The Catnip Plant

( Western Herb )

LATIN NAME:

Nepeta cataria

The Catnip plant is also known as Catnep, Catrup, Catmint, Catswort and Field balm.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Catnip plant is a perennial in the mint family. It is medium sized shrubby plant that grows from 1 to 3 feet high.

It has erect branching stems and coarse hairy leaves that are gray-green, with serrated edges.

The whole plant is covered in fine, soft, whitish down, particularly the underside of the leaves. The flowers, whitish with lilac spots, grow in whorls in upper leaf axils from midsummer to autumn and has a mint-like odor.

The aroma has a strange, stimulating effect on cats. However, on humans, it has a rather calming effect rather than a stimulating effect. Catnip tea dates back to medieval England and was brought to North American and adopted by the Native American’s for treating colds and fever. Cherokee Indians used the catnip plant for spasms, colds, coughs, hives, boils, and to rid the body of worms.

In modern herbal medicine, herbal practitioners recommend this herb for headaches, especially if they are related to digestive upsets. It is also considered helpful for arthritis, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, and allergies. Because of its mild sedative effects, it has been suggested for treating ADHD in children.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* diarrhea in children

* easing digestion

* upset stomachs

* colic

* colds and fever

* influenza

* insomnia

* arthritis and rheumatism

* hemorrhoids

* eye inflammation

* allergies

* menstrual cramps

* the eruption of measles and chickenpox

* ADHD

Apply externally for:

* cuts and scrapes

PREPARATION AND DOSAGE:

Over the counter: The Catnip plant is available in dried bulk flowers and leaves, tincture, and tea bags at health food stores.

Tincture: Take 1/2 to 1 tsp. at a time

Capsules: Take 1 to 3 capsules daily.

Extract: Mix 1/2 to 1 tsp. in 1/2 cup warm water and drink as a tea.

At home:

Infusion: Pour one cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoonfuls of dried leaves and let steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink this three times a day.

Parts used: Leaves and flowering tops

Collection: The leaves and flowering tops are gathered between early summer and early Fall.

Constituents: Volatile oils, bitter principle, tannins

Actions: Diaphoretic, sedative, astringent, anti-spasmodic

Combinations: can be combined with Boneset, Elder, Yarrow and Cayenne for colds.

SIDE EFFECTS:

Not serious:

* This herb can cause an upset stomach. If this does occur, discontinue use.

* It should be avoided during pregnancy.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

The Catnip plant is one of the herbs that I have used and have had tremendous results with. When my son was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 8 ½ years of age, he was on crutches and so ill he just laid on the couch.

The steroid medicine he was taking made him sick to his stomach, so the doctor prescribed another medicine to coat his stomach so he could take the other medicine. I stop giving him the medicine and did a three day detox on him. This consisted of a Catnip enema on day one and day three of the detox.

All I gave him to eat were fresh organic fruits and fruit juices for the three days. After the first day he seemed so much better and after the three days, he was up walking around and playing just as if nothing was wrong. We have used natural medicine ever since.