Catnip: Nepeta cataria
Catnip is an herb in the mint family commonly used to make cats twitchy and insane. Every time I have had a bag of catnip in my herb stash not properly stored in an airtight container, my cats have completely annihilated it and gone on a crazy kitty catnip binge that rivaled WWI. Cats have receptors for the chemical nepetalactone that enhance emotion that people do not have, which is why we do not roll around in piles of the stuff making a mess all across the house. Fair warning, cats will destroy the live plants as well, so protecting your plant if your home is around cats may be something to consider when growing it.
Catnip is commonly used with humans to treat colic, headache, toothache, colds, and spasms. It is a calming nervous tonic and USUALLY will help a person fall asleep. Some people might have an opposite effect so if you are trying it as a calming agent, try it the first time during the day to see if it calms you so you are not accidentally up all night.
It is effective for treating anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness, and is also great for easing migraine headaches, stomach complaints, and also reduces swelling associated with arthritis, hemorrhoids, and soft tissue injuries.
An oil infusion of catnip is useful in baths and good for massages for children suffering from measles, chickenpox, whooping cough, colic, fevers, hives, insomnia and hyperactivity.
It is one of the best herbs you can find to use with children because of its gentle calming nature.
I add catnip to my daughter’s chamomile tea when she is teething. The combination helps alleviate pain and calm her so she can sleep. It also adds a slight minty flavor which is pleasant. I keep a sippy cup with the tea in her crib at night for when she wakes up. I also add it to a teething glycerite I make for her, and add it to my husband’s sleepy time tea.
You can see why this wonderful, gentle herb has made it into my “medicine cabinet“. How do you use Catnip in your home?
Shared on Wildcrafting Wednesday, and Simple Living Wednesday.
Essential Oils
Is catnip safe to use while pregnant? I at times suffer from anxiety, but all the other natural helps are not to be used by an expectant mother.
Catnip is an emenogogue, meaning it can help bring on periods. Because of this I would not use it while pregnant. This is what I use during pregnancy http://naturallivingmamma.com/2012/01/25/crazy-pregnant-lady-tea/ which has been approved by my herbalist AND midwives (yes plural). If you are in the first trimester, or at risk of miscarriage I would leave out the lemon balm. Congratulations on your pregnancy!