Spikenard

Spikenard’s recorded use begins in ancient Egypt, where it flavored embalming balms and scented royal chambers. Egyptian texts describe it as “nard” and value it alongside frankincense and myrrh. The Greeks imported the oil for medicinal teas, noting its calming effect, while Roman poets praised its rich scent in luxury perfumes. In the first century CE, the plant appears in biblical passages, most famously when Mary of Bethany purchased a pound of spikenard to anoint Jesus, a gesture described as a costly offering. Persian and Arab traders carried the oil along the Silk Road, expanding its reach into medieval Europe, where it flavored ointments and incense. By the 19th century, over‑harvesting and the rise of synthetic aromatics reduced its market presence, and substitutes such as sandalwood and vetiver began to replace it in many compositions.