Jatamansi

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Jatamansi

How does it work?

• MAO-A and MAO-B inhibition: Decreases whole brain MAO-A and MAO-B activities, increasing levels of monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine).
• Serotonin transporter regulation: Modulates serotonin reuptake, increasing synaptic 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels.
• GABAergic modulation: Influences GABA pathways contributing to anxiolytic and sedative effects.
• Anti-oxidative stress: Counters oxidative stress and excitotoxic damage in neuronal tissue.
• Alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibition: Dual enzyme inhibition with preferential alpha-glucosidase selectivity for potential antidiabetic action.
• Neuroprotective phytochemicals (jatamansinone, eselin, jatamansinol) bind MAO-B active site similarly to safinamide, suggesting potential in Parkinson’s disease management.

Modern Research (Meta-Analysis)

Total PubMed publications found: 325

Key Research Papers

1. Nardostachys jatamansi: Phytochemistry, ethnomedicinal uses, and pharmacological activities: A comprehensive review.

Authors: Pathak Shilpi, Godela Ramreddy Journal: Fitoterapia (2024) PMID: 38042505

A member of the Valerianacae family, Nardostachys jatamansi is the smallest, most primitive, perennial, dwarf, hairy, rhizomatous, herbaceous species. It has an enlarged antiquity of usage as ayurvedic medicine, homeopathic medicine, ethnomedicine, and the Indian system of medicine, and is now used in the modern medicine industry. In the ayurvedic medical system, the rhizomes of the plant are used as a bitter tonic, stimulant, antispasmodic, epileptic treatment, and for hysteria. Pharmacological reports on Nardostachys jatamansi revealed its antifungal activity, hepatoprotective activity, central nervous system activity, anticonvulsant activity, neuroprotective activity, antiparkinson’s activity, antioxidant activity, antidiabetic activity, tranquilizing activity, antiestrogenic activity f…

Keywords: Nardostachys jatamansi, Pharmacological activities, Phytochemicals, Sesquiterpenes

2. Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC.-Challenges and opportunities of harnessing the untapped medicinal plant from the Himalayas.

Authors: Dhiman Nisha, Bhattacharya Amita Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (2020) PMID: 31533076

Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC. (family Caprifoliaceae) is prized in the Chinese, Tibetan, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Indian and Japanese systems of medicine. Its medicinal properties are well documented in ancient literature such as the Ayurvedic classics, the Old Testament, Ben-Cao- Shi-Yi, and Homer’s Iliad. The plant is critically endangered and found in the alpine and sub-alpine regions of the Himalayas…

Keywords: Caprifoliaceae, Critically endangered, Himalayas, Jatamansi, Nootropic, Spikenard

3. Jatamansinol from Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC. Protects Aβ

Authors: Anupama Kizhakke P, Shilpa Olakkaran, Antony Anet et al. Journal: Neurotoxicology (2022) PMID: 35247505

Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC. is an essential plant used in Indian Ayurveda to treat neurological disorders, and it enhances memory. Its active phytochemical(s) responsible for neuroprotection is not yet studied. One of the neurological disorders, namely Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causes dementia, is not having pharmacological strategies to effectively prevent the onset of AD, cure or reverse AD progression, and treat cognitive symptoms. Here is an attempt to analyze the neuroprotective effect of jatamansinol isolated from N. jatamansi against Aβ…

Keywords: Aβ(42) protein, Drosophila, Memory, Nardostachys jatamansi, Oxidative stress, Pyranocoumarin

4. Jatamansinol from Nardostachys jatamansi Ameliorates Tau-Induced Neurotoxicity in Drosophila Alzheimer’s Disease Model.

Authors: Anupama Kizhakke Purayil, Antony Anet, Shilpa Olakkaran et al. Journal: Molecular neurobiology (2022) PMID: 35864434

Nardostachys jatamansi has long been used to prepare Medhya Rasayana in traditional Indian Ayurveda medicine to treat neurological disorders and enhance memory. Jatamansinol from the N. jatamansi against Alzheimer’s disease (AD) showed that it could be a multitargeted drug against AD. Drosophila is an ideal model organism for studying a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disease such as AD since its neuronal organizations and functioning are highly similar to that of humans. The current study investigates the neuroprotective properties of jatamansinol against Tau-induced neurotoxicity in the AD Drosophila model. Results indicate jatamansinol is not an antifeedant for larva and adult Drosophila. Lifespan, locomotor activity, learning and memory, Tau protein expression level, eye dege…

Keywords: Drosophila, Memory, Nardostachys jatamansi, Oxidative stress, Pyranocoumarin, Tau protein

5. None

Authors: Duan Congyan, Lin Weifang, Zhang Mingjie et al. Journal: Cells (2025) PMID: 40358168

BACKGROUND: METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells and a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/probenecid (MPTP/p)-induced male C57BL/6N mouse chronic model of Parkinson’s disease were applied. RESULTS: Both NJ-1A and Nar could significantly suppress LPS-induced production of M1 pro-inflammatory factors or markers in microglia and could inhibit the glycolytic process and promote oxidative phosphorylation via the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, they exhibited the capacity to attenuate chemokine release from activated microglia, consequently reducing T cell migration. In vivo experiments revealed that NJ-1A and Nar effectively inhibited microglial activation, diminished T cell infiltration, and mitigated the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive …

Keywords: Nardostachys jatamansi, Parkinson’s disease, T cell infiltration, metabolic reprogramming, microglia, nardosinone, neuroinflammation

6. Jatamansinol from

Authors: Anupama Kizhakke P, Shilpa Olakkaran, Antony Anet et al. Journal: Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics (2023) PMID: 34854369

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe memory impairment and cognitive disability in the middle and old-aged human population. There are no proven drugs for AD treatment and prevention. In Ayurveda, medhya plants are used to prepare Rasayana, and its consumption improves memory and cognition. …

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Ayurveda, Nardostachys jatamansi, molecular docking, pyranocoumarins

7. Aromatherapy With Nardostachys Jatamansi DC. Essential Oil Targeting the MAOA Gene Regulates Cardiac Neural Remodeling and Amino Acid Metabolism to Alleviate Sleep Deprivation-Induced Myocardial Injury.

Authors: Yang Hang, Li Yanzhen, Feng Lin et al. Journal: FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (2025) PMID: 40364704

Sleep deprivation (SD) adversely affects cognition, as well as physical and mental health, and is closely linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of aromatherapy with Nardostachys jatamansi DC. essential oil on SD-induced myocardial injury remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of aromatherapy with Nardostachys jatamansi DC. essential oil in mitigating SD-induced myocardial injury and to elucidate the associated mechanisms. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings and behavioral tests were employed to evaluate sleep and emotional responses. Serum myocardial injury markers were quantified using ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Masson, and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining were performe…

Keywords: MAOA, amino acid metabolism, aromatherapy with Nardostachys jatamansi DC. essential oil, neural remodeling, sleep deprivation‐induced myocardial injury

8. Nardostachys jatamansi Ethanol Extract Ameliorates Aβ42 Cytotoxicity.

Authors: Liu Quan Feng, Jeon Youngjae, Sung Yung-Wei et al. Journal: Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin (2018) PMID: 29398668

The Nardostachys jatamansi DC (NJ) root has been used as a sedative or analgesic to treat neurological symptoms and pain in traditional Korean medicine. Here, we investigate the potential effects of NJ on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and reveal the molecular mechanism through which NJ exerts its effects. The neuroprotective effect of the NJ root ethanol extract against β amyloid (Aβ) toxicity was examined in vitro using a cell culture system and in vivo using a Drosophila AD model. The NJ extract and chlorogenic acid, a major component of NJ, inhibited Aβ-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, the NJ extract rescued the neurological phenotypes of the Aβ42-expressing flies (decreased survival and pupariation rate and a locomotor defect) and suppressed Aβ42-induced cell death in the brai…

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Drosophila, Nardostachys jatamansi, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase

What do recent clinical trials show?

• Jismi VS, Ramakrishna KK, Mehta UM and others 2025. Efficacy of Nardostachys Jatamansi DC as an adjuvant to escitalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorder - A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Asian journal of psychiatry. PMID 40651126 · doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2025.104611
  Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study demonstrated that N. jatamansi DC is effective as an adjuvant to escitalopram in treating major depressive disorder, suggesting compatibility with conventional antidepressant medications.
• Iqbal MJ, Malik I, Bernal G and others 2025. Computational-experimental integration identifies potent carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzyme inhibitors from Nardostachys jatamansi: molecular docking, dynamics and pharmacokinetic predictions. Frontiers in pharmacology. PMID 41601970 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2025.1713452
  Methanolic extract exhibited superior dual enzyme inhibitory activity against both alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase, surpassing clinical standard acarbose, with preferential alpha-glucosidase selectivity and distinctive sigmoidal dose-response kinetics.
• Li R, Wang ZM, Wang Y and others 2021. Antidepressant activities and regulative effects on serotonin transporter of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 33220358 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113601
  N. jatamansi extract regulates serotonin transporter function, contributing to its antidepressant mechanism. Acute administration significantly increased serotonin (5-HT) and 5-HIAA levels; 15-day treatment increased serotonin and other monoamines.

3 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Generally well-tolerated in clinical trials; no serious adverse effects reported in post-stroke depression RCT after 6 weeks of treatment.
• Safe and effective when used as adjuvant to escitalopram (SSRI) in major depressive disorder, suggesting acceptable safety with concurrent psychiatric medications.
• Demonstrated safety in management of premenstrual syndrome symptoms in clinical studies.
• Limitations noted: absence of comprehensive toxicology studies using animal models and long-term clinical trials in human subjects.
• Listed as Critically Endangered on IUCN Red List (A2cd ver 3.1) and CITES Appendix II since 1997 — sustainability of supply is a concern for commercial use.
• Recommended dose per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India: 2-3 g/day of powder; exceeding this may carry unknown risks due to limited toxicology data.

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Tablet, Capsule, Taila (oil), Kashayam (decoction), Arka (distillate), Essential oil, Ghrita (medicated ghee)

Standard Dosage: 1-3g powder twice daily; 250-500mg extract; 5-15ml medicated oil (external); 3-5 drops essential oil (aromatherapy)

Bioavailability: Nardostachys jatamansi rhizome contains sesquiterpenes (jatamansone/valeranone), iridoids (nardosinone), and lignans. Jatamansone has moderate lipophilic absorption; Tmax ~2-3 hours. Nardosinone shows good blood-brain barrier penetration, supporting its anxiolytic/sedative effects. Co-administration with Ghee (traditional Ghrita preparation) enhances lipophilic compound absorption. Essential oil components absorbed via inhalation route for aromatherapy.

Optimal Timing: At bedtime with warm milk or ghee for sleep and anxiety; morning dose with water for cognitive support

Standardized Extract: Hydroalcoholic extract standardized to 2-3% jatamansone (valeranone) by GC-MS; essential oil with characteristic sesquiterpene profile; CO2 extract for premium applications

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (standardized extract capsule/tablet); 3 years (essential oil, sealed); 2 years (Taila)

Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from light. Essential oil in amber glass, tightly sealed. Rhizome and powder in airtight containers to preserve volatile content.

Marker Compounds: Jatamansone (valeranone), Nardosinone, Nardostachone, Jatamansinol, Nardal, Patchouli alcohol, Angelicin

Extraction Methods

• Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol:water)
• Steam distillation (essential oil, 1-2% yield from rhizome)
• Supercritical CO2 extraction for sesquiterpene-enriched fraction
• Aqueous decoction (traditional)
• Oil maceration in sesame/coconut oil for Taila

Synergistic Combinations

• With Ashwagandha for anxiety and insomnia
• With Brahmi for cognitive support and stress relief
• With Vacha for memory enhancement
• With Tagara (Valeriana) for sleep induction
• With Shankhpushpi for mental health support