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Spikenard

Spikenard is a fragrant Himalayan root used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, and it seems to act on calming brain signals such as GABA. The best-supported finding is for blood pressure: in one trial of people with stage 1 hypertension, readings were lower after four weeks than with placebo, though the evidence is limited. That was a single study of 40 people, and work on anxiety, mood and memory comes mostly from animals.

Sources: PMID 33066862

Best evidence
Grade C
Conditions studied
4
Outcomes
8
Graded outcomes
0044

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

4 conditions, plus general outcomes

General

General: outcomes studied for Spikenard
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Depression

A double-blind RCT (n=40) found 3g/day of N. jatamansi for 6 weeks significantly reduced Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores in post-stroke depression patients vs. placebo. Animal studies demonstrate antidepressant-like activity via MAO-A/B inhibition and serotonin transporter regulation. Human evidence is from a single small trial; preclinical support is stronger.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect2 studies40 people

Studies that measured depression

Insomnia

A comparative clinical trial (n=30) found Jatamansi churna 4g three times daily with milk for 1 month improved sleep initiation (61%), sleep duration (48%), and disturbed sleep (53%) in primary insomnia patients, though it was slightly less effective than Tagara (Valeriana wallichii).

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect1 study30 people

Studies that measured insomnia

Seizure Frequency

In rats, N. jatamansi extract showed anticonvulsant activity in maximal electroshock seizure models and dose-dependently decreased severity of spontaneous recurrent seizures in a lithium-pilocarpine epilepsy model. The extract synergistically enhanced phenytoin's protective index from 3.63 to 13.18. No human anticonvulsant trials exist.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect2 studies

Studies that measured seizure frequency

Stress Resilience

In rats, N. jatamansi extract (200-500mg/kg) significantly mitigated cold restraint stress-induced alterations in dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels across multiple brain regions and reduced oxidative stress markers. Subchronic administration increased GABA, serotonin, and monoamine levels in rat brain tissue.

Changes; see studiesSmall effect2 studies

Studies that measured stress resilience

Anxiety Disorders (Other)

Anxiety Disorders (Other): outcomes studied for Spikenard
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anxiety

A double-blind RCT (n=76) compared Jatamansi 1000mg twice daily to imipramine for generalized anxiety disorder. An animal study showed anxiolytic effects comparable to diazepam via GABA-benzodiazepine receptor activation at 250mg/kg for 7 days in mice. One small RCT and supportive preclinical data suggest anxiolytic potential, but human evidence remains limited.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect1 study106 people

Studies that measured anxiety

Cardiovascular Health

  • Blood Pressure: improves
Cardiovascular Health: outcomes studied for Spikenard
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Pressure

A single-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial (n=40) found 3g/day of N. jatamansi for 4 weeks significantly reduced systolic BP from 144 to 134 mmHg and diastolic BP from 95 to 83 mmHg vs. placebo in stage 1 hypertension patients.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect1 study40 people

Studies that measured blood pressure

Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)

  • Cognitive Function: improves
Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD): outcomes studied for Spikenard
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cognitive Function

In mice, N. jatamansi extract (200mg/kg for 8 days) significantly improved learning and memory in elevated plus maze and passive avoidance tasks, reversing diazepam- and scopolamine-induced amnesia. In rats, 200mg/kg for 21 days prevented chronic restraint stress-induced learning and memory deficits in a radial arm maze. No human cognitive trials exist.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect2 studies

Studies that measured cognitive function

Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Neuroprotection: improves
Alzheimer’s Disease: outcomes studied for Spikenard
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Neuroprotection

In Drosophila Alzheimer's disease models, jatamansinol extended lifespan, improved locomotor activity, enhanced learning and memory, and reduced both tau and amyloid-beta protein levels. In rat models, N. jatamansi extract reversed reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia and catalepsy, suggesting anti-parkinsonian potential. All evidence is preclinical.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect2 studies

Studies that measured neuroprotection

Key findings

  • DepressionImproves (the measure goes down)
  • AnxietyAnxiety Disorders (Other)Improves (the measure goes down)
  • Blood PressureCardiovascular HealthImproves (the measure goes down)

Shop Spikenard

Third-party tested Spikenard products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.

  • Grade C

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Studies cited

13 studies from PubMed

  1. Protective effect of Nardostachys jatamansi extract against lithium-pilocarpine-induced spontaneous recurrent seizures and associated cardiac irregularities in a rat modelJ Ethnopharmacol, 2023 · PMID 36813245
  2. Jatamansinol from Nardostachys jatamansi Ameliorates Tau-Induced Neurotoxicity in Drosophila Alzheimer's Disease ModelMol Neurobiol, 2022 · PMID 35864434
  3. Antidepressant activities and regulative effects on serotonin transporter of Nardostachys jatamansi DCJ Ethnopharmacol, 2021 · PMID 33220358
  4. Efficacy of Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC in essential hypertension: A randomized controlled studyComplement Ther Med, 2020 · PMID 33066862
  5. Anxiolytic actions of Nardostachys jatamansi via GABA benzodiazepine channel complex mechanism and its biodistribution studiesMetab Brain Dis, 2018 · PMID 29934858
  6. A comparative clinical study on the effect of Tagara (Valeriana wallichii DC.) and Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi DC.) in the management of Anidra (primary insomnia)Ayu, 2015 · PMID 26730138
  7. Reversal of reserpine-induced orofacial dyskinesia and catalepsy by Nardostachys jatamansiIndian J Pharmacol, 2012 · PMID 22701243
  8. Nardostachys jatamansi protects against cold restraint stress induced central monoaminergic and oxidative changes in ratsNeurochem Res, 2012 · PMID 22903470
  9. Nardostachys jatamansi extract prevents chronic restraint stress-induced learning and memory deficits in a radial arm maze taskJ Nat Sci Biol Med, 2012 · PMID 23225973
  10. Inhibition of MAO and GABA: probable mechanisms for antidepressant-like activity of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. in miceIndian J Exp Biol, 2008 · PMID 18512329
  11. Nardostachys jatamansi improves learning and memory in miceJ Med Food, 2006 · PMID 16579738
  12. Anticonvulsant and neurotoxicity profile of Nardostachys jatamansi in ratsJ Ethnopharmacol, 2005 · PMID 16095854
  13. Effects of Nardostachys jatamansi on biogenic amines and inhibitory amino acids in the rat brainPlanta Med, 1994 · PMID 8202559