Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Taste: Acrid, pungent

Origin: Europe

Energetics: cooling, moistening

Actions and Properties: Relaxant, nerving, diaphoretic, carminative

Systems: Digestive system, female reproductive system, muscular skeletal system, integumentary system

Traditionally used for:

• Nervous headache, menstrual headache, sleeplessness
• Swollen under the eyes
• Congestion, pain and anxiety in the stomach
• Anxiety attacks felt in the stomach, mimicking heart attack
• Hiatal hernia, hiccough
• Spasm, pain ascending from the stomach or uterus
• Motion sickness (mild palliative)
• Gas pains, relived by burping
• Menstrual cramps
• Lactation: sweetens milk
• Lessens fatigue from muscular exertion
• Skin irritations; hives, measles, fever, acne, scarlatina; brings rashes to the surface

Brewing instructions:

• 1-2 tsp of herb per cup of water
• Boiling water (200-212f/93-100C)
• Steep for 5-15 minutes

Contraindications/cautions: Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding. high doses of catnip can cause headaches and vomiting, use in moderation. With children use small amounts and not for extended periods of time. avoid if you have Pelvic Inflammatory disease. Stop taking catnip 2 weeks before scheduled surgeries. May cause drowsiness.

Always consult a healthcare practitioner when consuming any new herb. Like all herb it is best to start with a little to make sure you are not intolerant.

Warning: This information has not been verified by Health Canada and should be considered for historical and educational purposes only.

Other uses: Can be fed to your cat and watch them go crazy.