Crude drug sample data base

※Click on the image to enlarge it.
Crude drug name

Market nameJatamansi
Formal nameJatamamsi
Other names　　　

Tips！

 Balchar, Jatamansi (T), Jatamash (B), Balchar (H), Bhootajata (K), Jetamanshi (M), Jatamamsi (Te), Jatamashi (Ta), Spans-pos (Ti), Haswa, Naswa, Jatamangsi (N), Jatamansa, Jatamakuta (Sin)
English nameSpikenard, Indian Nard
Original plant nameNardostachys jatamansi DC., Spikenard, Indian Nard
Family nameValerianaceae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification rhizome
Collection date2001/07/14
TMPW No.20344

Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameAyurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name		Jatamamsi, Spikenard, Indian Nard
SynonymsMamsi, Krsnajata, Jatila, Jalada, Nali, Himsra, Pisuni, Jata, Pesi, Kravyadi, Tapasvini, Bhutajata, Misi, Kesini, Jatamamsi, Mamsani, Jatala, Nalada, Mesi, Tamasi, Cakravartini, Mrgabhaksa
crude drug image
More
※Click on the image to enlarge it.
Original plant nameNardostachys jatamansi DC.
Family nameValerianaceae
Used partRoot
Distribution areaAlpine Himalayas from Punjab to Sikkim and Bhutan at 3000m.
RemarksCommon.
Common usesRoot is aromatic, bitter, tonic, stimulant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic, emmenagogue, carminative, stomachic and laxative. It is used in the treatment of epilepsy, hysteria, coryza, convulsions, intestinal colic, cholera, oedema, palpitations of heart and mental disorders.
In Ayurveda, the drug is believed to increase intellect/memory. It is a component of anti-epileptic drug "Ayush-56". Traditionally the drug has been used as a herbal central nervous system drug in epilepsy, hysteria and convulsions.
A decoction of the powdered root is prescribed as a home remedy for high blood pressure. Rhizomes and roots significantly effect amylase activity. Spikenard oil possesses antiarrhythmic activity with possible therapeutic usefulness in cases of auricular flutter.
Therapeutic usesVisa (poison), Antardaha (internal burning), Visarpa (erysipelas), Kustha (skin diseases), Bhutabandha (evil afflictions)
Chemical constituentOthers
Rhizomes contain: Essential oil (Spikenard oil yield upto 1.9%), Jatansic acid, Neolignans, Mineral elements, Jatamansone, d-nardostachone and Valaranone.

Pharmacological effectJatamamsi enters into a composition of a compound herbal formulation- BR-16A(Mentat) which has been found to facilitate hearing and memory and has been classified as a nootropic agent like piracetam. Clinical trial of mentat on epileptics showed that it serves as a valuable adjuvant to commonly used anti-epileptic drug bringing about reduction In seizure frequency with no side effects.
Jatamamsi has shown to exert tranquilizing activity in mice and monkeys. In clinical trials on hyperkinetic children jatamamsone showed significant reduction in hyperactivity and improvement in restlessness and aggressiveness, almost at par with D-amphetamine. Jatamamsone possesses anticonvulsant action as well. The oil in moderate doses has a distinct depressant action on CNS. The root extract shows sedative properties.
Medical systemAyurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)
Traditional conceptRasa (Taste)Tikta (Bitter), Kasaya (Astringent)
Virya (Potency)Sita (Cold)
Guna (Quality)Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Unctuous)
Vipaka
(Post digestive taste)		Katu (Pungent)
Prabhava
(Special action)		Bhutaghna (pacifying mental afflictions)
Karma
(General action)		Kantikrt (improving lusture), Medhya (improving intellect), Balya (promoting strength)
Dosakarma
(Action on dosa)		Decreases Pitta Kapha
Dhatukarma(Action
on body tissues)		Asra (blood)
Avayava
(Action on organ)		Tvacya (good for skin)
Traditional usage1. Mamsi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Marica (black pepper), salt, Haridra (turmeric), Tagara (Valeriana wallichii), Snuhi root (Euphorbia spp.), urine, bile and alkali of Palasa (Butea monosperma) paste of these destroys skin disease.

2. Putika (Holoptelia integrifolia), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), Mamsi, Visala (Citrullus colocynthis), Guduci (Tinospora cordifolia), Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus) and Kakanasa (Martynia annua) paste is tried remedy for mandala kustha (a type of skin disease).

3. It is used for external application along with other drugs oedema.

4. One should smoke with realgar, orpiment, Madhuka (liquorice), Mamsi, Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Ingudi (Balanites roxburghii) followed by intake of warm milk with jaggery for cough.

5. Paste of Candana (sandal), Cavya (Piper chaba), Mamsi, Draksa (raisins), Balaka (Coleus zeylanicus), Gairika (red ochre) should be taken with cold water for vomiting.

6. Mamsi is one of the ingredients in the Trutyadi (a formulation) efficacious in calculus.

7. Oil cooked with Talisa (Abies webbiana), Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides), Mamsi, Harenu (Amomum subulatum), Aguru (Aquilaria agallocha), Candana (sandal), Haridra (turmeric), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Padma (lotus) seeds, Usira (Vetiveria zizanioides) and Madhuka is good healing agent for accidental wounds.

8. In Pitta type of eye diseases, paste on the lids should be applied of Candana, Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Manjista (Rubia cordifolia), Padmaka, Madhuka, Mamsi and Kaliyaka (Berberis aristata).

9. Mamsi, Kunkuma (Crocus sativus), Patra (Cinnamomum tamala), Tvak (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Rajani (turmeric), Tagara (Valeriana wallichii), Candana (sandal), Realgar, Vyaghranakha (Argyrea speciosa) and Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) - These are pounded with water and used as intake, snuff, collyrium and paste. It destroys all types of swelling and poison.

10. Mamsi, Kustha (Saussurea lappa), black sesamum, Sariva and Nilotpala (Nymphaea nouchali) pounded with milk and mixed with honey should be applied locally. It is an excellent agent for promoting growth of hairs.
FormulationMamsyadi kvatha, Raksoghna ghrta, Sarvausadhi snana, Mahapaisacika ghrta, Abhyanjana taila, Kulatthadi ghrta, Hriberadi ghrta, Carngeri ghrta, Trutyadi formulation, Bala taila, Amrtadya taila, Madhuparnyadi taila, Mahapadmaka taila, Mrtasanjivani agada, Ksaragada, Dusivisari agada, Rsabhaka agada, Madhusugandhi agada, Gandha taila, Khadiradi gutika, Snaihika dhuma, Vakradyanjana, Mamsadyanjana, Pippalyasava, Dasanga lepa, Laghu visa garva taila, Jatamamsyarka.
CommentsDhanvantari nighantu mentions another variety called Gandhamamsi. This is correlated to Selinium tenuifolium. There is yet another variety called Akasamamsi. This has not been correlated to any botanical source. Roots of Selinium vaginatum, Cympopogon schoenanthus are used as adulterants.

This is included in Samjnasthapana gana of Caraka.
ReferencesReference book　

Tips！

[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 4 (Repr.1997), pp 104-107.

Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, 1956. Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi. - New Edition (1996) National Institute Science Communication; Supplement
pp 173-174.

Illustrated Manual of Herbal Drugs Used in Ayurveda, 1996. Sarin, Y.K., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
p 44.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol I, Ed. I, 1989. Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Dept. of Health, New Delhi
p 51-52.

Plants in Ayurveda (A Compendium of Botanical and Sanskrit Names), 1997. Abdul Kareem, M., Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore
1158.

Dravyagunavijnana, Vols. 1-5, reprint 1998. Sharma, P.V., Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi
Vol. 2, pp 31-34.

Classical uses of Medicinal Plants, 1996. Sharma, P.V., Chaukhambha Visvabharati, Varanasi
p 295.

RemarksRoots of Valeriana jatamansi and Cymbopogon schoenanthus are often mistaken for Jatamamsi. But Jatamamsi is used as a substitute for Valerian. Recently roots and rhizomes of Selinum vaginatum have been found as adulterant to Jatamamsi.
Last renewal date2023/12/20
[close the window]