Valerian Root Organic

Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis)

Valerian is a study in contrasts. Its flowers are delicate and sweetly fragrant, rising up to two meters tall in meadows and woodland edges across Europe and Asia. Its roots, on the other hand, are famously pungent — earthy, sharp, and unmistakable. It is an aroma that divides people, yet has done nothing to diminish valerian's extraordinary reputation across millennia. Since the time of ancient Greece and throughout centuries of European folk tradition, this remarkable root has been trusted for its gentle, calming qualities.

A hardy perennial now naturalized across much of North America, valerian thrives in moist, temperate climates and produces soft clusters of white to pale pink blossoms each summer. Beneath the soil, a vertical rhizome sends out an abundance of smaller rootlets — the treasured part of the plant — which are carefully harvested and dried at low temperatures to preserve their integrity.

The scent of valerian root has inspired more than a few legends. Cats are drawn to it much as they are to catnip, known to bite the root and roll against it with great enthusiasm. Rats, too, find it irresistible — and according to folklore, it was valerian, not a magical flute, that the Pied Piper of Hamelin used to lure the rats out of town.

Our valerian root is well suited for herbal tea blends, tinctures, and calming herbal formulations. It pairs beautifully with herbs like passionflower, lemon balm, and chamomile for a deeply soothing blend.

Precautions: Caution is advised for those using barbiturates, benzodiazepines, or other sedative medications, as valerian may enhance their effects. As with all herbal products, we recommend consulting a qualified healthcare practitioner before use, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications.