Note: Base

Temperature: Cooling

Elements: Fire, Wood

Meridians: Heart, Liver

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Traditional Actions/Indications:

1. Calms the Shen, Clears Heat from the Heart and Nourishes Heart Yin
   Palpitations, especially from arrythmia or tachycardia, hypertension, angina pectoris
   Anxiety, insomnia, memory loss, stress
2. Regulates the flow of Liver Qi and Subdues Wind
   Seizures, epilepsy
   Menstrual disorders
3. Expels Cold and unblocks Stagnation (topical)
   Fungal infections, hair loss, sores and boils
   Toothache
   Foot Qi
   Haemorrhoids, varicose veins

Cautions: Exogenous conditions

Notes:

The Sepher Ha-Razim (ספר הרזים, Book of Secrets, 3-4th Century CE), an ancient book of Jewish magic, describes several rituals involving spikenard oil to aid with angelic intervention. In one example, to obtain information about the coming year:

If you wish to know and understand what will be in each and every year, take a hieratic papyrus and cut it into slips) and write in hieratic with a mixture of ink and myrrh each and every possibility separately. Then take a new flask and put in it spikenard oil and throw in the written slips (as well); then stand facing the sun when he comes forth from his bridal chamber and say:

I adjure you O sun that shines on the earthy in the name of the angels who make men of knowledge understand and comprehend wisdom and secrets that you will do what I ask and make known to me what will he in this year—do not conceal a thing from me.

And you will adjure (the sun with) this adjuration for three days, three times and the third time you will scrutinize the oil. Notice everything brought up upon the face of the oil, that is what will happen in that year. If two possibilities come up, then there will be (these) two and if three come up, there will be three. Afterwards, take the oil and burn it while saying the names of the angels that serve in this encampment. And (as for) the rest of all the written (slips), hide them in a wall or in a window. And so, (as in) every operation, act in purity, and you will succeed (trans. Morgan, 1983)."

In another, to treat the sequalae of stroke:

"If you wish to heal a man who has had a stroke and half of him is dried up, either by an (evil) spirit or by witchcraft, take spikenard oil and three measures of honey and stand facing the sun as it rises, repeating three times each day for seven days the name of the man and the name of his mother and the names of the angels who stand upon the sixth step. And on the seventh day take him and stand him naked before the sun, and smear oil all over his flesh, while burning myrrh, frankincense, and chosen spices in the sunlight. Then again write upon a silver lamella [plate or disc] (the names of) these angels of glory with these characters:



as an amulet and put it on his neck with a (cord of) asbestos and incense of spices. Write it thus on the twentieth of the month and you will succeed.

Upon the seventh step stand these:

PTHYH	RZY'L	'GRY'L	HGDY'B
'DRWN	KRQT'	QTYPWR	'BRY'L
STQY'L	CMY'L	SYKBRDWM

These are they who stand on the seventh step, girt with strength, their might like a lion. Half of them are like fire and half of them cold as water. They stand in their place (and are weakened from their fear). They are wondrous for they come great in stature with sparks of light upon their eyelids. Those who stand below are unable to look at their appearance and those, too, who stand above are frightened by their appearance; for they turn to every side and above, and they move in all four directions (trans. Morgan, 1983)."

Another incantation describes protecting a loved one from harm in battle by anointing them with spikenard oil:

"If you wish that a man going forth to war be protected from arrow, sword, or any blow, take seven leaves of a bay tree and write these names on them, two on each and every one of them, and put them in spikenard oil, and on the day he goes forth to war, let him smear (the oil) upon his flesh and upon his sword and his bow and arrows. Again write (the names of the angels) on a silver lamella [plate or disc] put them in a bronze tubular case, and let him tie it over his heart, and then no blow will touch him (trans. Morgan, 1983)."

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Reference Notes: (click to display)

These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently.