Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), commonly known as Indian spikenard, belongs to family Valerianaceae. Nardostachys jatamansi has been reported to contain sesquiterpenoids, jatamamsone, and other glycosides. As Nardostachy jatamansi has been used traditionally to treat various ailments, this plant holds great potential for in-depth phytochemical and pharmacological evaluations.
The root and the rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi, as mentioned in Ayurveda, have been used in various herbal formulations, including dietary supplements. This vital medicine is also helped to treat epilepsy, syncope, hysteria, convulsions, and mental weakness. The decoction of the drug is also used in neurological disorders, insomnia, and disorders of the cardiovascular system. It has been reported to manifest antidepressant, anticonvulsant and antiarrhythmic acts as well as to possess antioxidant and lipid peroxidation activities.
The sesquiterpenes (jatamansic acid, jatamansone), lignans, and neolignans are reported to be present in the roots of this plant. Selinum vaginatum roots are also used as a nervine sedative and considered useful in hysteria. Its oil possesses sedative, analgesic, and hypotensive properties. The root of Selinum vaginatum have yielded several coumarins, namely selinidin, selinone, angelisin, anomalin, isopteryxin, orosenol, lomantin, and vaginidin. The root of jatamansi (commonly known as “Jatamansi”) and Selinum vaginatum (Bhootkeshi) are often confused with each other.
Surprising Health Benefits of Jatamansi:
The herb has some of the surprising health benefits of Jatamansi are listed below:
Good for hair Growth:
The initial and most essential benefit of Jatamansi is that it improves hair growth and stopping hair fall. The oil benefits to make hair grow longer, thicker, and healthier. It also avoids the hair from greying rapidly due to its blood purifying properties. The oil is a great remedy to treat dandruff and scalp dryness.
Treat Insomnia
Insomnia may be due to poor digestion, lack of exercise, anxiety, and stress. Jatamansi aids in easing the stress in the body, calm down the emotions and support the person to sleep soundly.
Reduces Stress and used as an anti-depressant:
Jatamansi is an essential stress buster and mood improver herb due to its apoptogenic implements on the body. It is extremely useful in treating headaches associated with stress. The antioxidant property of Jatamansi benefits in reducing oxidative stress and brings overall stress level down. It is an essential sedative to boost overall relaxation.
Super beneficial for skin:
Jatamansi is an excellent natural skin tonic to promote texture and make skin glowing. It heals cuts and injures. Also, help in itchy and dry skin. It fights bacterial infections and herpes and aids in taking care of rashes or burning sensation on the skin. It is a great blood purifier as it balances the Pitta dosha in the body.
Improves memory and concentration:
Jatamansi is an essential brain nervine tonic and a memory enhancer. It is a brain booster herb if taken on a routine basis.
Reduces inflammation:
Inflammation is precisely linked to numerous diseases like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis. The anti-inflammatory property of Jatamansi makes it useful in relieving inflammation in all parts of the body.
Promotes heart health:
The Jatamansi has anti-convulsive and anti-arrhythmic activities, which is very significant in reducing heart palpitations and hysteria symptoms. Just two drops of Jatamansi oil for a warm foot bath aids in easing the condition.
Other benefits include
Jatamansi treats convulsion, Epilepsy, hysteria, and seizures, it also serves chronic fatigue.
It is advantageous in stimulating, cleansing, and healing inflammation of the uterus.
Jatamansi is known for its anti-cancer effects. It is extremely helpful in breast cancer treatment as it stimulates cell death and stops the cell cycle of breast cancer cells.
In brief, this herb is a great remedy to treat insomnia, sleep disorder, chronic fatigue, chronic stress, depression, anxiety, and nervous disorder like epilepsy. It is also used as an aphrodisiac to treat impotence. The key is to keep a natural way to limit diseases, and this can be managed by taking on Ayurveda practices and medicines.