Chinese Spikenard

Botanical Overview

Chinese Spikenard (Nardostachys chinensis) is a species in the Valerianaceae family. This species belongs to the Valerianaceae family, a group of flowering plants. Although comprehensive ethnobotanical records are limited, phytochemical studies have identified 30 compounds in this species, suggesting potential medicinal value.

General Description

Nardostachys jatamansi is the sole species in genus.

ⓘ Information
Description adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Family Context

The Valerianaceae family is widely distributed. Notable medicinal members include:

Geographic Distribution

Chinese Spikenard has been recorded in China, and United States.

Active Compounds

Phytochemical research has identified 30 compounds in this species, including a diverse array of phytochemical classes (see the Complete Chemical Inventory below for the full list).

Research Status

Although this species has documented phytochemical constituents, its ethnobotanical and clinical documentation remains incomplete. Systematic pharmacological studies are needed to validate the traditional uses attributed to this species.

ⓘ Information
Information on this page is compiled from Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases (USDA ARS), a public domain resource. Consult a healthcare professional before using any herbal preparation.

Distribution and Conservation

Reported distribution: China, United States.

Complete Chemical Inventory

CompoundFormulaMW
1(10)-ARISTOLENEC₁₅H₂₄204.35 Da
9-ARISTOLENEC₁₅H₂₄204.35 Da
ARACHIDIC-ACIDC₂₀H₄₀O₂312.5 Da
ARISTOL-9-EN-1-OL
ARISTOLA-1(10),8-DIEN-2-ONEC₁₅H₂₀O216.32 Da
ARISTOLA-1,9-DIENE
ARSENICAs74.92159 Da
BEHENIC-ACIDC₂₂H₄₄O₂340.6 Da
BETA-IONONEC₁₃H₂₀O192.30 Da
BETA-MAALIENEC₁₅H₂₄204.35 Da
CALCIUMCa40.08 Da
COPPERCu63.55 Da
D-NARDOSTACHONE
DELTA-1(10)-ARISTOLENON-(2)
HENEICOSANIC-ACIDC₂₁H₄₂O₂326.6 Da
IRONFe55.84 Da
ISONARDOSINONEC₁₅H₂₂O₃250.33 Da
JATAMANSIC-ACIDC₁₅H₂₂O₂234.33 Da
JATAMANSINC₁₉H₂₀O₅328.4 Da
JATAMANSONEC₁₅H₂₆O222.37 Da
MAALIOLC₁₅H₂₆O222.37 Da
MAGNESIUMMg24.305 Da
MANGANESEMn54.93804 Da
MARGARINIC-ACIDC₁₇H₃₄O₂270.5 Da
MERCURYHg200.59 Da
MYRISTIC-ACIDC₁₄H₂₈O₂228.37 Da
NARCHINOL-A
NARDOLC₁₅H₂₆O222.37 Da
NARDOSINONEC₁₅H₂₂O₃250.33 Da
OROSELOLC₁₄H₁₂O₄244.24 Da

Data from PubChem (NIH/NLM, public domain).


References & Further Reading

External Research Links

Data Sources