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Catnip
(Nepeta cataria)
COMMON NAMES: Catmint, catnip, catrup, catswort, field balm.
MEDICINAL PART: The herb.
DESCRIPTION: Catnip is a perennial herb of the mint family. It is erect, square branching stem is hairy and grows from 3 to 5 feet high. The oblong or cordatem pointed leaves have scalloped edges and gray or whitish hairs on the lower side. The bilaiate flowers are white with purple spots and grow in spikes from June to September.
PROPERTIES AND USES: Anodyne, anrispasmodic, aromatic, carminspasms, diaphoretic. Make catnip tea for upset stomach, colic, spasms, flatulence, and acid. It can also be used for an enema. Popular uses in Europe are for chronic bronchitis and for diarrhea.
Catnip is one of the oldest household remedies. It is wonderful for very small children and infants. Use the tea as an injection for children in convulsions. Very useful in pain of any kind, spasms, wind colic, excellent to allay gas, acids, in stomach and bowels, prevent griping. A tbsp steeped in a pint of water used as an enema is soothing and quieting, and very effective in insanity, fevers, expelling worms in children; also fits. A high enema of catnip will relieve hysterical headaches. It is good to restore menstrual secretions.
PREPARATION AND DOSES:
Infusion: Use 1 tsp. herb with 1 cup boiling water. Steep only: so not allow to boil. Take 1 to 2 cups daily.
Tincture: Take 1/2 to 1 tsp at a time.
