Catnip

Species name: nepeta cataria L.

Also known as: Catmint, true catnip, field balm.

What is it about catnip that can make your feline friend go crazy? Just as its name suggests, catnip is commonly given to cats to induce a specific reaction from them.

But what exactly is catnip, where did it originate and what does it do to your cat when she sniffs it? Catnip gives your cat a seemingly harmless “high” when the cat smells it. This affect can be seen to some degree on other animals as well, such as dogs.

What is Catnip? Nepeta is a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. The members of this group are known as catnips or catmints.

Catnip is native to Europe, Asia and Africa, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region east to mainland China. Most types are perennials but some are annuals. It is a tall herb that looks a bit like mint.

Catnip has sturdy stems with opposite heart-shaped, green to grayish-green leaves. The flowers are typically white, blue, pink or lilac and grow in clusters toward the tip of the stems. The flowers are tubular shaped and are spotted with tiny purple dots.

Catnip is used for many things and has even been found to be a good companion plant as it seems to repel pest insects.

Home Remedies using Catnip:

Benefits of Catnip:

Many people are not aware of the fact that catnip has medicinal uses as well. Catnip promotes sweating when used as an herbal tea, so it was often used for the treatment of nervousness, colds, influenza, and fevers during the Middle Ages. It is sometimes still used for this today.

Catnip is also believed to help with the painful bladder condition interstitial cystitis, flatulence, diarrhea, colic, and other childhood diseases, as well as preventing miscarriages, premature births and even morning sickness.

It is also sometimes used as an enema. It is also believed to promote and speed up hair growth, but this has not been proven.

Uses of Catnip:

• As a relaxant or nervine
• As a sedative
• As an antispasmodic
• To alleviate insomnia
• To reduce stress
• To treat colds or bronchitis
• To relieve discomfort from menstrual cramps
• To reduce effects of cough or intestinal discomfort
• Often used in tea
• By consuming the dried leaves
• When used for cats, is available in pre-packaged form
• Extracts

Side Effects of Catnip:

A brief “high” sensation.