He based his sermon on the Gospel of John – in particular Jesus' anointing by Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 12:1-8). The anointing happened in Bethany, when Mary took a pound of spikenard oil and applied it to His feet. She then wiped Jesus' feet with her hair, "and the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil."
A passage from the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament (Song of Solomon 4:13-15) also mentions spikenard. The source of spikenard, the perennial herb Nardostachys jatamansi, is a member of the valerian family (genus Valeriana) and originally came from the Himalayas.
According to Adams, spikenard was used as an anointing oil as seen in the Gospel of John. "This spikenard oil is eternally famous for being the oil that anointed Christ in his last days before he was crucified," he said. But outside of this use, it also possesses very important medicinal properties.
Dr. James A. Duke, in his book "Herbs of the Bible," said spikenard is beneficial in treating many health issues such as cramps, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, leprosy and painful menstruation.
The Bible nutrition educator also mentioned that an infusion made from spikenard rhizomes is useful in treating epilepsy, hysteria, heart palpitations and chorea. Spikenard rhizome also contains a compound that promotes hair growth and blackens hair color. The roots themselves are used to treat bad complexion, blood disorders, fever, leprosy, skin ailments, throat disorders and ulcers, while tea made from spikenard roots was used for cardiac and nervous disorders.
Spikenard essential oil calms the nerves and fights pathogens
Spikenard oil exhibits antiarrythmic activity, which helps treat auricular flutter (abnormal heartbeat in the heart's upper chambers). It also exerts a hypotensive effect, reducing hypertension (high blood pressure) in moderate doses. Spikenard tincture is also given for intestinal colic and flatulence, Adams added.
But spikenard's healing power comes from its ability to calm the nerves. It has a distinct depressant action on the central nervous system, and it relaxes the skeletal and soft tissue muscles.
Adams cited a March 2013 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine about spikenard in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. The study zoomed in on N. jatamansi and Selinum vaginatum, respectively called jatamansi and bhootkeshi in Ayurveda. According to the paper, these two herbs are "used in various traditional herbal formulations and nutraceuticals, as well as to treat neurological disorders like epilepsy, hysteria, convulsions and mental weakness."
Valerian root or valerian herb extract addresses seizures and calms the nervous system, which may explain why spikenard was used medicinally in the Bible. Spikenard is also known to affect GABA amino acids in the brain, translating to antianxiety and antistress effects. (Related: Spikenard prevents diseases related to neuron cell inflammation.)
Duke also mentioned in his work that the spikenard fights bacteria, fungi and inflammation – with Adams pointing out its potential to address urinary tract infections and serve as first aid for wounds. It also works as a deodorant, a laxative and a sedative.
Follow EssentialOils.news for more stories like this.
Listen to the 36th sermon of the Health Ranger Mike Adams about the healing properties of the anointing oil spikenard below.
This video is from the Abundance Church channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Spikenard found to improve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
12 Essential oils and their biblical references.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.
