Valerian root, aka valeriana officinalis, is a unique herb that is native to parts of Europe and Asia. This root is a common ingredient in medicine due to how effective of a sedative it is. You can find the root in pills used to treat insomnia, anxiety, and other sleeping disorders. But aside from its medical uses, valerian has other perplexing qualities that may surprise you.
The most unique quality of valerian root, and the most noticeable, is its smell. Many people report it to smell like stale cheese, dirty socks, wet dog, or even feces. But why does a material with such useful sedative properties smell so bad? In this post, we’ll go over:
- Why does valerian root smell so bad? And other fun facts.
- What is valerian root used for? Supplements, pills, and more.
- Benefits and risks of taking valerian root. Should you be using it?
Why Does Valerian Root Smell So Bad?
The smell of Valerian root can be described as extremely earthy and musky, with sweaty and stale undertones. Based on accounts, it seems like it smells like something uniquely unpleasant to everyone. The smell sticks around too, often lingering wherever it is used. This smell comes out of the root when it is dried, soaked in hot water, or around a lot of heat and moisture.
This smell is the result of a couple of factors.
- Chemical Composition
- Natural Defense Mechanisms
Valerian contains several vaporous substances like valeric acid and isovaleric acid that all emit unpleasant odors of their own. The quantity and high concentration of these chemicals result in the odor that valerian root emits. When exposed to heat or moisture, these compounds break down, react with each other, and emit the odor even more intensely.
There’s more to the smell though. It isn’t just a coincidence that the chemical composition of valerian root smells horrible, it’s an evolutionary trait.
As well as the smell, valerian also has a bitter taste, and both of these traits are defense mechanisms to protect against getting eaten. Unpleasant smells and tastes tend to send a message to the brain that says “This is dangerous.” It’s similar to the way peppers have evolved to be spicy — this is a trait that evolved to deter animals from eating them. Although for peppers that didn’t work out too well, we humans love spicy food. For valerian root, on the other hand, this worked out a little better. Sure, we still use the herb for medicinal purposes, but you won’t catch too many people consuming it for pleasure.
The chemical makeup of valerian also protects against microbial threats like famine and parasites, giving the root an extremely well-rounded defense system. With defense against threats great and small, this plant is built to survive. But what is it about valerian that makes us use it despite all the signs telling us not to?
What is Valerian Root Used For?
Valerian root has been used medicinally since the time of the Roman Empire to treat migraines, cramps, insomnia, and other sleep-related conditions.
The main use of valerian root today is in medication for anxiety and insomnia due to its calming properties. It can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, premenstrual syndrome, and headaches.
To use valerian root, it is commonly put into capsules, pills, and tinctures. It is also sometimes brewed into herbal (and very stinky) tea. If you think valerian root might help with any problems you’ve been having, Dr. Emil has products containing the root like the EZ Doze sleeping aid capsules. Luckily through capsules and pills, the root does not emit any nasty smell.
What are the Benefits and Risks of Taking Valerian Root?
Valerian root can be a great option if you’re looking for a natural calming agent, but if you’re thinking about trying it, it’s important to first consider all possible dangers and side effects.
One thing to consider about valerian root is that it still has unknown properties. The plant is yet to be researched thoroughly, so using it may introduce the risk of revealing unknown side effects. What is known is that it is almost 100% safe for short-term use, but studies have only been done lasting up to one month of use. If you plan to use it for a longer period, you may be treading into the unknown.
But what we do know is that through frequent and prolonged use, valerian can pose a risk of these side effects:
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Mental unrest
- Heart irregularity
- Drowsiness the morning after use
In some instances, valerian can even cause insomnia to worsen. Just like valerian tends to smell differently to everyone, it affects everyone’s bodies in different ways. Please exercise caution when considering using valerian. If any of these side effects arise, it may be smart to consider another treatment option and consult your healthcare provider.
Here are some other important safety tips to consider:
- Valerian root should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.
- It should not be used in combination with other sedatives.
- It should not be used while you are under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs.
And Now You Know Why Valerian Root Smells So Bad!
Valerian root is an extremely unique plant for more reasons than just its smell. It also has fascinating evolutionary traits used to fend off herbivores and a favorable calming effect on the human body. Still, there are plenty of things about valerian root that have yet to be discovered by science. There may be even more than meets the eye to this peculiarly fascinating plant.
