Nard essential oil: properties, uses, natural remedies, uses in the gospel, preparation of ointments and do it yourself.
The essential oil of Indian Nard is obtained by steam distillation of the dried and pressed rhizomes and roots of the botanical species Nardostachys jatamansi.
With the steam distillation process, from the rhizomes and roots of Nardo, its essential oil is obtained which appears as a yellow-amber liquid, difficult to find on the market and with a significant price.
What makes this oil expensive are its properties unequivocally linked to its fame: it is among the oldest oils, so much so that the gospel testifies to its use as an invigorating and soothing ointment.
Nardo essential oil, properties and uses
It has anti-inflammatory, deodorant, invigorating, relaxing, invigorating, soothing and antifungal properties.
The botanical species Nardostachys jatamansi is an aromatic herb native to the mountainous regions of northern India. Very popular in traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda.
In aromatherapy it is used for its sedative and tonic effect and is recommended for the treatment of various psychosomatic disorders induced by anxiety or stress. For this reason, ointments can be prepared by pouring 6 drops of Nardo essential oil into a tablespoon of sweet almond oil to carry out a light massage inside the arms to go up to the chest. The massage should be done twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
Another possible natural remedy based on Nardo essential oil sees it used for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties to be used in the case of muscle pain of various kinds. In this case it will be necessary to dilute 10 drops of Nardo essential oil in 50 ml of hemp oil.
Nardo essential oil, chemical composition
The chemical composition sees a good amount of compounds such as bornyl acetate (bornyl acetate), valeranone, ionone (jonon), tetramentyl-oxatricyl-decanol (tetramenthyloxatricylodecanon), mentyl-ethimyl-ether and the very famous 1,8-cineole compound.
Bornyl acetate (the first compound mentioned) is mainly contained also in the essential oil of pine. Valeranone is present in abundance in sage and valerian. The ionone is present in a large number of medicinal plants, including oregano, the most common. Decanol is a 10 octane alcohol which, like valeranone (an alcohol), is present in sage and valerian.
Cineole is a very popular alcohol due to its chemical properties. In 2000, a study highlighted the anti-inflammatory properties of 1,8-Cineole; according to what the researchers say, if applied locally, lotions based on this compound would be able to soothe pains of various kinds by carrying out a strong anti-inflammatory action.
Nardo oil in the Gospel
The properties and uses of nard oil are so ancient that they are reported in the sacred scriptures of the Bible, with the new testament. In the Gospel, nard oil was used several times to anoint the head or feet of Jesus who became a symbol of the Lord’s anointed. The Gospel testifies to the value of Nardo oil which, according to the words of Giuda Iscariòta, was sold for 300 denarii. Anyone who has ever read the New Testament or has ever attended the musical Jesus Christ Superstar will remember the words of Judas: “Why was this perfumed oil not sold for three hundred denarii and then given to the poor?”. The perfumed oil in question was precisely that of Nardo and 300 denarii represented the wages of several months of labor, enough to justify the wrath of Judas.
In the Gospel according to John the price and quantity are specified. We read that a Roman pound of Nardo oil was sold for 300 Romans. That is to say that with 300 denarii it was possible to buy 33 cl of Nardo oil. For the same amount it was possible to buy a fairly handsome slave. 300 denari was the one-year salary of an infantryman of the 1st century Roman legions. Today, 33 dl of Nardo oil cost around $1010 USD: the price is 10 times lower than what is read in the Bible, compared to 3400 years ago.
Where to buy Nardo essential oil
The nardo oil ointment can also be prepared at home to take advantage of its revitalizing properties and scent. Just dilute a few drops of Nardo essential oil in a carrier oil or carrier oil.
Nardo essential oil costs a lot and can be counted among the most expensive essential oils (see essential oil of rose, essential oil of neroli or essential oil of jasmine).
A 10 ml bottle of Nardo essential oil is offered at a price of $25 USD including shipping costs. For all information, please refer to the product page: Nardo Essential Oil, 100% pure.
