Also called nard, Nardin, and muskroot. Can be crushed and distilled into an intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil,which is very thick in consistency. Nard oil is used as a perfume, an incense, a sedative, and as herbal medicine said to fightinsomnia, birth difficulties, and other minor ailments.

The oil was known in ancient times and was part of the Ayurvedic herbal tradition of India. It was obtained as a luxury in ancient Egypt, the Near East, and Rome, where it was the main ingredient of the perfume nardinum. Nard is mentioned a number of times in the Old Testament. It was used as one of the Eleven Herbs for the Incense in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. And it is mentioned in the biblical love poem, the Song of Solomon(1:12&4:13).

In the New Testament (John 12:1-10): six days before the Passover Jesus arrives in Bethany. In Bethany,
Mary, sister of Lazarus uses a pound of pure nard to anoint Jesus's feet. Preparing him for his death, has he said to the
criticizers of the event.