BENEFITS OF CATNIP

Herbalists use both the leaves and roots of catnip, which may have benefit. People drink catnip leaves in tea to soothe nervous disorders, whereas people use the root as a stimulant. Chemicals in catnip include acetic acid, biotin, buteric acid, choline, citral and dipentene, according to James Balch, M.D. in Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Catnip also contains folic acid, inositol, lifronella, limonene, manganese, nepetalic acid, pantothenic acid, paraaminobenzoic acid, phosphorous, sodium, sulfur, valeric acid, A and B vitamins. 1. Herbal Medicine and Cooking The plant has been grown for centuries and has been used both as an herbal medicine and in cooking. It was one of the most important medicinal herb in medieval monastery gardens. 2. Cold and Flu Remedy Catnip has a diaphoretic effect (increasing perspiration without raising body temperature) and antipyretic (anti-fever) effects. It can help break a fever, and keep your body temperature down during these common illnesses. This leads to its uses to treat colds and as an herbal remedy for symptoms of the flu (influenza). 3. Powerful Detoxifier The catnip plant will also cause you to sweat more without allowing your body temperature to rise, so you can sweat out the toxins without a fever. 4. Helps with Digestion Problems and Upset Stomach The antispasmodic qualities of this herb help to relieve many gastrointestinal disorders and cramping. The catnip extracts calm your stomach and help lower the acid levels, and this plant can help stimulate your appetite as well. Catnip tea can help with gas pains, abdominal cramping, and other intestinal problems.

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Pain Reliever for Rheumatism and Arthritis A poultice of the leaves and flowers can be applied to reduce swelling from rheumatism, arthritis, soft-tissue injuries and other inflammatory conditions. Make a poultice and apply it to the swollen and painful joints for ten minutes, and you will see and feel a big difference. This remedy will work on any joint condition that includes swelling and pain.

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Natural Band Aid The catnip plant can also be used to stop any bleeding and to help speed the healing of any scrapes or cuts when the plant is applied to them. Catnip leaves are like Mother Natures band aid.

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Treating scarlet-fever and small-pox A mixture of catnip tea and saffron has shown promise in treating scarletfever and small-pox.

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Has a Sedative Effect Catnip is also used as a muscle relaxant and mild sedative. This means a cup of catnip tea can help you get to sleep at night, and stay that way. This is a natural sleep aid without any harmful chemicals or drugs. This also explains its use to combat insomnia and other sleep disorders.

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Cure for Headaches and Migraine It is often used to relieve the pain of headaches (especially tension headaches) and migraines. This natural remedy helps to relax your muscles, and this in turn will help relieve headaches which are caused from tension or stress.

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Helps to Calm Nerves of Hyperactive Children Catnip tea can have benefits for children as well. This plant can help calm the nerves of children, stopping restlessness and agitation. This is true of adults as well, because of the relaxing effect this plant has on the nervous system. Catnip leaf or tea can also help children who have colic, by calming down the stomach and relieving intestinal cramping and discomfort.

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Helps Relieve Pain during Menstrual Period In women, this valuable plant can help bring on their menstrual period, and relieve many of the symptoms which occur with this cycle, like bloating, cramping and abdominal pain. The relaxing effect also helps make this time each month less stressful. The catnip plant also help tone the muscles of the uterus, making it stronger.

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Toothache Remedy Catnip is also good for toothaches, when used in a poultice and applied to the affected area. It can not replace the dentist, but the catnip poultice may help you find relief until you can get to the dentist and get the problem taken care of.

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Insect Repellant Nepetalactone, one of the ingredients of the essential oil, has been shown to be effective as an insect repellant. The chemical nepetalactone that gives catnip its strong scent repels mosquitoes 10 times more effectively than DEET, the compound used in most commercial bug repellents. While the study researched catnip as an essential oil, catnip tea retains some of the strong aroma of the leaves, so may keep bugs away. Alternatively, use catnip essential oil as a bug repellent. Do not ingest essential oil or apply it directly to your skin. This also works as a flea treatment in animals or on carpets.

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Meat Tenderizing This herb is often used for seasoning and meat tenderizing.

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A Happy Cat A catnip-influenced cat is a happy cat. The catnip has no harmful consequence nor does it generate addiction on the cat; it is a very attractive plant for felines and it produces feelings of euphoria and relax on them. Making the catnip work as a benefit for the owner might actually be the answer for many of the cats behaviour problems. Cats that are affected by the catnip can suddenly change their behaviour because, oddly

enough, the catnip works as stimulant when inhaled and as a tranquilizer when ingested. Despite all the effects, catnip is not toxic at all for cats nor does it cause addition. It is indeed quite harmless and the effects usually disappear around 10 minutes after the cat was exposed to the plant. The feline will only be susceptible to a new exposure two hours later. The main active element of the catnip is an oil named Nepetalactone, which is very similar to the pheromone found in the male cats urine. That is what led scientists to easily conclude that the catnip therefore works as an aphrodisiac on felines. Besides, cats only react to the smell of catnip after they become sexually mature, which happens at 4 to 6 months of age, and eventually stop reacting to it some years later, when they become old. In spite of what one would think, catnip does not affect all felines. In fact, many cats are actually immune to this plants smell and ingestion. The possibility of reaction seems to be determined by genetic heritance, which means that it is transmitted from progenitors to their descendants. Also, cat breeds from places where catnip doesnt grow seem to be less affected by it than the European and Asian breeds.