What is Jatamansi?
Jatamansi is an Ayurvedic herb found all year round in the Himalayas. Belonging to the Valerian family, the Jatamansi plant grows best at the peak of 3000-4000 meters. Jatamansi plant is classified as a critically endangered species in the IUCN list of medicinal plants.
The Jatamansi plant is small, pink, and bell-shaped. Jatamansi plant's roots and rhizomes are edible and used for medicinal purposes. Jatamansi oil extracted from the plant's rhizomes is nardal, jatamansic acid, and Nardin.
Jatamansi has several names across the country. In Ayurvedic texts, the jatamansi plant is known as 'tapaswini.' In English, jatamansi is known as 'Indian spikenard,' and in Tamil, jatamansi is known as Jatamamsi.
Jatamansi Uses
Due to its unique properties, the jatamansi plant has many benefits –
Jatamansi oil uses for hair.
Jatamansi oil is an amber-colored oil used as a perfume during Indian religious ceremonies. Jatamansi oil can be mixed with homemade hair tonic or hair oil to promote hair growth.
Also Read: Ayurvedic oils for hair
Jatamansi benefits for health issues
Jatamansi plant's rhizomes are used to treat epilepsy, convulsions, and hysteria. Eating crushed Jatamansi root treats insomnia and improves cardiac health. Jatamansi plant helps in treating hyperglycemia or diabetes. You could also perform these yoga asanas simultaneously for treating diabetes.
Jatamansi benefits for brain & memory
Brain functions and memory improve when jatamansi powder is taken in capsules or tablets. Studies conclude that Jatamansi is also known to relieve stress and anxiety. By reducing stress, jatamansi enhances heart health.
Jatamansi uses for digestive health
Jatamansi plant contains methanolic extracts that possess antifungal and antibacterial properties. In ayurvedic terms, jatamansi has pitta balancing qualities. Jatamansi can fight bacterial infections, soothe inflammation and irritable bowel syndrome.
Jatamansi ensures better gut health by preventing bloating, gas, and inflammation in the intestine.
Also Read: 5 easy ways to improve digestive health
Jatamansi uses for skin
Clear skin is also a result and a sign of good digestion. The dried jatamansi roots are used as an efficient skin cleanser to keep skin safe from pollution and dust. As per studies, Jatamansi benefits your skin by detoxifying blood and ensuring that your skin has better nutrients and oxygen supply, thereby fighting dullness and aging signs.
Also Read: Other Ayurvedic Herbs for skin
Jatamansi for Hair
Today, maintaining healthy and thick hair is a tough task. With women, men also go through hair and scalp damage like dandruff, frizzy hair, hair loss, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, greying, and others.
Therefore, a good hair routine is a must. Hair damage can be treated by the use of herbal hair care products as it is a sustainable choice. As discussed above, Jatamansi’s use for hair improves hair quality and texture.
Jatamansi benefits for hair growth
Nardostachys jatamansi rhizomes are used to boost hair growth. It is shown to boost hair growth in cases of male pattern baldness by increasing hair follicle size so that stronger and thicker hair strands can grow. Jatamansi also ensure to fight hair hair loss by making sure your hair strands are strong enough. Do check out these ayurvedic herbs for hair growth.
The best way to use jatamansi for hair growth is via a jatamansi hair pack using jatamansi hair powder. Jatamansi roots are converted into a paste and applied on the scalp to promote hair growth.
Also Read: Derma roller for hair growth
Jatamansi benefits for soft hair
In case your hair has become dry, brittle and possibly lifeless, jatamansi uses can come to your rescue. Jatamansi nourishes your hair and prevent it from breaking away easily. In solving for dry hair, jatamansi is a great way to fight split ends.
The best way to use jatamansi for soft hair is to apply jatamansi oil to your hair before using a mild shampoo to wash your hair. Extracted jatamansi hair oil reduces hair fall and increases hair growth also reduces bald patches.
Also Read: The best hair oils for men
Jatamansi to prevent grey hair
Jatamansi hair oils impart blackness to your hair and is used as a natural dye which is also used to prevent grey hair. Studies conducted say that jatamansi has very natural high hair blackening traits.
Jatamansi powder is mixed with coconut oil; this oil moisturizes the hair and does not make it greasy in texture.
Jatamansi for dandruff
Jatamansi has antibacterial and antifungal properties to keep dandruff at bay. It will soothe an itchy scalp caused by dandruff.
The best way to use jatamansi for dandruff is to apply jatamansi hair oil before washing your hair. Jatamansi will penetrate through hair follicles and deep nourish your scalp so that it does not flake and cause more dandruff.
Also Read: Home Remedies to dandruff
Jatamansi – Application and Consumption
Jatamansi is an edible plant and has therapeutic action on the human body. It is also applied externally for hair related problems.
Benefits of consuming jatamansi –
- The jatamansi rhizome is consumed as a bitter tonic for a small shrub whose rhizomes may speed hair growth. It’s been shown to increase hair growth in Male pattern baldness and even in the case of cancer, post-chemotherapy.
- Applying Jatamansi oil on the scalp helps manage scalp infections and prevents greying due to its antifungal and antioxidant properties. Also eat foods likes black tea, curry leaves, etc., to prevent grey hair.
- The oil extracted from Jatamansi called Jatamansi oil contains antioxidants and promotes hair growth on its own and in synergy with other herbs.
- Jatamansi is good for hair growth as it helps to increase the follicular size and elongate the growth phase of hair
Application of Jatamansi –
- Applying a mixture of jatamansi oil with coconut or sesame oil on the scalp promotes shine and hair growth.
- Castor oil makes hair strong, and when mixed with jatamansi oil, it helps in deep nourishment and encourages hair growth on bald patches.
Forms of Jatamansi
There are a plethora of options available to buy Jatamansi- in the form of bottled oils, jatamansi powder ( jatamansi churna), or even the jatamansi root by itself which can be boiled and consumed.
Jatamansi tablets are extracts of the plant’s roots sold in the market as an ayurvedic product.
How to use Jatamansi for Hair?
To cure dandruff and skin infection, mix 25 grams of jatamansi powder and 200ml of neem oil. Leave the mix covered for 24- 36 hours under sunlight for the powder to soak in the oil.
The prepared oil is then massaged on the scalp and left for 10-15 hours to get better results. Washing with a mild natural shampoo is preferable.
Hair treatment with synthetic products gives good results, but they are not long-lasting. To overcome and treat hair after chemical torture, dermatologists recommend using mild hair care products. Natural ingredients are safer and provide long term effects.
Many clinical studies have supported Jatamansi benefits for hair. Jatamansi for hair is beneficial in strengthening, curing split ends, and reducing hair fall. It is a phenomenal decoction for all men who wish to have strong and healthy hair with least maintenance.
Also Read: Apple Cider Vinegar & Aloe Vera for hair
Jatamansi Dosage
1-3 grams of jatamansi powder can be consumed by adults twice a day.
The jatamansi oil and root powder can be taken in 2-5 drops and 1-3 g of concentration respectively with honey, ghee, or water as per choice and taste preference.
References
- Venkateswara Rao Gottumukkala, Tiruganasambandham Annamalai, and Triptikumar Mukhopadhyay, June 2011; Phytochemical investigation and hair growth studies on the rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi DC- Phytochemical investigation and hair growth studies on the rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi DC (nih.gov)
- Madan Mohan Pandey, Antariksha Katara, Garima Pandey, Subha Rastogi, and A. K. S. Rawat, March 2013; An Important Indian Traditional Drug of Ayurveda Jatamansi and Its Substitute Bhootkeshi: Chemical Profiling and Antioxidant Activity https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3618914/
- Vikas Sharma, April 2016; Jatamansi : A Source Against Lung and Colon Cancer Cells- 9-19-21.pdf (researchjournal.co.in)
- Renu Sahu, H. J. Dhongade, Ajit Pandey, Poonam Sahu, Varsha Sahu, Dipali Patel, and Pranita Kashyap, April 2018; Medicinal Properties of Nardostachys jatamansi- Medicinal Properties of Nardostachys jatamansi (A Review) : Oriental Journal of Chemistry (orientjchem.org)
