Catnip Leaf - Gives Cats a "High," Helps Humans With Diseases

Catnip, officially Nepeta cataria, is a member of the mint family. It grows to be about 2' tall. The leaves are downy above and below, a diminutive larger than peppermint leaves. Catnip is harvested when this principal oil yield reaches its peak, and leaves and fragrant flowers are determined air-dried to keep principal oils at their best.

[b]Catmint[/b]

Catnip is a native of Europe but was imported to Us and is now a base weed here. Other names include Catmint, Catnep, Catswort, Field Balm, Menta De Gato. Catnip has been used in herbal remedies on humans since at least the 15th century. It was the most generally consumed herbal drink in Europe before teas from the orient began to be imported. By the 1890's, Ojibwe native women were using it. It had a Native name, Gajugensibug, and was said to be a good tea to drink to bring down fevers, as well as being pleasant-tasting.

Catnip got its name by giving cats of all sizes a mild "high." Although many cats will eat it, scientists say they're more curious in the smell than the taste. Felines bite, chew, rub against, and roll in catnip to issue the volatile oil trapped in the leaves. The cat will generally go crazy for several minutes. Then suddenly it will lose interest and walk away only to return and do it again two hours later. Although no one knows exactly what happens in the cat's brain, we do know that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is what triggers the response. The catnip reaction is inherited, and, though some cats are totally unaffected by it, even large cats like tigers can be sensitive to it.

For humans, taken as a hot infusion, catnip promotes sweating and is beneficial for colds, flu, fevers, and infectious diseases. It is soothing to the nervous law and calming to the stomach. It aids with flatulence, diarrhea, and colic. It is sometimes used as an enema to cleanse and heal the lower bowel (use in diluted form). Catnip helps to prevent a miscarriage and premature birth and decreases the pain of morning sickness.

Catnip is beneficial for young children. It stimulates the body, settles the stomach, and soothes the nerves. The mixture of catnip with fennel has long been used as a remedy for colic, gas, teething difficulties, and indigestion in children. It also helps clean out mucus in the body.

Combined with garlic's infection fighting properties, the duo is a distinguished enema. It has the potential to induce sleep while producing perspiration without expanding the heat of the system. This makes it a principal drink when someone has a fever. Its sedative performance on the nerves adds to its generally relaxing properties.

It is the leaf that has value though principal oils are taken from the flowers. It may be purchased and used dried, cut, and powdered. Catnip is ready as a tea, as an extract, or the dried leaves are lightly sprinkled on food. Of course, the dried leaves are made into an herbal pillow for cats.

Catnip is a safe herb but must be stored properly. As is the case with most herbs, Catnip should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool place. Refrigeration or freezing prolongs its value. The petalactone in catnip is Uv photosensitive and, therefore, it is foremost that it be stored out of the sun. Some suggest caution for use by pregnant women but others say it is perfectly safe, even beneficial for expectant mothers.

Catnip Leaf - Gives Cats a "High," Helps Humans With Diseases