Benefits of Valerian Root Essential Oil – Nutritional Value, Side Effects

Valerian essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy to help provide calming and restorative effects due to the high amounts of sesquiterpenes in the oil. Valerian is a small flowering plant originally native to Europe and Asia. The root of the plant has been used for thousands of years for its calming, grounding, and emotionally stabilizing effects. Properties to Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Anti-epileptic, Carminative, Nervine, Sedative, Stimulant Perfumery Note, Base Blends with Cedarwood, Lavender, Mandarin, Patchouli, Rosemary, Scotch Pine due to these properties, Valerian essential oil can be used to assist with restlessness, sleeplessness, trauma, or emergency situations.

Specific Benefits of Valerian Root Essential Oil as follows Sleep aid, Valerian essential oil is commonly used as an alternative to prescription drugs for treating insomnia and sleeplessness because of its safe, gentle, and effective benefits for the body. Antidepressant and anxiolytic recent studies have proven valerian essential oil to be an effective antidepressant. The oil also soothes the nervous system, allowing for a deep release of tension and anxiety and the ability to attain meditative states. Valerian has also been used by German physicians to help with hyperactivity in children, due to the oil’s attention-enhancing benefits. In the physical body, valerian essential is used to help the body release toxins from the nerves, joints, blood, and colon.

Valerian is a perennial herb with short rhizomes, aromatic feathery leaves, and clusters of small pink or white flowers that bloom from June through to September. The plant is native to parts of Europe and Asia, although it is now also grown in the United States. The name Valerian is supposed to have originated from either the Latin “valere” which means, “to be in health” or from the Roman emperor, Valerianus. “Officinalis” indicates that this was an official herb of the apothecaries & used for medicine.  The ancient Greeks referred to it as Phu.

Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times. Both Hippocrates and Galen suggested Valerian as a remedy for insomnia and it has been used for similar purposes in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Valerian was also used in many traditional love potions and aphrodisiacs.

Valerian Essential oil Facts

The name Valerian is thought to have originated from either the Latin “valere” which means, “to be in health” or from the Roman emperor, Valerianus. “Officinalis” indicates that’s that this was an official herb of the apothecaries & used for medicine.  The ancient Greeks referred to it as “Phu”. However, there are substances available in this Valeriana Officinalis which make it suitable as traditional medicine. There are flavonols, terpenes, alkaloids, acids, and other useful substances in the extraction of Valeriana officials, as it is known as Valerian essential oil, now. It is a natural sedative and a calming plant, valerian can help with many stress-related ailments. Anxiety and heart palpitations, depressions, and insomnia are just a few of the things this plant can help with. Its extract, the Valerian essential oil is widely used to improve and prevent anxiety attacks, stress, and the lack of sleep.

Valerian essential oil is steam distilled from the plant’s rhizomes (roots). The oil obtained is a pale yellow to green-yellow medium-thick oil with a warm, woody, balsamic, musky, astringent scent. It blends well with Cedarwood, Lavender, Mandarin, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Pine, Rosemary Copaiba Balsam, Tangerine, Spikenard and Yarrow. The essential oil consists of a good amount of flavonols, terpenes, alkaloids, acids, and other useful substances which is quite beneficial for dealing with many stress-related ailments. Anxiety and heart palpitations, depressions, and insomnia are just a few of the things this plant can help with. Its extract, the Valerian essential oil is widely used to improve and prevent anxiety attacks, stress, and the lack of sleep as well.

Health benefits of Valerian Essential oil

Valerian is a traditional, natural herb native to Europe and Asia (also known as Valeriana Officinalis) has been used in wellness practices for centuries dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome. It features beautiful pink and white flowers that are attractive and sweetly scented. It’s hard to reap the benefits of Valerian Root through raw, whole foods. However, there are many other ways to receive the benefits through alternative sources. Some of the most popular supplement forms include Tea Bags, Capsules, Pills, Bulk Powder, Tablets, Essential Oil, Gummies, and more!

1. Treats Insomnia

Valerian essential oil is effective in treating sleep disorders like insomnia. It contains some active compounds that help improve sound sleep. Being able to stimulate thorough and sound sleep, valerian essential oil is helpful in curing insomnia effectively.(1)

2. Helps Cure Anxiety and Depression

Valerian is well known for treating anxiety and depression naturally. Valerian essential oil also works best when it comes to treating anxiety as it helps calm down stressful minds. It improves mood and reduces stress while maintaining a peaceful state of mind. Valerian essential oil consists of components that help improve sleep that further helps keep the mind calm relieving unnecessary stress.(2)

3. Prevents Heart Palpitations

When it comes to cardiovascular health, valerian essential oil helps a lot. It contains volatile compounds that help in lowering the risk of heart palpitations. These components found in this essential oil react with acids in the heart and encourage a balanced metabolic rate that helps relax the cardiovascular system significantly.(3)

4. Regulates Blood Pressure

This essential oil also helps regulate blood pressure. High blood pressure or hypertension generally leads to an increased risk of heart strokes and problems. Active components present in valerian essential oil that helps reduce anxiety also work quite well when it comes to lower down high blood pressure.(4)

5. Improves Cognitive Abilities

Valerian essential oil is also beneficial in improving one’s cognitive abilities. It acts as a natural brain booster and encourages certain parts of the brain while increasing blood circulation effectively. Hence, it reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and other related cognitive problems.(5)

6. Relieves Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps are not only much painful but discomforting too. As it possesses sedative properties, valerian essential oil acts as an effective relaxant. It helps relax the body and mind as well as reduces pain and discomfort caused due to menstrual cramps. Besides, valerian essential oil is also effective in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) significantly.(6)

7. Treats Stomach Problems

Stomach problems can be treated in an aromatic way with the help of valerian essential oil. This natural healer helps ease out the upset stomach and improve healthy bowel movement. It further helps in treating various gastrointestinal problems and boosting detoxification too.(7)

8. Anti-Dandruff Treatment

This essential oil can be utilized as a part of a hostile to dandruff treatment or for dry flaky skin when added to a skin cream or chemical. It has antibacterial properties and can be useful for wounds, open injuries, stings, and chomps.

9. Neurologic

It is a well-known fact that numerous herbalists and physicians use preparations containing Valerian essential oil in the treatment of many psychosomatic problems, peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous system conditions. The attention-enhancing property of this herb has made some German physicians use Valerian root to treat ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

10. Anti-microbial properties

Valerian essential oil possesses anti-microbial properties that make it helpful in treating open wounds, bruises, and sores effectively. Being loaded with microbial properties, valerian essential oil helps in killing and inhibiting the growth of microbes.

11. Treats Migraine

Migraine and headaches can be cured with the proper application of valerian essential oil. It helps ease out the pain caused due to migraine. For this reason, it has been widely used as a natural treatment for headaches and migraine.

12. Prevents Wrinkles

Valerian essential oil contains anti-oxidants and volatile oils that help keep skin nourished properly. Due to the presence of these anti-oxidant properties, this essential oil is effective in preventing the formation of wrinkles.

13. Relieves Joint Pain

Valerian is also known for relieving pain caused due to rheumatism and gout. The topical application of valerian essential oil is much helpful in treating joint pain.

14. Improves Digestion

Valerian essential oil is helpful in improving the digestive system. It promotes proper nutrient absorption of the gastrointestinal tract that helps improve digestion.

15. Moisturizes Dry and Scaly Skin

When it comes to treating dry and scaly skin, valerian essential oil is helpful in reducing dryness of skin effectively. Protective oils present in this essential oil moisturize dry skin deeply and thus help combat the problem of scaly skin.

16. Treats Eczema

Valerian essential oil also works well for eczema as it helps soothe irritating and itchy skin conditions. As it reduces excessive skin dryness, valerian essential oil is effective in treating eczema, ulcers, psoriasis, and other skin disorders.

17. Improves Cognitive Abilities

Although many essential oils claim to positively affect cognitive ability, valerian root has been heralded as a brain booster for hundreds of years. It stimulates different areas of the brain and increases circulation, stimulating pathways that keep our brains fresh and active. Students and elderly people consume valerian roots all over the world for increasing their academic performance, as well as to protect their memory and delay any cognitive disorders, like dementia. ^[9]

18. Reduces muscle Cramps

The relaxing nature of valerian essential oil has made it a popular part of pregnancy and menstrual therapy for many years. It can reduce the severity and discomfort of menstrual cramps, which is a welcome relief to many women who suffer through menstruation cramps, as well as discomfort and pain during pregnancy. ^[10]

19. Improves Stomach Health

When you have an upset stomach, many people turn to pharmaceutical solutions, but natural solutions are often best for gastrointestinal problems. Valerian essential oil can quickly ease upset stomachs and induce healthy bowel movements and urination. This can help to detoxify the body and improve the nutrient absorption of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby improving health in numerous ways. ^[5]

20. Prevents Heart Palpitations

Valerian Essential oil has been directly linked to a lower occurrence of heart palpitations in certain study subjects. The volatile compounds in this essential oil interact with the acids and oils in your heart to stimulate a more normal metabolic rate and calm down the erratic behavior of your cardiovascular system. ^[6]

21. Muscle Relaxant

Naturally sedative and antispasmodic, Valerian root acts as a powerful muscle relaxant and can be especially helpful in easing menstrual cramps. It can effectively calm the severe uterine muscle contractions experienced by some women during menstruation. This was validated by a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study from the Islamic Azad University in Iran.

Amazing Uses and Benefits of Valerian Root Essential Oil

Ayurvedic health benefits

Valerian is called Tagara in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, where essential oil extracted from the root is used to treat a wide range of conditions. Some of its more common applications are curing skin problems, insomnia, and multiple nervous disorders. Valerian essential oil in Ayurveda helps treat obesity, skin disorders, insomnia, and nervous conditions. It was also considered an effective antidote against snake poison.

May Promote Faster Healing Processes

Valerian essential oil has antiseptic properties which enable wounds, cuts, and burns to heal faster. It may also use its anti-bacterial property to promote quick recovery and it can also prevent infections or germs from penetrating into open wounds. Valerian essential oil also helps to modestly relieve any pain and can be safely applied in combination with other ointments used to clean wounds and cuts by killing off bacteria that may inhibit the healing process.

Sleeplessness

Several essential oil suppliers vouch for Valerian root essential oil’s sedative properties, which makes it an effective medication in treating insomnia. It is particularly favored because of the safe and gentle effects that make it the preferred alternative to prescription drugs to treat sleep disorders. Studies indicate that Valerian helps a patient sleep quicker and offers a more restful sleep without mental disruptions. In addition, it has fewer side effects than many prescription and over-the-counter sleeping medications. There are multiple ways of using this essential oil. For example, it can be mixed with a carrier agent like relaxing coconut oil and massage oil. A few drops are added to bathwater that can provide a soothing effect, or it can be burned in an aroma lamp to give a calming fragrance, which lulls a patient to sleep.

Depression and other psycho-spiritual problems

Scientists believe that Valerian enhances the quantity of GABA in the brain essential to promote a soothing effect on the nerve cells and curb anxiety. Valerian has a distinctive aroma, suppresses tension and trauma, restlessness, mental strain, depression, and emotional stress. It is also effective as a treatment for neuralgia, seizures, and anxiety. It is believed to work by eliminating toxins from the central nervous system.

Skin Disorders

Valerian essential oil has antibacterial properties, making it a helpful medication for cuts, wounds, sores, burns and bruises, eczema and psoriasis, acne, boils, stings, insect bites, and scars, amongst other skin conditions. It is best used as an external application of a mixture of a few drops of valerian essential oil blended with a carrier oil or skin cream. This is also an effective remedy in treating dry, scaly skin. Natural skincare ingredients suppliers can provide you with a ready-mix that’s available with them.

Promotes Restful Sleep

When sleep is promoted, brain functions are improved, leaving the mind sharp and improving concentration levels subsequently. Valerian essential oil has some important ingredients which make it suitable for patients suffering from insomnia as it may have a sedative effect and promote sleep by reducing hyperactivity of the nervous system, providing a calm sensation necessary for sleep. For better results, this essential oil may be added to a diffuser or even taken orally if a stronger boost is needed.

Stomach Issues

Valerian essential oil provides swift relief to gastrointestinal problems and other stomach issues, including an upset stomach. It encourages healthy bowel movements and aids urination. In addition, it helps detoxify the body by enhancing nutrient absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. You can get this oil from leading essential oil suppliers to beat stomach ailments.

Neurologic

Physicians and herbalists extensively use Valerian essential oil to treat psychosomatic problems and central and autonomic nervous systems issues. This oil has properties, which have been leveraged with considerable success in treating ADHD in children.

Other health benefits

Valerian has various other health benefits and is used as a successful controller of pain, including pain resulting from migraine, gout, rheumatism, and arthritis. In addition, its antispasmodic properties are beneficial in the treatment of muscular spasms.

The abovementioned facts are some of the benefits of valerian essential oil but are in no way exhaustive. Valerian essential oil is approved and considered safe by the FDA. It is also recognized and approved as a mild sedative by Germany’s Commission E. This product is readily available with many pure essential oils wholesalers. Powdered Valerian is sold in capsule and tablet form and also as tea.

Help Relieve Symptoms Of Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a leg disorder that prevents the leg from performing normally and may lead to decreased quality of life. It creates unbearable pain in the leg and does not allow the muscles and joints to move freely, occurring frequently alongside rheumatism and gout. It may even affect the arms due to lack of sleep, as such people with RLS and joint pain may have low energy, irritability, and a depressed mood. However, regular application of valerian essential oil in little amounts may be helpful in treating joint pain and RLS in a short period of time.

May Reduce Mental Stress and Depression

Mental stress may be caused by a number of factors, including premenstrual syndrome, which by itself may trigger other health complications like lethargy and depression. Valerian essential oil is an important medicinal herb that may be capable of maintaining mental fortitude and controlling mild symptoms of mental stress and those associated with premenstrual syndrome. It may also improve sleep and the overall restorative quality of rest, which is essential in keeping the brain and its chemicals balanced.

May Improve Digestive Function

The main functions of the digestive system are the breakdown of food and the transportation of by-products of digestion to the nearest exit. However, these processes may become slow due to a number of factors over time. Valerian essential oil contains different types of compounds which can enhance the quick and efficient digestion of food. As much as it helps in the digestion of food, it also helps the digestive system to pass out undigested solid waste substances, so the body will maintain health and get rid of waste in a timely manner.  Most of these compounds exert some function on improving the speed or efficiency by which digestive processes are carried out, ensuring nutritional absorption is enhanced.

May Help Reduce Appearance Of Wrinkle

Skin wrinkling may be a result of continuous exposure to ultraviolet rays or from natural causes like aging. Valerian essential oil contains ingredients with antioxidant properties which help in skin maintenance and may help to remove spots. In addition, regular application of the oil can help to significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles from the skin. Valerian essential oil also helps to assist with quick recovery from skin cuts, wounds, burns, and even skin infections thereby adding years of beauty to the skin.

May Help Moisturize The Skin

Valerian essential oil may be regarded as one of the best essential oils used in skin care products since it helps to keep the skin cool, fresh, and moisturized all day. Another important use of the Valerian essential oil that is associated with regular use is that it may be effective in preventing the skin from developing open sores as a result of preventing cracks from forming on the skin. Moisturizing is an important part of a skincare regimen that does much more than keep the skin looking good, as well-hydrated skin is less likely to lose excess moisture, and helps in the management of more serious skin conditions as will be seen shortly.

May Help Treat Eczema

Dermatitis is sometimes also referred to as eczema, a disease that may cause redness or inflammation of the skin. Valerian essential oil can be a good cure for eczema as it is able to combat skin dryness which may result in itching, changes in skin color, development of a bumpy rash, and skin plaques (accumulation of multiple layers of skin). It may completely cure skin ulcerations, psoriasis, and other skin diseases since it contains antibacterial agents that prevent the destructive activities of bacteria on the skin.

May Help Improve Bone Health

The root of the valerian plant from which the essential oil is derived contains compounds that may be able to reinforce the structural integrity of bone, being able to reduce the likelihood of developing bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Valerian can also soothe painful nerve pain localized in muscle or intractable bone pain.

Traditional uses and benefits of Valerian essential oil Typical Use

• Valerian Tincture – 2-4mls up to 3 times per day. or before bed, or as recommended by a herbal practitioner.
• Valerian Root Tea – 1-2 tsp of cut herb root to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes then enjoys before bedtime.
• Valerian Essential Oil – Valerian essential oil can be used in the bath, or vaporized in an oil burner. It can be added to massage oil or cream. Use 6-8 drops per bath and 10 -18 drops per 30ml of carrier oil.
• Valerian is mostly valued for its relaxing action on the nervous system.
• It is the perfect oil to treat ‘the jitters’ and is highly effective for hysteria, panic, anxiety, and even shock, as well as insomnia, tension, restlessness, and nervous exhaustion.
• It is effective in aphrodisiac blends for people who suffer frigidity or impotence caused by fear and inhibition.
• Adding 2 to 3 drops of Valerian oil to your bathtub can help you fight against most of your painful conditions effectively.
• Valerian root essential oil also aids in treating migraine pains, gout pains, rheumatism, and headaches due to cold.
• A few drops of Valerian essential oil added to your skin cream can help in treating dry scaly skin.
• Valerian root essential oil is a valuable remedy for treating disorders like facial palsy, flatulence, and paralysis.

Dosing when Taken By Mouth

When taken by mouth: Valerian is likely safe when used short-term. Valerian has been used safely in doses of 300-600 mg daily for up to 6 weeks. The safety of long-term use is unknown.

Other Facts

• At one time it was also believed that Valerian if worn, was a protective amulet against evil.
• It was added to love sachets, and supposed to cause men to follow a woman around who had a spray of valerian attached to her clothing.
• Valerian was of course also capable of warding off witches and undoing their evil works.
• It is an herb of peace, if two people drink valerian-infused wine from the same cup they will immediately stop arguing and fighting.
• Valerian root essential oil can be used by burning it in an aroma lamp before going to bed.

Precautions

• Large doses may result in stomachache, laziness, and a feeling of mental dullness or mild depression.
• Because of the herb’s tranquilizer properties, it may cause dizziness or drowsiness, effects that should be considered before driving or operating heavy or hazardous equipment.
• In rare cases, valerian may cause an allergic reaction, normally as a skin rash, hives, or difficulty breathing.
• They should not be used with other depressants, such as ethanol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opiates, kava, or antihistamine drugs.
• If you are pregnant or lactating make sure you have the doctor’s approval before using it.
• Keep away from babies and young children.
• If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body.
• Make sure you don’t operate any vehicles while using valerian.
• Do not take this oil with other sleeping treatments.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if valerian is safe to use when pregnant or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Valerian is possibly safe for children when taken by mouth appropriately for 4-8 weeks.

Surgery: Valerian slows down the central nervous system. Anesthesia and other medications used during surgery also affect the central nervous system. The combined effects might be harmful. Stop taking valerian at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

References

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