Herb of the Week: Valerian

Scientific Name: Valeriana officinalis

Also known as: Garden Heliotrope, All-Heal, Setwall, Vandalroot

Valerian is a beloved herbal ally with a long history of soothing the body, calming the nerves, and supporting deep rest. Though famous today as a sleep herb, its roots reach far back into ancient European herbal traditions, where it held a place not only in medicine but also in magic, ritual, and folklore.

Folklore & Magic of Valerian

Valerian has been used for centuries as a protective and purifying herb. In medieval Europe, it was hung in homes to ward off lightning, evil spirits, and unwanted energy. Some traditions saw it as a favorite herb of witches for its ability to enhance intuition and spirit communication. In love magic, it was carried to attract affection and deepen emotional connection.

Its strong scent, beloved by cats and sometimes linked to the Pied Piper story, was believed to draw not just animals, but also wandering spirits and fae.

Magickal Uses:

• Protection and warding

• Banishing negative energy

• Enhancing sleep and dreamwork

• Supporting divination and intuitive clarity

• Strengthening emotional resilience

• Love spells for reconciliation or peace

• Grounding and stabilizing spiritual energy

Symbolism

• Rest: Encourages release, slowing down, and surrendering tension.

• Protection: Creates energetic boundaries and repels harmful influences.

• Dreaming: Supports access to symbolic, meaningful dreams and subconscious wisdom.

• Resolve: Represents emotional strength and the ability to stand firm during turbulent moments.

• Transition: A guide for shifting from stress into calm, or from wakefulness into restorative sleep.

  
  

Valerian in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

In TCM, Valerian is used to ease emotional constraint, soothe irritability related to Qi stagnation, and support restful sleep by calming an overactive mind.

Energetics:

• Temperature: Warming

• Flavor: Pungent, bitter

• Channels Entered: Heart, Liver

• Actions: Moves Qi, calms the Shen (spirit), releases tension, dispels stagnation

Medicinal Benefits of Valerian

Valerian root has been widely studied for its calming properties. While not a nutrient-dense herb, its root compounds, such as valerenic acid, play a powerful role in supporting the nervous system.

Medicinal Benefits:

• Promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety

• Eases stress-related muscle tension

• Supports deeper, more restful sleep

• May help with headaches and menstrual discomfort

• Traditionally used for digestive tension related to stress

• Offers mild sedative effects without dependency for many users

Lesson:

Valerian teaches us that letting go is not weakness, it’s wisdom. True rest is a kind of magic, a recalibration that strengthens our body and spirit. When we honor our need for stillness, we make space for clarity, healing, and renewed energy. Let Valerian remind you that slowing down is often the first step toward moving forward.

Valerian is a comforting companion for anyone seeking peace, groundedness, and emotional renewal. Whether used in tea, tincture, charms, or ritual work, this ancient root invites us to reconnect with the quiet, restorative spaces within ourselves.

✨ Want to dive deeper into the healing power of herbs? Explore more in our Herb of the Week series, featuring wisdom from the Healing Plants Oracle Deck, illustrated by pioneering herbalist Elizabeth Blackwell.

⚠️ Disclaimer & Safety

This information is for educational and spiritual purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using herbal supplements.

Avoid or use caution if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding

• You are taking sedatives, sleep medications, or anxiety medications

• You need to drive or operate machinery (Valerian may cause drowsiness)

• You have liver issues or are on medications metabolized by the liver

• You have allergies to Valerianaceae family plants

• You experience paradoxical reactions (in rare cases, Valerian may cause stimulation instead of calming)