“There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.” Homer, The Odyssey
Unfortunately, sometimes brains don’t know where to draw the line. But valerian can help them to find it.
The root of this highly helpful plant has a long history of use, unwinding a languorous path to relaxation dating back to ancient Greece and Rome.
Valerian essential oil is steam distilled from the root of a flowering perennial called Valeriana officinalis, specifically from the Belgium and Croatia regions. It’s a member of the Valerianaceae botanical family which has been absorbed into the Caprifoliaceae family – aka the honeysuckle family.
I just read that the foliage of many plants in this family has a ‘strong, disagreeable odor’. Ouch! Valerian essential oil comes from the root, not the foliage, but that said, some liken its fragrance to some very unflattering things. Keep an open mind, however, as its benefits for relaxation are enormous and extremely kind to you if you’re finding it hard to unwind before your head hits the pillow. Personally, I don’t mind it at all – it’s strong, yes, but the distinctive earthiness feels good for me.
All essential oils are made up of a complex array of constituents – all naturally occurring. If the quality is exceptional (as is the case with Young Living), these are captured in their optimal percentages so you can enjoy their beneficial properties.
These constituents have category names such as alcohols, alkanes, phenols, terpenes (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, di-, tri- and tetraterpenes), esters and esthers, aldehydes and more. Each of these has its own particular traits and it’s the combination of these traits that gives every essential oil the abilities its known for.
Valerian is high in the ester bornyl acetate at 35 to 43%*. Esters usually have sweet and strong aromas. Soothing and balancing, esters help release blockages. In the case of valerian, based on the varying opinions on the appeal of its smell, you could count on strong rather than sweet! Along with valerian, you’ll find bornyl acetate in pine, spruce, juniper and fir, for instance.
Making up 22 to 31% of valerian is camphene. This monoterpene is just one of the thousand or so monoterpenes found in essential oils and these common types help the other constituents to do their jobs. Other monoterpenes include a-pinene, d-limonene and myrcene.
Valerian’s laid-back, relaxing nature, however, comes from its sesquiterpenes, specifically valerone and valerenic acid. Valerian also has the ability to help release the negative feelings that can often cause troubled sleep patterns, and in doing so, can facilitate the pushing up of Zzzzzs.
Valerian is also beneficial for nurturing smooth skin. As discussed, its scent can be an acquired taste but definitely one worth getting used to. If you’re adding a few drops of valerian to your moisturiser or serum to help plump up their replenishing attributes, go easy until you’re used to this very distinctive smell.
When you’re studying or doing Sudoku, practising a new language or instrument or generally putting your brain through some hoops and gym work, valerian is a lovely accompaniment, helping to keep you in a relaxed state that’s conducive to absorbing and learning what you’re working on.
Blending valerian with a great quality carrier oil like Young Living V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Complex makes for an enjoyable and earthy-scented rub-down before and after exercise to help your muscles feel at ease.
Valerian can be diffused and applied topically, diluted as needed for particularly sensitive skin.
Along with being available as a single essential oil, valerian is a key ingredient in Young Living’s Trauma Life™ and RutaVaLa™ essential oil blends.
Trauma Life™ combines valerian with sandalwood, helichrysum, rose and other potent oils that are known for helping to deal with taxing times, challenging emotions and restlessness. It’s beautiful diffused and applied topically (dilute as needed) behind your ears and neck and on the soles of your feet. Trauma Life™ is also a lovely complement to other oil blends that can help in times of trouble and upheaval, such as Release, SARA and Inner Child and Sacred Mountain. Try alternating or inhale Trauma Life™ first then go to the other blends 10 to 15 minutes later, giving time for Trauma Life™ to pave the way.
RutaVaLa™ harnesses the relaxing power of rue (Ruta graveolens), valerian and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) to relieve stress and soothe tension. Also available as a handy roll-on, take this one to bed as a companion to help you unwind peacefully. A word of caution: if you are planning on reading in bed, too, make it a magazine or paperback in case you wake up in the morning with it planted on your face from nodding off!
Essential oils are potent, so as always, please follow directions on the bottle and the usual guidelines for safe use of authentic essential oils.
Please ensure you are choosing a brand with complete transparency from seed to seal, such as Young Living. You can learn in this short video why we only ever recommend and choose Young Living oils and love them so much!
Enjoy the good oil daily.
The information on this site does not constitute advice. Please consult with your health practitioner. When using any of the products mentioned throughout this site, please be sure to read the labels and follow their suggestions for safe use. We make commissions from sales via many of the products we recommend but we only suggest products we genuinely enjoy and want you to benefit from. Product image used with permission © Young Living Essential Oils.
