Experience Spikenard essential oil, steam distilled from the roots of the plant and has been valued for centuries, traditionally used to anoint people of high honor and in the Ayurvedic health practices of India. This oil was used historically as perfume or incense and was common in Ayurvedic medicine. Ancient Egyptians and Romans treated the oil like a luxury item when using it in perfume. The ancient Egyptians also used the oil in the embalming process for mummies.
In religion, the oil was used as incense at the altar in Jewish temples. There are also several references to spikenard in the bible. In Catholicism, spikenard is used to represent Saint Joseph. In the Hispanic iconographic tradition, the saint is depicted holding a spikenard plant. The plant is included in Pope Francis’ coat of arms in reference to the saint.
Spikenard is also featured in ancient literature such as Homer’s Iliad, where it was used by Achilles to perfume the body of Patroclus. Pliny the Elder further documents species of the plant in his Natural History, one of the greatest works to survive from the Roman Empire. Recipes from this time suggest spikenard was used to season food, although its use was not common because of the price of the oil.
The oil was also traded between Europe and Asia along the Silk Road for use in balms and ointments. It was predominately used to treat infections of the skin or provide pain relief. By sourcing Spikenard oil from Nepal, it supports much needed income streams for harvesters and partner distillers, particularly in the remote areas where it is harvested, and supports needed rural community development projects through our Co-Impact Sourcing® initiatives.
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