Valerian Essential Oil: A Remedy for Rest and Renewal

Valerian root has a long history as a natural remedy for sleep and calm, and its essential oil is no different. Steam distilled from the roots of Valeriana officinalis, valerian essential oil carries an earthy, grounding aroma and a reputation as a powerful aid for relaxation. While the scent is not always considered pleasant, (I sometimes think it smells like smelly feet) the therapeutic benefits make it worth exploring, especially when blended with other oils.

This blog post is all about valerian essential oil and what makes it so unique, its therapeutic benefits, and how you can use it safely and effectively.

What Is Valerian Essential Oil?

Valerian essential oil is extracted through steam distillation of the roots of the valerian plant, a perennial with small pinkish-white flowers. It belongs to the Valerianaceae family and is mainly grown in regions such as India and Nepal.

The oil is rich in sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenols, though its exact chemical composition can vary depending on where it is grown. European valerian often contains compounds like valerianol, bornyl acetate, and camphene, while Indian valerian may show more patchouli alcohol and delta-guaiene. This variation highlights the importance of chemical testing in the essential oil industry.

Therapeutic Benefits

Valerian essential oil is best known for its sedative and calming effects, but its potential goes much deeper. Here are some of its main therapeutic properties:

Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial – Supports the body’s natural defenses.
Cooling and tonic – Brings balance to overheated or overstimulated systems.
Anxiolytic and sedative – Helps reduce nervous tension and promotes sleep.

Because of its strong grounding energy, valerian essential oil is often described as both a physical and emotional stabilizer.

Spiritual Applications

Root oils like valerian are closely tied to themes of grounding, survival, and resilience. The deep, earthy nature of valerian essential oil can help foster a sense of stability, inner peace, and calm during times of stress.

Some ways it may be used in spiritual or emotional practices include:

Encouraging calm for emotional wounds.
Supporting meditation or deep relaxation.
Balancing the root chakra.
Blending with heart-centered oils (like rose or yarrow) to ease feelings of grief or heartache.

Physical Applications

Valerian essential oil also has many potential uses for the body:

Muscles and joints – Its cooling quality may help ease hot, inflamed joints.
Digestive ease – May calm nervous digestion linked to stress.
Nervous system – Commonly used for insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety.
Headaches and exhaustion – May reduce migraines and soothe deep fatigue.

While studies are limited, valerian remains a powerful option for people struggling with sleep and stress-related issues.

How to Use Valerian Essential Oil

Because of its strong aroma, valerian essential oil is rarely used on its own. It blends well with other oils, which can soften the scent and create more pleasing aromatherapy experiences. Here are some practical ways to use it:

Diffuser blends – Add just one drop of valerian with calming oils like lavender, frankincense, patchouli, or cedarwood to create a grounding bedtime blend. It’s better to create a stock blend first before using valerian directly in your diffuser, due to the potential difficulty in overcoming the scent at a later time.
Topical application – Dilute at very low concentrations (less than 1%) in a carrier oil for massage or to apply a blend to your feet before bed.

If you’re wondering how to use valerian essential oil safely, always remember to dilute properly and use it sparingly. Its strong, earthy scent means that even a little goes a long, long way.

Safety and Sustainability

Valerian essential oil is generally safe when used in low dilutions. Because it has such a powerful aroma and effect, more is not better. Start with small amounts and blend with other oils to make it more enjoyable.

There has been some concern about sustainability and overharvesting of valerian root. While Tisserand and Young note that it has been protected from overcultivation in some areas, the IUCN Red List currently marks valerian as a safe species. Still, sourcing from responsible suppliers is always recommended to ensure long-term availability.

Final Thoughts

Valerian essential oil may not be the most pleasant smelling oil in your collection, but its therapeutic power is undeniable. From calming the nervous system to encouraging inner peace, it offers support for both body and spirit. Whether you’re looking to ease restless nights, soothe nervous digestion, or deepen meditation, valerian provides a strong, rooted presence.

If you’ve avoided valerian in the past because of its scent, consider giving it another try in small amounts, but this time blended with complementary oils. Sometimes, the most unusual aromas are the ones that bring the deepest healing.