Ayurvedic Herb

Valerian (has a safety note)

BotanicalValeriana officinalisAlso calledGarden heliotrope

A strong-smelling, grounding root long brewed at bedtime to quiet a racing, restless mind. Best used gently and for short stretches.

* Safety note: Causes drowsiness and should not be mixed with alcohol or sedatives; read the cautions. Read the cautions

Valerian, root

Valerian has been used in Europe since the days of the ancient Greeks. Old herbals gave it grand nicknames, which tells you how highly people once thought of it. India has its own cousin, Indian valerian or tagara, which Ayurveda uses in much the same spirit.

Be warned about the smell. Dried valerian root is earthy and musky, a bit like old socks, and cats love it. The taste is pungent and bitter. Ayurveda reads it as heating, heavy in effect and deeply settling, the kind of herb you reach for when vata has the mind spinning in circles at night.

Ayurvedic Properties

Not described in classical Ayurveda; modern Ayurvedic writers describe it as pungent, bitter and astringent in taste and heating, with a pungent post-digestive effect (Frawley and Lad, The Yoga of Herbs, and other modern Ayurvedic teachers).

RasaTastes
  • Pungent
  • Bitter
  • Astringent
ViryaHeating or cooling
Heating
VipakaPost-digestive effect
Pungent
AgniEffect on digestion
Neutral for agni

Little direct effect on digestion.

GunaQualities
  • Heavy
  • Stable
  • Oily
TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
  • Vata: decreases
  • Pitta: increases in excess
  • Kapha: decreases
  • decreases (calms that dosha)
  • increases (can aggravate it)
  • neutral or balancing
  • not known
  • V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha

Valerian's warmth and weight make it a classic choice for an anxious, wired vata mind. Its heat can bother pitta when overused, and in large amounts its heavy, dulling quality is not always welcome.

Traditional Uses

  • Traditionally used to support restful, deep sleep.
  • Traditionally used to support a calm, grounded nervous system.
  • Traditionally used to support relaxation of tense muscles at the end of the day.
  • Traditionally used to support ease during the cramping days of the monthly cycle.

How People Use It

  • TeaUse about 1 teaspoon of cut root per 2 cups of water. Pour just-boiled water over it, cover and steep 10 to 15 minutes. Boiling hard drives off its aromatic oils.
  • MilkSteep the root in warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg and cardamom. Milk softens the strong taste and adds to its grounding effect.
Try This

Valerian Bedtime Milk

A short-term evening ritual for nights when the mind will not switch off.

  • 2 cups whole milk or oat milk
  • 1 teaspoon cut valerian root
  • 1 green cardamom pod, crushed
  • 1 small pinch ground nutmeg
  • Honey to taste
  1. Warm the milk until it steams, then turn off the heat.
  2. Add the valerian and cardamom, cover and steep for 10 minutes.
  3. Strain into two small mugs (or save half for the next night) and add nutmeg.
  4. Let it cool a little before adding honey, then drink it in bed or right before.

Pairs Well With

Cautions

  • Valerian can cause drowsiness and mental dullness. Do not drive or operate machinery after taking it.
  • Do not combine it with alcohol, sedatives, sleep medicines or other relaxing herbs.
  • Little is known about its safety during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so it is best avoided then.
  • Possible side effects include headache, upset stomach, uneasiness and vivid dreams. Rare cases of liver injury have been reported, usually with herbal blends.
  • It is meant for short-term use. Stopping suddenly after long use may cause withdrawal-like symptoms.
  • If you take any medication, please consult your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using valerian.

In Our Shop

Organic Valerian Root

Organic Valerian Root, from $6.50. Weighed and packed by hand at our Rockville Centre studio.

Shop Valerian →

From the Journal

Sources and Further Reading

This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.