CatnipĀ 100 g ($13.99), 50 g ($9.99), 25 g ($7.99)
Benefits:
Catnip, best known for its peculiar attractiveness to cats, is a carminative (an agent that helps to expel gas) and gastric stimulant in humans. It is used in folk medicine to treat colds, colic, and fevers. It has also been used in nervous disorders and migraines, since it seems to have a calming effect. In England and France, it was a culinary and medicinal herb and was used as a stimulating drink before black tea became popular. Although catnip is typically used as a calming agent, the tea actually seems to have stimulating properties. Some reports have shown that smoking catnip produces a psychedelic effect. Catnip contains constituents that have local anesthetic effects that could cause central nervous system depression or stimulation when absorbed.
Influenza. Catnip teas have long been used in traditional herbal medicine to quell digestive disturbances, especially those accompanying flu or asthma. Catnip stimulates gastric secretions. This aids the movement of food and infection out of the digestive tract, while relaxing tight muscles and generally inducing relaxation. Recent laboratory research has confirmed that catnip is antimicrobial.
Insomnia. Catnip is a potent sleep-inducer for humans. It is often used to help get children to sleep or settle them down. Catnip calms without affecting you the next day.
Recommended Uses
Catnip is usually used as a tea. The bulk herb is available in herb shops and health food stores. The flowers are used for tea and the aerial parts are used for capsules. Tea should be consumed three times a day using about 10 teaspoons in 1 liter of water. Catnip also is available in capsules, which are 380 milligrams per capsule, and are taken as needed. Catnip should not be used during pregnancy. There are no known side effects when used at the correct amounts. Children should only take catnip if they are under the supervision of a pediatrician. There has been a report of a child chewing on a catnip tea bag and developing lethargy and abdominal pain.
Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria
English: Catnip
Also, known as: Nep, Cat’s Wort, Catnep, Katzenkraut, Catswort, Cataire, Nebeda, Catania, Catmint, Chi-hsuch-ts ao
Origin: Ukraine
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Whole plant
General Information:
This perennial herb is naturalized in the United States and found in all parts. The root is perennial and sends up square, erect and branched stems, 2 to 3 feet high, which are very leafy and covered with a mealy down. The square, erect branching stems are covered with fine whitish hairs; leaves 1-2% in Long with heart-shaped or oblong, pointed apex, the top side green with grayish-green and whitish hairs underneath. The flowers grow on short footstalks in dense whorls, which towards the summit of the stem are so close as almost to form a spike Flowering in June to September with the whitish corolla, purple dotted sectioned lips, and lobes make up the conformation of the bloom The calyx tube has fifteen ribs, a distinguishing feature of the genus Nepeta, to which this species belongs
Faintly mint aromatic, with a bitter taste. The plant has an aromatic, characteristic odor, which bears a certain resemblance to that of both Mint and Pennyroyal. The names catnip and catmint are derived from the intense attraction most cats have towards them. It is owing to this scent that it has a strange fascination for cats, who will destroy any plant of it that may happen to be bruised.
In France, the leaves and young shoots are used for seasoning, and it is regularly grown amongst kitchen herbs for the purpose. Both there and in this country, it has an old reputation for its value as a medicinal herb
How to use:
Hot Infusion
The basic method for dried and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!
Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder. You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop molds
Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.