North American Indian simple herbal remedy from a common weed found in abouts your gardens and woods. Very easily grown, the bees will bless you for growing it about your house, as it will scare the rats away. A free herb to all. Another "wild eatable plant" to collect on herbal walks to know and to store for winter or famine.http://earthsorganicnews.blogspot.com/2011/06/native-americans-most-powerful-medicine.html <--Plantain
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is also known by the names Catmint, Catnep and Catnap, Catrup, Cat’s wort, Field balm, Cat, Nip and Nepeta. The genus name, Nepeta cataria, comes from Nepeti, a Roman town where this herb was first cultivated.The herb is named catnip because of the peculiar behaviour of cats when they get a whiff of its strong minty scent. (mint family) All through-out history, this herb has been used in humans to produce a sedative effect. Traditional herbalists have treated other conditions like cancer, toothache and corns with catnip.
•Catnip does not just intoxicate domestic felines: large cats, such as lions and jaguars, are also susceptible to its effects. Like many botanical, it has many excellent nutritional properties.
History of Medicinal Uses;
Catnip is a sedating/stimulating herb which is rich in volatile oils and which can also tonify or nourish. The primary chemical constituents of catnip include essential oils (carvacrol, citronella, geraniol, nepetol, nepetelactone, pulegone, thymol), iridoids and tannins. It also contains iron, selenium, potassium, manganese, chromium and moderate amounts of other minerals & vitamins.
Catnip has a substance called nepetalactone, which is similar to valerian. The herb is anti-inflammatory and has mild antibiotic properties. In addition, it relieves stress or pain (anodyne) and is diaphoretic (increases sweating).
+ Stimulates the appetite
+ When smoked, leaves give mild euphoria with no harmful effects.
+ Hair rinse for scalp irritations
+ Controls and reduces fever and will help soothe feverish chills
+ Catnip contains antispasmodic properties that are ideal for treating abdominal and menstrual cramping, as well as chronic coughing.
+ Carminative herb: aids digestion, constipation, calms upset stomachs, relieves diarrhea, flatulence and indigestion
•Particularly good for children with upset stomachs in a very mild infusion.
•Bath herb for colic
•Catnip tea for upset stomach, colic, spasms, flatulence and acid.
+ It is a stronger nervine (relaxing herb): Catnip is good for nervous conditions, relieves stress, good for anxiety and nervousness, induces relaxation: drink catnip or chamomile tea (infants or adults)
•Soothes nervous headaches
•Bath herb for stress
+ Epilepsy
+ Eyewash for inflammation, allergies and bloodshot eyes
+ Hiccup remedy
+ Catnip’s antibiotic and astringent properties are also beneficial for treating colds and bronchial infections (chronic bronchitis): keeps colds at bay; catnip tea helps reduce mucus
+ The flu
+ For a stimulating state of mind
+ Relaxes the muscles
+ Heals minor tissue injuries
•To treat minor mishaps that occur in the garden, press some crushed catnip leaves on cuts and scrapes until you are able to get inside to wash and bandage your injury.
+ Helpful for pain: soothes headaches and reduces migraine pain
•Use as a poultice for toothache
•Bath herb for teething
•As a compress or poultice for pain, sprains and bruises
•Salve for hemorrhoids
+ Liniment for arthritis and rheumatism
+ Enema to cleanse the colon
+ Compress or poultice for insect bites
+ Boils and carbuncles
•Poultices made of ground flax seed, peach tree leaves, catnip leaves or roasted onion and applied hot will draw out the infection.
+ Aids sleep, insomnia, ensuring a restful sleep
•Sweet dreams and peaceful nights: place catnip under your pillow.
•Healing dreams: drink tea-potion made from catnip or mint
CAUTION *** Avoid during pregnancy!
*Catnip is a gentle herb and makes a suitable drink for children.
Catnip prevents mosquito bites
•Undiluted catnip oil can provide up to two hours of insect repellent properties when applied directly to the skin. Research in 2001 showed that catnip oil repels mosquitoes ten times better than DEET. Further research showed that depending on the species of mosquito, protection lasted for up to four hours. The active ingredient in catnip oil is called nepetalactone.
***Nepetalactone can cause skin irritations to those with sensitivities, so a patch test is recommended.
+ The root and leaf scent, mint with cat pheromone overtones, intoxicates cats and repels rats and flea beetles.
•Catnip tea can be used effectively as a drink and also as an enema.
◦To make catnip tea, use 2 teaspoons of the dried herb per cup of boiling water.
Steep for 10 to 20 minutes; then strain and drink. *Do not boil catnip as boiling dissipates the herb’s healing oil.
Drink up to 3 cups daily.
Catnip and rosemary mosquito chasing oil
Makes about 2 cups.
2 cups catnip, stemmed
1 cup rosemary, cut in 6-inch sprigs
2 cups grape seed oil or any light body-care oil
Roll herbs lightly with a rolling pin and pack into a clean jar. Cover with oil, seal jar and place in a cool, dark cupboard for two weeks.
Shake jar lightly every day or so for two weeks. Strain into a clean jar, seal and refrigerate for up to 8 months unused.
To use, rub on exposed skin.
Herbal Tea Recipe for Aches and Pain.
1 Tablespoon – White Willow Bark.
1 Tablespoon – Catnip
Put into a Tea ball and steep in boiling hot water for five minutes.
Drink as hot as you can stand it; then lie down for a nap.
Use Essential Oils to Prevent Mosquito Bites: Catnip, Clove, Neem and Lemon Oil i.e.
Other wild eatable plants links;
http://earthsorganicnews.blogspot.com/2010/03/chicory-drink-wild-herb.html
http://earthsorganicnews.blogspot.com/2008/11/burdock-yellow-dock-remedies.html
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