Indian Valerian Essential Oil

Description

Energetic Properties: Indian Valerian, once you get beyond the initial smelly sock aromas is like a warm blanket and lulls us into comfort and ease. It relaxes the body and mind. This valerian is in the same botanical family as spikenard and has some similar notes. It really brings us deep down into ourselves and onto the earth, even further sometimes. It is a very strong ally for underworld/shadow work. A bottle left open by the bed enhances sleep, too. We feel that Indian Valerian might be a more sustainable replacement for spikenard, which is critically endangered and almost extinct.

Previously our research indicated that Indian Valerian was also threatened, though not critically endangered. Recently Moosa told us that his Indian Valerian is from a cultivated source and thus not endangering wild populations. So we are very happy to be able to offer Indian Valerian again.

Also, because Spikenard is critically endangered, we have decided that Indian Valerian, which contains many of the same constituents (https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/8/994) is a sustainable alternative. 

Smell: Indian valerian has a vanilla-like note that balances out the earthier base notes and therefore doesn’t have the pungency of Valeriana officinalis. This oil smells very similar to a good Spikenard.

Perfumery Note: Base note

Main Chemical Constituents: β-patchoulene, α-patchoulene, seychellene, α-selinene, and δ-guaiene. (1) 

Adulteration and quality: Adulteration is described for the herb (3) using similar herbs, but not the essential oil. 

Citations:

1. Raina AP, Negi KS. Essential oil composition of valeriana jatamansi jones from himalayan regions of India. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2015 Mar-Apr;77(2):218-22. doi: 10.4103/0250-474x.156614. PMID: 26009656; PMCID: PMC4442472.
2. Bandana D, et. al. . Biology, chemical diversity, agronomy, conservation and industrial importance of Valeriana jatamansi: A natural sedative, Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Volume 16, 2020, 100243, ISSN 2214-7861, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmap.2020.100243
3. Singh V, Dubey P, et. al. Botanical standardization of the Jatamansi, their substitute and adulterant species. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 10)4, Oct 2011, 599-603