I love catnip! Any plant I can drop some seeds in the dirt,
walk away, and never have to do any maintenance is a great plant in my
book. I planted some seeds against our
privacy fence a few years ago, and now it is everywhere! I find random catnip plants in parts of the
yard that are nowhere close to where it was originally planted. It’s a very versatile herb, useful in
medicinal applications, not to mention the cats go nuts over it. Here is a brief compilation of information I’ve
found for this most helpful plant.
Catnip has many other names, mainly
catmint, catnep, catswort, and field balm.
The active ingredient is the oil called nepetalactone, among other
components, which is found in the leaves and stems.
When my
son was younger, we used an infusion of catnip, chamomile, and lemon balm to help
calm him before bed. He was/is a very high energy boy, and we were unwilling to
dose him with pharmaceuticals constantly to make him sleep. The catnip tea worked great to help soothe
him before sleep. Now that he’s older
and has a better sleep routine, we use it regularly ground up in oatmeal powder
for his bath. The scent alone is very
relaxing and is used in conjunction with other scents for aromatherapy.
Catnip
is used as a mild sedative as well as a mild pain-killer. It helps in both respects as an
antispasmodic, soothing the muscular structure and calming spasms. Use the tea to help an upset stomach, the
antispasmodic properties help in this area too.
It also acts as an antacid to alleviate heartburn. As a carminative, catnip helps relieve
pressure in the abdomen due to gas buildup by helping to pass it. It can also be used as an enema.
No one
is quite sure what causes colic in babies. Of course there are several
theories, mainly centering on the abdomen, everything from an immature
digestive tract to pressure from gas. Whatever the cause, catnip seems to help,
whether it be soothing the muscles of the belly or helping to expel the gas.
As a diuretic, catnip can help
flush the body of toxins and relieve water weight. Crushed catnip leaves can be placed on a cut
or wound and covered with a bandage. The
poultice has been shown to have healing properties on injuries. As an external application, the herb has been
shown to help with muscle aches and pains, bruising, and rheumatism.
Catnip
has been used in the past to help a woman expel a miscarriage, so pregnant
women should avoid using catnip, as it can stimulate the muscles of the uterus.
n case
of fever, catnip can act as a diaphoretic and promote sweating. Sweating is an important function that helps
the body stay cool, therefore maintaining a steady core temperature. Sweat cools the body as it evaporates. In Europe, popular uses are for chronic
bronchitis and diarrhea.
Catnip
contains vitamin C. Vitamin C, or ascorbic
acid, is a component the human body neither makes nor stores. A continuous supply must be taken in through
the foods we eat. The body needs
ascorbic acid for cell function, as well as the formation of collage, the basic
connective tissues, as well as teeth, bones, cartilage, skin, and capillaries. Vitamin C also helps the body use other
vitamins, like vitamins A and E, iron, B vitamins, calcium, and some amino
acids.
Bees
love catnip. The flowers are small,
grow in clusters on spikes, and are white with purple spots. The sweet aroma draws the bees, and the honey
made from catnip can actually have a different taste and color from regular
honey. It can also be used as an herbal
remedy in its own right.
As much
as bees love catnip, some bothersome insects like mosquitoes hate it. The plants can actually deter mosquitoes in
an area, and when the leaves are crushed and the oil is released, it has an
even better effect. When rubbed on the skin, the strong smell can help keep the
little pests away. Cockroaches seem to
avoid the smell as well, and it has been observed that rats and mice will also
stay away from where catnip is grown.
And then
we come to the plant’s namesake. Cats adore
catnip. While many of the properties
people enjoy from catnip also work for felines, it usually has an energizing
effect for cats when they sniff it. When
ingested, catnip aids in digestion and passing hairballs through the digestive
tract, as well as having a sedative effect.
About 50% of cats are not affected by catnip, and kittens younger than 8
weeks can’t enjoy the effects at all.
Catnip
tea stimulates the appetite when consumed cold before meals, and aids in
digestion if taken hot after eating. Considering the broad array of ailments this herb can help, it's well worth placing in your herbal medicine cabinet. The
most common recipe for preparing catnip tea is to steep 1 teaspoon of the herb
in 1 cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes.
Steep only, do not boil. Enjoy!
*Catnip is often thought of as a pest plant, as it will spread anywhere and everywhere. Consider placing in containers and harvesting before the flowers go to seed to prevent spread.
**Of
course I’m not a doctor. This
information is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or ailment. By all means, contact your doctor or
pediatrician before using catnip in a medicinal way, and never stop taking
prescribed medications unless directed by your doctor.
