Spikenard is mentioned in the Bible 17 different times- whether directly or indirectly. It was one of the most precious oils in ancient times—used only by priests, Kings, or high initiates.
Spikenard is the oil that Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus’ feet with before the Last Supper.
“Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3
If you ever smell the musky and sweet aroma of Spikenard, it would be easy to see how the scent filled the home where Jesus was anointed by Mary. The oil was applied by Mary as a symbolic preparation for Jesus’ imminent death which was 6 days away.
In 21st century American dollars, the retail cost of a pound of Spikenard mixed with Myrrh (what the ointment from the scripture was) would be in the range of $1,500-$2,000. For common laborers in that time and place, that amount of money would have been a year’s wages.
Spikenard contains some of the highest known sesquiterpenes (93%) found in essential oils. You can spend a lot of time googling all about this fancy word. In a nutshell sesquiterpene molecules deliver oxygen molecules to cells, like hemoglobin does in the blood.
Spikenard is an aromatic flowering herb native to the Himalayan Mountains of India and Tibet. The essential oil is retrieved through steamed distillation from its roots. It is an extremely gentle oil, and it is commonly used to help relax, soothe, and support the skin. Definitely an oil every woman wants to have in her collection as it can soothe the effects of a monthly cycle.
You can find this single oil in a few of YL’s blends: Egyptian Gold, Exodus II, Humility, and The Gift.
If you have any other interesting information on Spikenard, we would love for you to share with us in the comments section!
Abby Wilkey from Cartersville, GA
#2011902
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