Valerian Essential Oil FAQ: Plain Answers

These are the questions people ask most about valerian essential oil, answered as plainly as we can. Where a question is really about valerian supplements, we say so, because much of what is quoted online belongs to those and not to the oil.

Valerian Root Essential Oil

Our own Valerian Root Essential Oil, in sizes from 0.5 oz to bulk.

From $31.99

Shop Now →

The oil itself

Is valerian essential oil the same as valerian tea, tincture or capsules?

No. Tea, tinctures and capsules are root preparations taken by mouth. The essential oil is the volatile part of the root, carried off by steam. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health's valerian page covers the oral products. We sell the oil only.

What is it made from?

Our oil is a steam-distilled valerian root oil, and the botanical name on our label and certificate is Valeriana officinalis. Root oil is a small fraction of the plant: in an Estonian study of five root samples the oil made up 0.28% to 1.16% of the cut root, so a kilogram of root yields something like 3 to 12 g of oil by simple arithmetic.

What is in it?

That varies with the root. In the same Estonian study bornyl acetate ran from 8.8% to 33.7% of the oil, and valerenal from a trace to 14.7%. Those are figures for those samples, not for our bottle. The Certificate of Analysis we offer covers one batch and gives density, refractive index and optical rotation: 0.947, 1.473 and -19.80 degrees at 20 C. It carries no constituent breakdown, so we do not state one.

Can I get a GC-MS report, a safety data sheet or an IFRA certificate?

If you need one, ask us in writing through the contact page before you order, and rely only on what you receive in writing.

Smell and use

How strong is it?

Very. We describe it as earthy, musky and woodland-damp with a balsamic sweet finish, a base note that perfumers use in traces. If you are unsure about the smell, buy the smallest bottle first. You can compare notes in What Does Valerian Essential Oil Smell Like?

Can I use it in a diffuser?

We suggest a whisper of valerian in an evening diffuser blend with lavender or cedarwood, and your diffuser's manual is the authority on what the machine can take. If you share the space with a cat, read the pet answer below first. See Best Diffuser for Valerian Oil.

Is a fragrance oil the same thing?

No. The FDA says fragrance ingredients can be listed simply as "fragrance" and may be natural or synthetic. A label that says only that does not tell you which you have. What the label hides goes into it.

How should I smell it the first time?

Open the bottle and hold it a hand's width away rather than putting your nose to the neck. Take one gentle sniff and close it. You will probably notice damp earth first, with the balsamic sweetness arriving later, and after a minute you can judge how much of it is still in your nose.

Where do I get a carrier oil, or a bottle to put a blend in?

We sell the valerian only. Carrier oils, empty bottles and anything else you need come from a pharmacy, grocery or craft supply shop.

Skin and safety

How much can go on skin?

Our guidance is 0.5% to 2% in a carrier oil, with a patch test first. We have not located a verified published skin maximum for valerian oil, so we do not call any percentage safe, and we begin at the low end. In 1 oz (29.57 ml) of carrier, at about 20 drops to the millilitre, 0.5% is roughly 3 drops, 1% roughly 6 and 2% roughly 12. That is arithmetic, and weighing is more accurate than counting. Where to apply it works through the maths.

Is it safe in pregnancy or around children?

We advise avoiding it in pregnancy as a precaution and keeping it away from children. The European Medicines Agency's draft monograph on the oil says safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established and that use under 12 has not been established. Ask a doctor or midwife about pregnancy and a pediatrician about children.

Can I use it with sedative medication?

We advise against combining it with sedative medication. That is a precaution, not a measured interaction; ask a pharmacist. See Valerian and Medications.

What about cats and dogs?

Cats are strongly drawn to the scent, so we keep the bottle sealed and out of reach. A 2022 study with six cats found valerian among the plants that drew a catnip-like response, and individual cats differed. That is attraction, not toxicity. Separately, the ASPCA says cats are especially sensitive to essential oils, and the Merck Veterinary Manual explains that cats are more sensitive because they lack an enzyme called glucuronyl transferase. If a pet has swallowed or been covered in the oil, call a veterinarian. More in Valerian Oil and Cats.

Can I swallow it?

No. Our oil is for aromatic and cosmetic use only, never for internal consumption.

Claims and storage

Does it help with sleep or anxiety?

We do not sell it for either and make no claim. NCCIH says on its aromatherapy page that we do not know whether aromatherapy helps insomnia because little rigorous research has been done. See valerian oil and sleep for the study-by-study view.

A small glass dish of diluted oil, a few small round plasters and a small amber glass bottle of valerian essential oil

How should I store it?

We say it typically lasts 3 to 5 years unopened, and recommend keeping the bottle tightly capped in a cool, dark cabinet away from pets. Closing the cap promptly keeps the aroma in the bottle and out of the room.

Which size should I start with?

The smallest. We say that a 0.5 oz or 1 oz bottle is plenty for a small trial because the oil is used in traces, and it lets you find out whether you like the smell before you commit. Our post on sizes goes through the reasoning.

If your question is not here, our safety overview Valerian Essential Oil Safety is a good next stop, and for anything medical the right person is a doctor or pharmacist.