Bulk Herbs: Catnip leaf - cut

Excerpts from the book Practical Herbalism

Catnip is one of the traditional cold and flu remedies. It is an excellent diaphoretic, and its ability to induce sleep while producing perspiration without increasing the heat of the system makes it a valuable drink in every case of fever.

As a carminative with antispasmodic properties, the herb also eases any stomach upsets, dyspepsia, flatulence, and colic. Its sedative action on the nerves adds to its generally relaxing properties.

Owing to its gentle nature, catnip is highly prized in the treatment of children's ailments. It is good in colic, anxiety, and nervousness, and is used as a mild nervine. Catnip is an ideal remedy for the treatment of diarrhea in children.

Indicated Usages - Internal:

Indicated Usages - External:

Excerpts from the book Nutritional Herbology

Catnip is a sedative in humans and has traditionally been used to treat insomnia, indigestion, nervousness, amenorrhea, flatulence, coughs, colds and fevers.

Catnip is one of the most popular herbs in stress formulas where it is included for its sedative effect. Perhaps the most popular use of catnip is as an herbal tea consumed just before bedtime. It has a very long list of folk uses which is understandable since it is often difficult to get a good night's sleep in today's fast paced world.

Contains aromatic compounds that have a sedative effect, relieve smooth muscle spasms and induce sweating. It has been used to treat coughs, colds, anxiety, colic, fevers, influenza, lung congestion and nausea.

Excerpts from the book The ABC Herbal

Catnip is another aromatic which many parents have found beneficial for their children. It also stimulates the body, settles the stomach and soothes the nerves. One famous herbal team is the combination of Catnip with Fennel, which has long been used as a remedy for colic, gas, and indigestion in children.

Excerpts from the book The How to Herb Book

• Used effectively for fevers and to alleviate the symptoms of childhood diseases.
• Good for stomach gas or cramps, aids in digestion.
• Used for babies and young children for colic, stomach pains, teething and fevers. Helps clean out mucus in the body.
• Used in enemas to bring down fever, eliminate mucus, relax the colon and ease colon cramping. Catnip enemas also help relieve the aches of flu.
• A very effective enema combination is catnip and garlic together in the same bag. Catnip's usefulness in an enema has been explained, with the powers of garlic (fights infection, eliminates mucus, kills bacteria, viruses and parasites, and improves peristaltic action) the two are a powerful enema combination.

Has been used in the following:

Tid Bits You'll Want to Know:

Cautions: None

Uses: Catnip has many uses internally and externally. We use it often in tea and tincture blends pertaining to any digestive, nervous or sleeping issues. It can be used to benefit men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and nursing) and children. It can be used as often as you would like.

Voice of Experience: Catnip tea administered as enemas or colonics has been a life saver for our little ones.

Storage: The nutrients in Catnip are not very sensitive to air and light exposure. However, like most bulk herbs, it should be kept in an airtight container and stored in a dark, dry, and cool place. Refrigeration or freezing is not necessary. Properly stored, it is useful even after a few years.

Questions?: Check out Frequently Asked Questions about bulk items.

Denise Kerr
April 22, 2008 at 6:29 am    reply?

I have both of these plants growing in my little garden. The catnip grows far more easily than does the cat mint, and I find that my cats far prefer the catnip to the cat mint.
I am happy to learn that I too can benefit from my cultivation efforts!

margaret
May 15, 2008 at 10:24 pm    reply?

I MAKE A TEA WITH OTHER HERBS...MY DAUGHTER DRINKS IT FOR MS..HELPS TO RELAX..SHE HAS TO FIGHT HER CAT FOR IT..HE IS SWATTING AT HER CUP AS SHE DRINKS IT

Anonymous Coward
December 4, 2009 at 3:31 pm    reply?

2 parts Catnip
2 parts Chamomile
1 part Lemon Balm
1 part Peppermint

In a 1/2 pint jar, I put about 1/2 cup of the above mixture, and I topped it with a mixture of 1 part hot water to 4 parts vegtable glycerine to 1/2" from the top. Screw on lid, then place jars on a towel in crockpot. Add hot water to rim of jars and put on Keep Warm for 3 days. Strain.

Jenn
April 16, 2011 at 7:08 pm    reply?

Purchased one pound of this to make a catnip fennel soap. LOL. I did not take into consideration the cats. The cats ate a hole in the box and tried to get the package out. This Catnip leaf is so fresh you (a human) can smell it double wrapped in plastic inside of a carboard box. Thank you for having such a fine product!!