Nardus Blue EO

Fragrance Profile of Blue Spikenard Essential Oil

• Character: Earthy, balsamic, woody, slightly animalic; similar to vetiver and patchouli but more mystical.
• Top notes: Spicy, slightly camphoraceous, with a hint of resin.
• Heart notes: Warm, woody, leathery; reminiscent of vetiver and patchouli but with more spiritual depth.
• Base notes: Balsamic, ambery, slightly animalic; remains present for a long time and anchors a composition.
• Color: Dark blue to brownish, depending on distillation and batch.

 

Use in perfumery

• Fixateur: Anchors floral and spicy accords; extends the life of lighter notes.
• Blends: Popular in meditative perfumes, incense-like compositions and niche fragrances.
• Combinations:
  • With vetiver and patchouli for earthy depth.
  • With myrrh, cistus or labdanum for mystical amber accords.
  • With rose or ylang-ylang to create a floral accord.
  • Is used to anchor floral and spicy accords.
  • Fixation: Sesquiterpenes provide long persistence and anchor lighter notes.

 

• Dosage: Trace to about 0.5% in concentrate; higher doses can quickly become too heavy and medicinal.

 

Main components

The main constituents of blue spikenard essential oil are sesquiterpenes and their derivatives, including jatamansone (nardone), valeranone, nardol, and various other oxygenated sesquiterpenes:

• Sesquiterpenes (main mass):
  • Jatamansone (nardone) – ketone, responsible for its earthy, balsamic depth.
  • Valeranone – related to valerian, gives a spicy-earthy tone.
  • Nardol – alcohol, contributes to the woody and balsamic nuance.
  • Patchoulol-like sesquiterpenes – enhance its fixing, earthy properties.
• Other connections:
  • Traces of valeric acids and related oxygenated molecules.
  • Small amounts of monoterpenes (more present in green nardus, less in blue).