Jan 10 2009
10 Uses for Catnip
Catnip isn’t just for cats. A perennial herb from the mint family catnip is a useful medicinal herb that can treat all kinds of maladies. It is very easy to grow in the home garden or indoors in pots year round.
The following are 10 easy ways to use catnip;
1- Catnip tea soothes coughs.
2- Can be used as a mild sedative or sleep aid.
3- Catnip is useful for calming the digestive track.
4- Catnip essential oil can be used as an effective insect repellent.
5- Fresh catnip leaves can be added as a delicious addition to salads.
6- A good tonic herb for regulating the menstrual cycle and also for the relief of pain from menstrual cramps.
7- There are 4 popular varieties of catnip available besides common catnip; camphor, mint, lemon and Greek.
8- Effective in treating asthma and bronchitis (as an infusion, extract or even smoked).
9- Catnip can be given as a tea mixed with breast milk to infants suffering from colic.
10- Chewing the fresh leaf can help relive pain from a toothache.
Catnip is most commonly used as an infusion (tea). Steep 1 oz of dried herb (or 2 ounces crushed fresh) in a tea ball with 1 quart of boiling water. Let steep covered for 5 minutes. Sweeten and add milk to taste if desired. Drink 1-2 cups.
It can also be used as a tincture.
