Spikenard is expensive due to a few reasons. First and foremost, it’s a rare plant that grows in the wild at high altitudes in the Himalayas, making it difficult to harvest. It also takes a significant amount of time to mature, around 7 years, delaying the manufacturing process. Another contributing factor to its high cost is the labor-intensive process of extracting its essential oil. It requires almost 50 pounds of Spikenard root to produce 1 pound of the oil, making the production process costly. Lastly, because of its significant role in many cultural and religious practices, its demand is high, pushing its price further up. Therefore, its rarity, harvesting challenges, production cost, and high demand collectively make Spikenard expensive.
What Is the Spiritual Significance of Spikenard Oil?
Spikenard has a deep spiritual significance in many cultures and religions. It’s mentioned numerous times in the Bible, where it’s used to anoint the feet of Jesus. In the Hindu tradition, spikenard is used in Ayurvedic medicine to soothe the nervous system and enhance spiritual awareness. It’s also highly regarded in Tibetan Buddhism, where it’s believed to have a calming effect on the mind and is often included in spiritual practices.
At a more personal level, spikenard oil has long been believed to have powerful spiritual properties. It’s thought to promote a sense of peace and tranquility, and people have used it for centuries to enhance meditation and prayer.
Spikenard, a medicinal plant known for it’s strong aromatic qualities, is believed to offer an array of skincare benefits. Apart from it’s soothing properties that can alleviate skin irritation and inflammation, spikenard possesses potent antifungal abilities that can be crucial in maintaining optimal skin health. Therefore, spikenard is gaining popularity as a natural remedy for various fungal skin infections, such as dermatitis and itching. Let’s take a closer look at how spikenard can benefit your skin.
Is Spikenard Good for the Skin?
Spikenard, also known as nard, is a flowering plant that’s long been valued for it’s medicinal properties. It’s native to the Himalayas and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine practices. One of the most notable benefits of spikenard is it’s ability to promote healthy skin.
Free radicals can accelerate the aging process and lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots. By using spikenard, you can help to prevent premature aging and maintain a youthful complexion.
In addition to it’s antioxidant properties, spikenard is also antifungal, which makes it an excellent treatment for various skin ailments caused by fungal infections. These include conditions such as athletes foot, ringworm, and jock itch. By using spikenard, you can reduce inflammation, ease itching, and speed up the healing process.
This is particularly useful for people who suffer from eczema or psoriasis. These skin conditions can cause scaly, itchy patches on the skin, which can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
This can be caused by a reaction to an irritant or an allergic reaction.
Ways to Use Spikenard in Skincare, Including DIY Recipes for Masks, Serums, and Creams
- Spikenard essential oil can be added to a carrier oil and applied to the skin for it’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- A spikenard and honey mask can be made by mixing the two ingredients together and applying it to the face for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.
- A spikenard and coconut oil serum can be made by mixing a few drops of spikenard oil with coconut oil and applying it to the face as a moisturizer.
- Spikenard can also be added to a DIY cream or lotion for it’s skin-soothing and rejuvenating properties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the high price of spikenard can be attributed to various factors, including it’s distant origin, complex extraction process, and limited availability. The plant's rarity and versatility also contribute to it’s high cost. Although it may seem unreasonable to pay such a high price for a plant extract, the benefits and unique properties offered by spikenard make it a valuable commodity in various industries, including cosmetics and perfumery. As a result, spikenard's scarcity and expense only add to it’s allure, making it an exquisite and coveted ingredient.
