Spikenard oil
A natural extractCAS 8022-22-8
Nardostachys jatamansi. Both halves of the note name the same material.
Jatamansi or Spikenard
Note Profile
About
Jatamansi, also called spikenard, is the root and rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi, a Himalayan plant. The dried roots are steam distilled. It smells earthy, woody and musky, with moist soil, moss and a faint animalic tone. Green, herbal and soft balsamic notes appear as it dries. It lasts long and is used as a base note.
Scent Profile
Jatamansi, also known as spikenard, has an earthy, woody, and musky aroma with nuances of moist soil, moss, and a subtle animalic undertone. Its scent can also reveal green, herbal facets and a soft, balsamic warmth as it dries down. The overall effect is grounding and complex, with a persistent, meditative quality.
ScentWheel
Breadthmedium
EnvelopeBase · ~24h lasting
Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.
What this is made of
Origin
Jatamansi is derived from the roots and rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi, a flowering plant native to the Himalayas. The essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of the dried roots, which are harvested from wild or cultivated sources in Nepal, India, and China.
Usage in Perfumery
Perfumers primarily use jatamansi as a base note due to its fixative properties and long-lasting character. It is valued in oriental, chypre, and fougère compositions, often blended with patchouli, vetiver, woods, and resins to impart depth and an earthy richness. Its distinctive profile can also support incense accords and meditative blends.
Similar Notes
Perfumes featuring Jatamansi or Spikenard
A selection of reviewed perfumes where Jatamansi or Spikenard appears prominently.
