Everybody knows that catnip got its name because it seems to be the recreational drug of choice for felines. What some people don't realize is that it has a long history as an herbal tea. Catnip is actually a member of the mint family and it grows like mint. If you sprinkle the seeds on a prepared garden bed and gently but barely cover them they will quickly grow into a beautiful creeping plant. It is very easy to grow and once its planted it is difficult to accidently kill even if you neglect it. It has the added benefit of repelling bugs and if you shouldn't be bothered by biting insects while you are working near it in the garden. Make a spray with water and oil and use it in the house to repel bugs. Don't spray it where kitty will be tempted to scratch though.
Catnip is generally considered safe with very few side effects but it shouldn't be taken by pregnant women. It has a calming effect when sipped as a tea and has been used for colicky, irritable or teething babies. It also helps to calm excitable children and seems to help with attention deficit or behavior problems. It is used for indigestion and gas in children and adults.
It also helps calm nervousness and sleeplessness in adults. Chewing a few fresh leaves can calm a toothache or ease a headache. A strong tea helps with menstrual cramps or other problems with PMS as well as regulating the menstrual cycle.
If you feel a cold or flu coming on then it is time to add a couple of cups of tea to your daily routine. It will help lower fevers and soothe throats. It acts as a decongestant and is used for bronchitis and asthma.
The tea can also be applied topically for minor scratches, cuts and wounds as it helps ease the pain and heal the tissue. It has disinfecting properties that help prevent infections while the tissues heal. It can be used as a hair rinse for scalp irritations. It also helps with arthritis and swelling.
To make a tea with catnip simply add one or two teaspoons of dried catnip to a cup of hot water and steep. Honey can be added for sweetener and the warm tea can be sipped slowly while breathing deeply.
Next time you add herbs to the garden, give a little piece of space to some catnip. Its easy to grow even for the gardening challenged. After you see the benefits of a cuppa tea you will finally see why catnip isn't just for the cats.
Southern Wood Elf