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Herbal PropertiesHot Herbal Remedies |
Catnip : Medicinal Uses & BenefitsA harmless high for felines, and beneficial for humans. Catnip leaves contain considerable quantities of vitamins C and E, both excellent antioxidants. The primary phytochemicals, nepetalactone isomers, are mild sedatives, somewhat like the active ingredients in valerian. Catnip, is a potent sleep-inducer for humans. It soothes the nervous system and can safely help get a restless child off to sleep. Catnip calms without affecting you the next day. Catnip teas have long been used in traditional herbal medicine to quell digestive disturbances, and help stimulate menstruation. A hot cup of catnip tea is excellent for colds, flu, or the infectious diseases of childhood (eg measles), because of its action in inducing sleep and producing perspiration without increasing the heat of the system. 
Catnip Side Effects: Not for use during pregnancy How to Use: CatnipPreparation Methods & Dosage :Catnip herb teas and tinctures. To use for cats, sprinkle on food, stuff chewable toys, or add fresh leaves to drinking water. Glycerin-based tinctures are also good for both humans and cats. A hot cup of catnip tea with honey is excellent for colds, flu and relaxation.
Plant Description
Catnip (Catnep to the English) has an aromatic, characteristic odor, which bears a certain resemblance to that of both Mint and Pennyroyal. It is owing to this scent that it has a strange fascination for cats, who will destroy any plant of it that may happen to be bruised. There is an old saying about this plant:
'If you set it, the cats will eat it, Regional Traditions :European * European * North America * History and Traditions & FolkloreThis old, sweet herb was naturalized in North America so long ago that some think it a native, Catnip flavored with honey was a favorite aromatic tea of early American colonists. Catnip brings energies of knowledge, mystery, and playfulness.
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Common Misspellings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catnip Nepeta cataria 
Catnip essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves and has similar properties as the whole leaf, being antispasmodic and carmative (for digestive upsets) and diaphoretic (promotes perspiration), and febrifuge (breaks a fever), for use in colds. It is an effective insecticide and it's main use is as an insect repellent. Nepetalactone, which gives catnip its odor, was found to be 10 times more effective than the popular insect repellent diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). Herbacous and sutblely floral, catnip oil blends well with Grapefruit, lavandin, lavender, lemon, marjoram, orange, other mints, and rosemary.
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