Catnip, Household Herbal Remedy
Other Common Names: Cat-mint, Catmint, Catnep, Inu-Hakka, Nebeda, Nepeta, Yalanci Kediotu, Nepeta cataria
Range: Britain; Spain; Turkey; USA
Habitat: Roadsides and near streams. Hedgerows, borders of
fields, dry banks and waste ground, especially on calcareous and
gravelly soils.
Catnip has a long history of use as a household herbal remedy, being
employed especially in treating disorders of the digestive system and,
as it stimulates sweating, it is useful in reducing fevers. The herbs
pleasant taste and gentle action makes it suitable for treating colds,
flu and fevers in children. It is more effective when used in
conjunction with Elderberry.html">elderflower (Sambucs nigra).
The leaves and flowering tops are strongly antispasmodic,
antitussive, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, slightly
emmenagogue, refrigerant, sedative, slightly stimulant, stomachic and
tonic. The flowering stems are harvested in August when the plant is in
full flower, they are dried and stored for use as required. An infusion
produces free perspiration, it is considered to be beneficial in the
treatment of fevers and colds. It is also very useful in the treatment
of restlessness and nervousness, being very useful as a mild nervine
for children. A tea made from the leaves can also be used. The infusion
is also applied externally to bruises, especially black eyes.
Young leaves - raw. A mint-like flavor, they make an aromatic flavoring in salads.
Older leaves are used as a flavoring in cooked foods. They can
be used fresh or dried to make an aromatic herb tea. The tea should be
infused in a closed container in order to preserve the essential oils,
boiling is said to spoil it.
The plant is said to deter insects such as ants and flea beetles as
well as rats and mice. (The idea behind it being a rat repellent is
probably based on the plants attraction to cats.) A strong infusion can
be used to repel fleas from carpets or the fur of animals. An extract
from the leaves (called nepetalactone) has herbicidal and insect
repellant properties.
The freshly harvested flowering tops contain 0.3 - 1% essential oil
by distillation. It is mainly used for medicinal purposes. The dried
leaves retain their fragrance and can be used in pot-pourri.
Other Common Names: Cat-mint, Catmint, Catnep, Inu-Hakka, Nebeda, Nepeta, Yalanci Kediotu, Nepeta cataria
Range: Britain; Spain; Turkey; USA
Habitat: Roadsides and near streams. Hedgerows, borders of
fields, dry banks and waste ground, especially on calcareous and
gravelly soils.
Catnip has a long history of use as a household herbal remedy, being
employed especially in treating disorders of the digestive system and,
as it stimulates sweating, it is useful in reducing fevers. The herbs
pleasant taste and gentle action makes it suitable for treating colds,
flu and fevers in children. It is more effective when used in
conjunction with Elderberry.html">elderflower (Sambucs nigra).
The leaves and flowering tops are strongly antispasmodic,
antitussive, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, slightly
emmenagogue, refrigerant, sedative, slightly stimulant, stomachic and
tonic. The flowering stems are harvested in August when the plant is in
full flower, they are dried and stored for use as required. An infusion
produces free perspiration, it is considered to be beneficial in the
treatment of fevers and colds. It is also very useful in the treatment
of restlessness and nervousness, being very useful as a mild nervine
for children. A tea made from the leaves can also be used. The infusion
is also applied externally to bruises, especially black eyes.
Young leaves - raw. A mint-like flavor, they make an aromatic flavoring in salads.
Older leaves are used as a flavoring in cooked foods. They can
be used fresh or dried to make an aromatic herb tea. The tea should be
infused in a closed container in order to preserve the essential oils,
boiling is said to spoil it.
The plant is said to deter insects such as ants and flea beetles as
well as rats and mice. (The idea behind it being a rat repellent is
probably based on the plants attraction to cats.) A strong infusion can
be used to repel fleas from carpets or the fur of animals. An extract
from the leaves (called nepetalactone) has herbicidal and insect
repellant properties.
The freshly harvested flowering tops contain 0.3 - 1% essential oil
by distillation. It is mainly used for medicinal purposes. The dried
leaves retain their fragrance and can be used in pot-pourri.
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