LATIN NAME: Nepeta Cataria
PARTS USED: Leaves and flowering tops
HISTORY: Catnip is famous for inducing a delirious, stimulated state in cats. Throughout history, this herb has been used in humans to produce a sedative effect. From Europe to China, catnip had been used medicinally for at least 2000 years. In teas, its pleasant, lemon-minty vapors were considered a cold and cough remedy, relieving chest congestion and loosening phlegm. Old herbalists also praised its ability to promote sweating, a traditional treatment for fever.
Catnip tea was a regular beverage in England before the introduction of tea from China. Several other conditions (including cancer, toothache, corns, and hives) have been treated with catnip by traditional herbalists.
Catnip also has a long history of use as a tranquilizer, sedative, digestive aid, menstruation promoter, and treatment for menstrual cramps, flatulence, and infant colic.
Equal parts of catnip and saffron were once recommended for smallpox and scarlet fever.
The leaves were also chewed for toothache, smoked to treat bronchitis and asthma! Colonists introduced catnip into North America. It now grows across the continent. The Indians adopted the herb and used it for indigestion and infant colic and as a beverage.
Early Americans believed that catnip makes even the kindest person mean. It was traditionally used by hangmen prior to execution "to get into the right mood!"
CULTIVATION: Catnip is a perennial which does not grow easily from seed, but from cuttings. It grows wild around my house! Catnip likes dry, sandy, well-drained soil, in sun to part shade, with a pH of 6.6. It is hardy to zone 3.
MAGICKAL PROPERTIES: Animal magick, beauty, happiness, love. Catnip is a feminine plant associated with Venus and the element of Water.
MAGICKAL USES: Use with rose petals in love sachets. Catnip enhances beauty and happiness. Grow it near your home to attract good spirits and great luck. Press a leaf and use it as a bookmark in your spell book to enhance the power of your magick.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES: Anti-spasmodic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, sedative.
MEDICINAL USES: Catnip is used as an tranquilizer, sedative, digestive aid, and treatments for cough, colds, colic, diarrhea, flatulence, fever, and insomnia. Extract of catnip has been found to be cytotoxic to HELA-S3 cancer cells in cell culture. Catnip tea is used to treat everything from colds to cancer. Common uses are: as a digestive tonic, and mild sleeping aid. Catnip eases upset stomachs. It is good for treating children's diarrhea.
DIGESTIVE AID: Catnip may soothe the smooth muscles of the digestive tract (making it an antispasmodic). Have a cup of catnip tea after meals if you are prone to indigestion or heartburn.
WOMEN'S HEALTH: Antispasmodics calm not only the digestive tract but other smooth tracts as well, such as uterus. Catnip's antispasmodic effect supports its traditional use for relieving menstrual cramps. Catnip is also used as a menstruation promoter. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD AVOID USING THIS HERB.
TRANQUILIZER: Catnip is a mild tranquilizer and sedative.
INFECTION PREVENTION: Catnip has some antibiotic properties. It is used for the treatment of diarrhea and fever.
DOSAGE: A catnip tea can be made by adding 250 ml (1 cup) of boiling water to 1-2 teaspoons of the herb; cover, then steep for ten to fifteen minutes.
Do not boil catnip. Boiling dissipates its healing oil.
Drink 2-3 cups per day.
For children with coughs, 5 ml of tincture three times per day can be used.
SAFETY: No adverse side effects were reported if used in reasonable quantities or doses. Some people may experience upset stomach. FDA classifies catnip as a drug of "undefined safety". No significant toxic reactions have ever been reported.
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