Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis)

Medicinal Profile of

Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis)

Valerian root is one of the most well-known calming nervines in Western herbalism. Traditionally used for insomnia, nervous tension, and spasm, it works by enhancing GABA activity in the nervous system, promoting rest and relaxation. Unlike passionflower, valerian has a heavier, more sedating quality that can feel grounding for some, but too dulling or “foggy” for others. It is best suited for tension, restlessness, or agitation patterns with nervous excitation. Long-term daily use is generally avoided; it’s most effective when used situationally or for short stretches (days to weeks) to reset sleep or calm acute nervous overactivity.

• Taste

  👉 Tastes describe the initial impression a food or herb leaves on the tongue, and they reveal its deeper actions in the body, shaping digestion, circulation, and tissue response.

  Bitter – Stimulates digestion and mildly detoxifying.

  Aromatic/Pungent – Circulating, disperses nervous stagnation, and uplifts.

  Sweet (earthy undertone) – Provides grounding, stabilizing balance.

• Qualities

  👉Qualities describe the felt nature of a substance or practice, and how it acts in the body beyond nutrients or chemistry.

  Relaxing – Releases nervous and muscular tension.

  Grounding – Brings heaviness and stability, easing overactive states.

  Stabilizing – Calms overactivity in tissues and nerves.

  Sedating – Induces rest and sleep, reducing wakefulness.

• Practical Methods

  Short-term sleep aid: Taken 30–60 minutes before bed.

  Acute tension/spasm: Used situationally for muscle cramps, GI spasm, or acute anxiety.

  Combination formulas: Blends well with passionflower, skullcap, or hops for anxiety/insomnia, and with cramp bark for spasm.

Indicated Patterns by Affinity

👉 Indicated patterns describe the functional state of the body and its organs and/or tissues, showing whether they are dry, atrophied, too damp (pressure), stagnant, lax, inflammed, sluggish, tense or underactive. The Primary Indicated Pattern is the main state where this remedy works best. Secondary Indicated Pattern(s) are the patterns that often develop over time when the primary state is left unaddressed. The primary pattern must be supported first, as this allows the secondary patterns to naturally ease or resolve.

👉Affinities are the organ systems and tissues where the remedy acts most strongly.

• Nervous System (Affinity)

  Excitation (Primary Indicated Pattern) – When nervous activity is overstimulated, leading to agitation, restlessness, or insomnia.
  Examples:

  Sleeplessness with racing thoughts.

  Agitated nerves after stress.

  Restless irritability from overactivity.

  Dysregulation (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When the nervous system flips between agitation and fatigue.
  Examples:

  Alternating anxiety and exhaustion.

  Restless sleep followed by daytime fatigue.

  Unstable nervous tone with swings.

  Tension (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When nervous tension creates constriction and rigidity.
  Examples:

  Jitteriness with muscular tightness.

  Nervous strain manifesting in tight shoulders.

  Restlessness with clenched muscles.

• Cardiovascular System (Affinity)

  Excitation (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When nervous overdrive increases cardiovascular strain.
  Examples:

  Palpitations from agitation.

  Rapid heart rate linked to anxiety.

  Stress-induced high blood pressure.

  Constriction (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When vascular tension creates restricted flow.
  Examples:

  Tight chest circulation from nervous tension.

  Cold extremities during stress.

  Head pressure from vascular tightening.

• Musculoskeletal System (Affinity)

  Spasmodic (Primary Indicated Pattern) – When muscles contract erratically or painfully due to nervous overactivity.
  Examples:

  Muscle cramps from tension.

  Restless leg syndrome.

  Spastic twitches from stress.

  Tension (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When muscles remain tight and inflexible under nervous or circulatory strain.
  Examples:

  Tight shoulders and neck.

  Jaw clenching with stress.

  General muscular rigidity.

• Medicinal Actions

  👉 Medicinal actions describe the specific ways a food influences organ systems and body functions.

  Nervous System

  Nervine Relaxant – Calms the nervous system, eases overstimulation.

  Sedative – Induces sleep and rest, especially in excitation.

  Anxiolytic – Reduces nervous anxiety and restlessness.

  Analgesic (mild) – Eases headache or tension-related pain.

  Musculoskeletal System

  Antispasmodic – Relieves muscle spasms or cramping.

  Muscle Relaxant – Loosens tightness in skeletal and smooth muscle.

  Digestive System

  Carminative (mild) – Relieves gas and tension in the gut.

  Circulatory System

  Antispasmodic – relaxes smooth muscle of blood vessels, which may reduce tension-driven vascular constriction

  Mild vasodilator – contributes to calming effects via modest widening of blood vessels

  Cardiac Sedative (mild) – may calm palpitations linked to emotional distress or overactive sympathetic tone

• Chemical Constituents

  👉 Constituents are the natural compounds in a food that give rise to its actions in the body.

  • Valerenic acids – Modulate GABA activity, sedative effects.

  • Iridoids (valepotriates) – Nervous system relaxants, though unstable in storage.

  • Volatile oils – Aromatic compounds contributing to spasm relief and nervine action.

• Medicinal Strength Level

  Tea/Decoction: 2nd Degree – gentle, mild for tension and restlessness.

  Powder/Capsules: 2nd–3rd Degree – stronger, better for acute insomnia.

  Glycerite Extract (1:5): 3rd Degree – concentrated, sedative, best for short-term use.

• Herbal Drug Interactions

  May enhance sedative effects of alcohol, antihistamines, or sleep medications.

  Avoid combining with barbiturates or benzodiazepines unless supervised.

• Safety and Contraindications

  Generally safe in short-term use.

  May Cause Paradoxical Reaction in Sensitive Nervous Systems - Some people (especially children, teens, and sensitive types) experience the opposite of sedation → restlessness, irritability, or headache intensification. This paradoxical response usually shows up in hyporesponsive terrains, where valerian over-suppresses what little spark the nervous system has, and the body compensates with rebound stimulation.

  Weak or low blood pressure states (especially in depleted, hypometabolic types) — valerian can exaggerate symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or sluggishness

  Not advised in pregnancy or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data).

  Avoid long-term daily use in hypofunctional, depressed, or depleted states, as it may worsen sluggishness.

• References

  Traditional Sources

  Culpeper, N. (1653). The Complete Herbal. (Describes valerian for nervous complaints, restlessness, and pain).

  Grieve, M. (1931). A Modern Herbal. London: Jonathan Cape. (Notes valerian’s use as a sedative, antispasmodic, and pain remedy).

  Modern Sources

  European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2016). Assessment Report on Valeriana officinalis L., radix. EMA/HMPC/150848/2015.

  American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP). (2013). Valerian Root: Standards of Analysis, Quality Control, and Therapeutics. Scotts Valley, CA.

  Bent, S., et al. (2006). “Valerian for sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” American Journal of Medicine, 119(12), 1005–1012.

  Fernandez-San-Martin, M. I., et al. (2010). “Effectiveness of Valerian on insomnia: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.” Sleep Medicine, 11(6), 505–511.

  Müller, S. F., & Klement, S. (2006). “A combination of valerian and hops for insomnia: A systematic review.” Sleep Medicine, 7(3), 139–146.