Valerian
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a flowering plant whose root is one of the oldest and best-known traditional sleep herbs in Europe. Brewed as a tisane it makes an earthy, woody, slightly musky infusion with a famously pungent aroma that drinkers either tolerate or learn to love. It is naturally caffeine-free and is popularly taken in the evening, traditionally associated with relaxation and restful sleep.
Good valerian is cut dried root in pale brown, fibrous pieces with a strong, earthy, musky, unmistakably pungent smell; that funky aroma is normal and actually a sign of potent, fresh root, while a weak or flat smell suggests old material. Whole or coarsely cut root keeps its character longer than fine powder. The infusion is pale brown and earthy-woody, and is almost always blended with mint, lemon balm, or chamomile to make the aroma more pleasant. Because the smell is so distinctive, freshness is easy to judge by nose. Store it well sealed, both to keep it fresh and to keep its odor out of the rest of your tea shelf.
Valeriana officinalis is native to Europe and parts of Asia and is now cultivated for its roots and rhizomes. These are dug up, cleaned, and dried, which actually intensifies the characteristic odor, then cut for infusion, with no oxidation step. Valerian has a very long history in European herbal tradition as an evening, sleep-associated herb, and it remains one of the most common ingredients in bedtime and relaxation blends.
As a root, valerian needs a long extraction: use about 1 g per 100 ml (around 2 g per 250 ml cup), water at 95 to 100°C, steeped 8 to 10 minutes or longer, or gently simmered. Some prefer an overnight cold infusion, which is said to give a smoother, less harsh cup. It is caffeine-free and does not turn bitter, so long steeping only deepens the earthy body. The root re-steeps for a second, milder cup, and is almost always paired with mint or chamomile to round off the strong aroma.
€6-14 (about $7-15) per 100 g; plain cut valerian root is moderately priced, with organic grades at the higher end, and because you use little per cup it lasts well. Caffeine-free.
Prices reviewed June 2026
Chamomile
Chamomile is the gentle, pleasant-tasting evening herb; valerian is far more pungent and earthy, so the two are often blended, with chamomile making valerian much easier to drink.
Linden Flower
Linden flower is another traditional European evening tisane, soft and honeyed where valerian is heavy and earthy, and the two appear together in relaxation blends.
Lavender
Lavender brings a fragrant, floral aroma that helps mask valerian's funk; both are staples of bedtime and unwind blends, working on aroma as much as flavor.
Valerian's pungent, earthy smell is famously attractive to cats, which respond to it much as they do to catnip; the plant's name is sometimes linked to the Latin valere, to be strong or well.