JATAMANSI POWDER (Nardostachys jatamansi) aka – Jatamansi, Sambul Lateeb, Sumbul-ut-teeb, Balchar, SpikenardThe rhizomes of this plant are used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine as a bitter tonic, stimulant, anti-spasmodic, and to treat hysteria, convulsions, and epilepsy. The root treats insomnia and blood, circulatory, and mental disorders. In Kerala, a state in South India considered by many to be the home of Ayurveda, Jatamansi has been used for hundreds of years as a nervine tonic and memory enhancer. It is also used to treat neurological disorders like epilepsy, hysteria, convulsions, and mental weakness. Due to its sedative action, Jatamansi is very effective in chronic anxiety, depression, insomnia, migraine and tension headaches. Today, it is used in the Ayurvedic treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Oil of Jatamansi is used to treat palpitations of the heart since the herb possesses anti-arrhythmic properties. It helps in maintaining the circulatory system and in purifying the blood too. It is especially helpful in treating urine related problems, including kidney stones and renal colic as well as in treating fever. Ayurvedic physicians prescribe Jatamansi as an aphrodisiac. In the menopausal syndrome it is used in combination with other nervine tonics as an emmenagogue, for it promotes menstruation and has a cleansing effect on the uterus. At the same time, decoctions made from this herb are useful in hepatitis and in treating enlargement of the liver, problems with the digestive tract, including lack of appetite, poor digestion, flatulence and constipation. Jatamansi is an anti-septic, the decoction of the root is applied on affected areas in skin problems, burns, wounds, rashes, eczema,  and in skin infections caused by streptococcus bacteria known as erysipelas. In cases of severe headaches due to hypertension or migraine, you can take the herb twice a day for 2 weeks.