Valerian oil is good for nervousness, headaches & more

What is valerian root oil?

Valerian root oil is derived from the roots of the striking Valeriana officinalis.Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), a member of the Valerianaceae family, is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia and naturalized in North America.Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Its therapeutic uses were described by Hippocrates, and in the 2nd century, Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia. In the 16th century, it was used to treat nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations . In the mid-19th century, valerian was considered a stimulant that caused some of the same complaints it is thought to treat and was generally held in low esteem as a medicinal herb. During World War II, it was used in England to relieve the stress of air raids.

Effects of valerian essential oil

In addition to sleep disorders, valerian has been used for gastrointestinal spasms and distress, epileptic seizures, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Valerian oil is extracted using steam distillation from roots of the striking Valeriana officinalis.The pulverized roots and rhizomes are placed in a chamber with pressurized steam. The steam releases the aroma compounds trapped inside of the plant material, and allows them to evaporate with the steam. The steam is condensed to water as it passes through a cooling chamber. The valerian root oil floats to the top of the chamber and is separated from the water. The resulting oil is a deep olive green or brownish color. Valerian root oil is rich compounds such as alpha pinene, camphene, and isovaleric acid.

Valerian root oil smells woody, balsamic, and slightly green. It is valued for its unique aroma, which blends well with patchouli, oakmoss, and costus to create musky chypre formulations. Perfumers also pair the oil with citrus and aromatics like lavender and cedarwood, for more herbal scents.

In commercial flavoring, valerian root oil is used in the production of various flavors. It is used to create tobacco, root beer, and fruit flavorings. Sometimes, the oil is even combined with hops to flavor beer.

In aromatherapy, valerian root oil is best known as a powerful sleep aid. It is also thought to help quell anxiety and soothe cramping.