Spikenard (in English nard and muskroot, in sanskrit - Bhutajata, Hindi - Bal-chad) is a flowering plant of the Valerian family that grows in the Himalayas of China, India and Nepal. The plant grows to about 1 m in height and has pink, bell-shaped flowers. Spikenard rhizomes (underground stems) can be crushed and distilled into an intensely aromatic, amber-colored essential oil, very thick in consistency.