top of page

Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

Cemetery dirt, All Heal, Setwell, Vandal root, Nature's Valium, Xie coa (Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Native to

Europe and parts  of Asia

A majority of the Witchlist's Garden include naturalized species that now live across the globe, for history's sake and to ensure we recognize any appropriation that we may make in our use of a plant, we include it's nativity.

Parts Used: 

  • Roots/Rhizomes can be harvested in the fall, trimming the flowers can support root development


  • Analgesic

  • Antidepressant

  • Anxiolytic

  • Carminative

  • Hypotensive

  • Nervine

  • Sedative

Divinities & Mythos


Plant Energies

Over the course of millenia, various religions, physical sciences, diviners and star gazers, etc. have come to assign energies. This is perfectly synopsized by JD Walker in A Witch's Guide to Wildcraft:

Plants can be hot, cold, wet, or dry. They are assigned to or governed by one of seven (or nine [by including the Moon and Sun], depending on your outlook) heavenly bodies. People assigned these characteristics based on where a plant grew, what it looked like, and what effect it had on the humans and animals that came in contact with the plant.

  • Planet(s): Venus

  • Element(s): Water

  • Gender: Feminine

  • Taste: Acrid

  • Energy: Warming

Warning: Dosage Dependent + Do NOT Drive

For most of the population, Valerian acts as a sedative. Therefore, dosage will be an important factor in just how sedated you will feel. Starting small and testing up is always a good idea and as always, check with your physician or medical professional before starting any supplements.


Until you know how valerian affects you, do not drive or operate heavy machinery while under its influence.

Copy of The Bat & Raven.png

Valerian Root in Action

The Bat & Raven offers these products that utilize the properties of Valerian Root.

Magical Properties

  • Attraction

  • Banishing

  • Calm

  • Cat Magic

  • Clarity

  • Cleansing

  • Clearing

  • Divination

  • Dream

  • Harmony

  • Healing

  • Love

  • Peace

  • Protection

  • Purification

  • Sleep

  • Storm Protection

  • Trauma Healing

Talk to your Doctor/Medical Professional before adding any Supplements, herbal teas, Infusions, etc.

Part of the reason that we list medical jargin is because many plants can interfere with or even counteract medications we already take or it can exacerbate ailments we already have. 

When talking to your Medical Professional, we suggest asking what "actions" an herb might do to interfere 
with your health, either positive of negative. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, a Cholagogue which creates more bile may not be advantageous. Too much of a good thing, eh?

bottom of page