depth of its character.

Use

Spikenard is a considered choice. It is not for everyday diffusion or casual blending — its weight and intensity mean a little goes a long way.

In diffusion, it creates a space of unusual stillness. Paired with Frankincense or Sandalwood it deepens meditative or contemplative practice. In natural perfumery it anchors oriental and woody compositions, extending their dry-down considerably. In skincare it has a long history of use on mature and sensitive skin, and is a classic choice for scalp care formulations.

Blends with: Frankincense · Sandalwood · Vetiver · Patchouli · Cedarwood · Myrrh · Rose · Lavender

Provenance

Nardostachys jatamansi grows wild at altitude — 3,000 to 5,000 metres in the Himalayan regions of Nepal. The plant is slow to mature and the species is considered vulnerable, which is precisely why the CITES compliance designation matters. This is not a regulatory footnote. It is the reason this oil can be offered at all — and the reason it should be chosen over cheaper, uncertified alternatives whose sourcing cannot be verified.

Oshadhi's Spikenard is harvested by hand by trusted partner communities in Nepal, with careful attention to root harvesting practices that protect the surrounding plant population and ecosystem.

Technical

Hazard information: H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction. H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Dilute before skin application. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep from children. Store cool, dark, tightly sealed.

GC analysis and MSDS available to download.