Spikenard oil

Say itSPYK-nard oil

Heavy, musty-earthy roots, animalic and valerian-like, with dry woody sweetness.

What it is: Natural oil from rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi.
Where it comes from: Himalayan Nepal, India and Bhutan
When you smell it: Dry-down: hours later.
What perfumers do with it: Dark, earthy-animalic accent for incense, oud and ancient-style compositions; tiny doses suffice.
Worth knowing: Nard was the costly ointment Mary poured on Jesus's feet in John's Gospel.
Also called: Nard; jatamansi; Nardostachys jatamansi

Not on the label of any of the 232 perfumes read so far.

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