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Jatamamsi

Sanskrit Name: Jatamansi

Identification No : SDACH/HG/193

Botanical Name: Nardostachys jatamansi DC.
Family Name: Caprifoliaceae (Earlier: Valerianaceae)

Vernacular Names:

  • Hindi: Jatamansi, Balchhad
  • Marathi: Jatamansi
  • Bengali: Jatamansi
  • Tamil: Jatamansi
  • English: Spikenard

Synonyms (with Shloka from Bhav Prakash):

“जटामांसी भूतजटा जटिला च तपस्विनी |”

Classification:

  • Charaka: Medhya, Lepana
  • Sushruta: Prabhadravya
  • Vagbhata: Medhya, Lepana
  • Bhav Prakash: Karpuradi varga

Habitat & Distribution:
Native to alpine and sub-alpine regions of the Himalayas at altitudes of 3000–5000 m. Found in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Nepal.

Morphology

  • Rhizome: Thick, aromatic, covered with reddish-brown fibers; intensely fragrant.
  • Stem: Erect, 10–60 cm tall, with few branches.
  • Leaves: Radical, ovate to lanceolate, and sessile.
  • Flowers: Pink to bluish-purple, borne in terminal clusters.
  • Fruits: Small, achene type.

Substitute/Adulterant:

  • Valeriana jatamansi, Selinum vaginatum, and Inula racemosa are common adulterants or substitutes.

Phytochemicals:

  • Jatamansone (major active principle)
  • Terpenoids
  • Alkaloids
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • Flavonoids

Rasapanchaka:

  • Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya, madhur
  • Guna: Laghu, Snigdha
  • Virya: Sheeta
  • Vipaka: Katu
  • Prabhava: Medhya, Nidrajanaka
  • Dosha Karma: Tridosha hara (mainly Pitta-vata shamak)

Karma (Rogaghnata):

  • Medhya
  • Nidrajanaka
  • Hridya
  • Shir shol
  • Raktashodhaka
  • Krimighna
  • Apasamar

Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses:

External Uses:

  • Oil or paste applied to scalp for calming and hair growth.
  • Paste used in stress relief massages and managing headaches.

Internal Uses:

  • Insomnia, anxiety, epilepsy: As a sedative and calming agent.
  • Memory loss, cognitive decline: As Medhya Rasayana.
  • Hypertension and cardiac issues: Acts as a cardiotonic.
  • Skin diseases and blood disorders: As Raktashodhaka.

Part Used:

  • Mula

Dose:

  • Churna: 1–3 grams
  • Kashayam/Decoction: 30–60 ml

Yoga/Formulations:

  • Manasmitra Vatakam
  • Jatamansi Churna
  • Saraswatarishta
  • Brahmi Ghrita

IUCN Status:

  • Nardostachys jatamansi is listed as Critically Endangered under criteria A2cd

Research Updates

  1. Demonstrated anxiolytic and antidepressant activity of Jatamansi extract in animal models.
  2. Highlighted neuroprotective role through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways.
  3. Jatamansone shown to improve learning and memory in Alzheimer’s disease models.
  4. Evaluated clinical benefits in patients with generalized anxiety disorder, showing significant symptom reduction.
  5. Rhizome extract found effective in modulating GABAergic activity, confirming its sedative effect.
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