Valerian root oil

Say itvuh-LEER-ee-un root oil

Pungent, cheesy-sweaty, musty earth with woody-balsamic, slightly animalic depth.

What it is: Natural oil from roots and rhizomes of Valeriana officinalis.
Where it comes from: Europe and Asia
When you smell it: Dry-down: hours later.
What perfumers do with it: Trace-level animalic-earthy accent in chypre, leather, moss and forest-floor accords.
Worth knowing: Cats react to valerian much as they do to catnip, thanks to compounds such as actinidine.
Also called: Valeriana officinalis

Not on the label of any of the 232 perfumes read so far.