JATAMANSI

JATAMANSI
Common name Indian spikenard
Sanskrit Jatamansi, Bhutajata
Latin Nardostachys grandiflora syn jatamansi – Rhizoma (Valerianaceae)

Jatamansi means ‘whose flesh is like a dreadlock’; it is known as Jatamansi because its roots
resembles the matted hair of the Himalayan ascetics. It has a superb rejuvenating effect on the
mind. It is a sought after nervous relaxant and anti-spasmodic.

ENERGETICS
Rasa (taste) Bitter, astringent, sweet
Virya (action) Cooling
Vipaka (post-digestive effect) Pungent
Guna (quality) Light, unctuous, penetrating
Dosha effect VPK=
Dhatu (tissue) Blood, nerve
Srota (channel) Circulatory, digestive, nervous, respiratory, reproductive

CONSTITUENTS
Essential oils- gurjunene, patchoulene, ketone, jatamansone, valeranone
Nardosinone, nardostachone
Bitter principle1.

BIO-MEDICAL ACTION
Nervine, anti-spasmodic, carminative, emmenagogue, aromatic

INDICATIONS
Nervous Hysteria, nervousness, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and insomnia. It both cools and nourishes a
‘hot’ and ‘exhausted’ nervous system; clears pitta, calms vata, reduces kapha. By virtue of its
benefiting majja dhatu-agni it enhances the intellect and induces mental clarity. Its ‘penetrating
quality’ is useful in clearing headaches and ‘muzzy’ head syndrome.
Heart Palpitations, angina, essential hypertension2. When vata pushes pitta it causes it to rush in
the channels and this is especially aggravating to the sites pitta can influence, hence the connection
between the heart, the blood and pitta causing palpitations. .
GIT Digestive cramps, borborygmus, flatulence, bloating and vata constipation with dry, hard and
gaseous stool3. It relaxes the bowel and encourages peristalsis inhibited by tension. Its aromatic
nature ‘dries’ ama and kapha and helps to circulate samana vayu.
Gynaecology Jatamansi’s penetrating and warm quality is useful in dysmenorrhoea with dragging
pain, ovarian discomfort, lower abdominal distension and pain.
Lungs Helpful in spasmodic cough, asthma, whooping cough; high vata kapha lung problems.
Hair It has a special use for promoting hair growth, preventing hair loss and greying hair4.
Skin It is highly valued for skin disorders with a nervous component. It acts on rakta dhatu and via
the nervous system, especially beneficial in itching and burning sensations5.

AYURVEDIC ACTION
Medhya Brain tonic
1
Tisserand and Balacs, Paranjpe
2
Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha
3
Indian Medicinal Plants
4
Indian Medicinal Plants
5
Bhavaprakasha

© Sebastian Pole 2006

Rasayana Rejuvenative to the mind
Nidrajnana Promotes sleep
Manasrogaghna Alleviates mental diseases
Pachana Digestive
Kasaswasahara Alleviates coughs and breathing difficulties
Kushtaghna Stops skin diseases and itching
Daha prashamana Stops burning sensations
Varnya Benefits complexion
Roma sanjanana Promotes hair growth

COMBINATIONS
+ Gotu kola, Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Aswagandha in nerve disorders.
+ Arjuna, Punarnava, Bala in cardiac palpitations and pain.
+ Cardamom, Ginger, Licorice in digestive discomfort.
+ Mustaka, Shatavari, Ajwain and Turmeric in menstrual pain.
+ Vasaka, Ajmoda, Pushkaramoola in breathing disorders

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Caution during pregnancy. High doses will cause nausea, colic and urinary problems.

SAFETY
No drug herb interactions are known but caution with sedative, anti-hypertensive and anti-
depressive medication.

DOSAGE
3 x 250–500mg/day as powder, 1–10g dried root or 3–12ml/day of a 1:3 @ 45% tincture.

NOTES
* This high Himalayan herb is CITES Appendix 3 listed and must be from a cultivated source to be
exported from India and Nepal. If you buy it without proof of certification you are probably depleting
natural stocks.
* It grows at 3000–5000m.
* Its lightness prevents some of the dulling effects of other nervines.
* Its special action (prabhava) is as a brain rejuvenative.

© Sebastian Pole 2006