Valerian Essential Oil

Valeriana Officinalis

Can be applied (2-4 drops) to skin on specific location of discomfort or directly inhaled through diffuser. It may also be used as a dietary supplement.

Known Uses

Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times to fight insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, tension headaches, and even panic attacks. It has a calming and balancing effect on the central nervous system, providing greater cognitive ability by stimulating different areas of the brain, increasing circulation, and energizing the pathways that keep the brain active. Valerian has been heralded as a brain booster for hundreds of years.

Valerian is best known and used to enhance sleep quality, improve mood and reduce anxiety, but it also has other important health benefits. Valerian Essential Oil can ease upset stomachs and induce healthy elimination, helping to detoxify the body and improve nutrient absorption. It can also lessen the severity of menstrual cramps, and protect the skin. Valerian Oil is able to permeate the skin with a blend of protective oils that guard against the development of wrinkles and serves as an antiviral barrier that keeps the skin healthy.

Stress hormones can be dangerous when they become chronic in the body. Valerian has the ability to calm the stress hormones, prevent heart palpitations and lower blood pressure. This capability is linked to the compounds in this oil that stimulate a more normal metabolic rate and calm down any erratic conduct of the cardiovascular system, reducing the chance of heart attacks and strokes. Valerian Essential Oil can naturally reduce these risks through internal consumption.

History

Valerian is native to parts of Europe and Asia, although it is now also grown in the United States. It was used as a medicinal herb in ancient Greece and Rome. Galen, a Roman physician and philosopher, prescribed it for insomnia.  The plant was used as a fragrance as much as 500 years ago, but its aroma is repugnant for some, like catnip. Its medicinal benefits have been well known for centuries. In fact, some people call valerian as a “heal all”.

Warnings

Generally, there are no negative side effects to consuming valerian essential oil. There are, however, a number of powerful components in valerian essential oil, so you don’t need much to achieve the desired effects. Don't take in large doses. Excessive internal consumption of valerian can result in dizziness, cramps, stomach aches, mild depression, and occasionally a skin rash or hives, although these are very rare occurrences. Use of valerian essential oil can do very little harm – but plenty of good when used properly.