| Herb of the Month Catnip Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria |
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| Aka: Cat, Catmint, Catnep, Catrup, Cat's Wort, Field Balm, Garden Nep, Herba Cataria, Herba Catti, Nebada, Nep, Nepeta, Nip, | |||
Simply by watching the effects this plant has on cats of all ages, it is obvious to see how this herb got its name. The scent it produces is similar to the pheromones that cats secrete. So it acts as an aphrodisiac to cats. However, the medicinal uses of catnip throughout history are much different than the effects our feline friends enjoy.
Catnip is a sedative to us humans. It also has antibiotic and astringent properties that have been used throughout history for colds, coughs, bronchitis and asthma. It relieves chest congestion and loosens phlegm. It also induces sweating which is a natural method for reducing fever.
Today Catnip is still used for its sedating properties. A cup of Catnip tea is a great sleep inducer but it also is good for restlessness and nervousness. Catnip is safe and gentle, even for use with children. It is especially good for over-active children, and children with ADD and ADHD. If they don't want to drink the herbal tea, a herbal bath does the trick just as well.
Colicky babies respond well to Catnip. It is an antispasmodic and seems to calm them down quickly. Simply put drops of Catnip tea on the babies tongue as needed or dilute 1 tablespoon Catnip tea with milk. The drop of strong Catnip tea on the tongue can also help adults relieve those cravings for cigarettes when "kicking the habit".
Catnips' antispasmodic properties are excellent for adults as well. It's soothing to the digestive system and provides relief from diarrhea, flatulence, indigestion and upset stomach. It even helps abdominal pain and menstrual cramping.
Like many herbs, Catnip has many excellent nutritional properties. It contains 8 chemicals that provide sedating responses including those that are similar to valerian, another renowned sedative. It also has minerals with anti-anxiety and antidepressant traits as well as containing calcium, magnesium, potassium, Vitamin A, B-complex and C. These are even more reasons why Catnip is useful, especially for women's issues including PMS, menopause and preventing osteoporosis.
A study performed at Iowa State University found that an extract from the leaves contains herbicidal and insect repellant properties. Great to use for cleaning pets sleeping area or heavy areas of infestation from fleas. Other studies are currently being conducted on it's anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties.
Medicinal Properties Include:
Local Anesthetic, Antirheumatic, Anodyne, Antispasmodic, Aromatic,
Astringent, Carminative, Diaphoretic (Without Warming/Heating
Body), Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Refrigerant,
Sedative (When Served Warm), Stimulant (When Served Cold), Stomachic,
Tonic, Tranquilizer.
Dried Herb Usage: Chew leaves to relieves tooth ache.
Rub directly on skin for skin irritations. Add to salads &
rub on meat for added flavoring. Make cat toys & sleep pillows
filled with the dried leaves.
Skin & Hair - Make an infusion (strong cup of tea)
and use as a hair rinse or add to the bath for scalp and skin
irritations. Make a poultice or compress for pain, sprains, bruises
and insect bites. Helps arthritis, rheumatism and sore eyes.
Eye Care - Cool a cup of Catnip tea and use for an eye
wash. Beneficial for relieving inflammation & swelling to
due to allergies, flu and excessive alcoholic consumption.
Bath - Provides relief for skin irritations, arthritis
and allergy symptoms.
Tea - An excellent cold and cough remedy, relieving chest
congestion and loosening phlegm. Great sleep inducer, relaxes
spasms of most stomach type problems.
Caution: Catnip tea is generally regarded as safe. However,
due to its traditional use as a uterine stimulant, pregnant women
should not consume Catnip except on the advice of a physician.
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Recipes
Catnip Tea:
2 teaspoons dried Catnip
8 oz boiled water
Let steep 5-10 minutes until cool enough to drink.
For children give 1/2 cup. For babies, dilute 1 tablespoon tea
in milk.
Mintcream: Add 3 tbsp. Catnip to 12 cup heavy cream and use in cocoa or coffee.
Herbal Tea Blend
1/2 cup dried Catnip
3/4 cup dried Chamomile
1 cup dried Lemon Balm
1/4 cup dried Mint
Mix the herbs thoroughly, and store in an air tight container. For a cup of tea, use 2 tsp in a cup of boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes and strain out the herbs.
Catnip Cookies
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup soy flour
1 teaspoon Catnip
1 egg
1/3 cup of milk
1 tablespoon molasses
2 tablespoons butter
Preheat the oven to 350. Mix all the dry ingredients together.
Add molasses, egg, oil, and milk. Oil a cookie sheet and
roll mixture out flat. Cut into bite-sized pieces, then
put in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool, and store
in a tightly sealed container.
Catnip
Tuna Kitty Treats - Too large to put in the newsletter
so click
this link to get this fabulous recipe that is easy to make
and your feline friends will totally Enjoy!!!
http://itsmynature.net/html/Cantip-Tuna-Treats.html
Catnip Herbal Shampoo
2 tablespoons Catnip
1 tablespoon Castile soap
1/4 cup boiling water
Place boiling water in a cup and add Catnip. Allow to steep for
10 minutes. Add castile soap to cup. Mix well. Apply entire portion
to wet hair and lather well. Rinse with cool water.
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