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Information About The Herb Catnip
Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria
Plant Family: Labiatae which includes Mints and Deadnettles
Common Names: Catmint, Catnep, Nep
Origin: A wild English plant, mainly in the central and southern counties, less common in Northern England, localized in Scotland and rare in Ireland, everywhere in Europe and temperate Asia.
History: Before the use of tea from China the English peasantry brewed Catnip Tea
Tradition: Cats are fascinated by the aroma of the plant
Medicinal Parts Used: Leaves, herb, flowering tops
Catnip is used for:
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
- mild sedative for children
- hysteria
- insanity
- nervous headaches
- nervousness
- nightmares
- restlessness
Female Conditions
- infertility in women
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- colic
- relieves pain of flatulence (gas/wind)
Respiratory Tract Conditions
- colds
- coughs
Other
- children's ailments
- pain relief
- scarlet fever (combined with Saffron)acts upon the Sacral Plexus
Externally used as an ointment, poultice or fomentation:
- it will relieve hemorrhoids
- it will relieve painful swellings
- it will reduce bruising
It is used as a wash on:
- head sores
- scurf
Action:
- antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
- carminative [an agent for easing griping pains, colic and expelling gas from the intestines]
- diaphoretic [an agent that promotes perspiration]
- emetic (in large doses) [an agent that causes vomiting]
- emmenagogue (mild) [an agent that promotes menstrual flow]
- nervine (mild) especially on children [an agent that has a calming or soothing effect on the nerves, any agent
- that acts on the nervous system to restore the nerves to their natural state]
- refrigerant [an agent that lowers abnormal body heat, relieves thirst and gives a feeling of coolness]
- sedative (mild) [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
- stimulant (mild) [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
Catnip has special properties of producing free perspiration and is helpful in fevers by inducing sleep and producing perspiration without increasing heat to the body.
Global Herbal Supplies has Catnip (also known as catmint) available in the following forms
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
