Catnip Also Known As Cat Mint

Catnip ( Nepeta cataria )

Catnip is also known as catmint.
Catnip tea is a herbal tea, or tisane, made from the leaves and flowers of the catnip plant.
Catnip’s scientific name is nepeta cataria. It’s also known as ‘catmint,’ but the tea doesn’t have a very ‘minty’ flavour.

Catmint ( Nepeta  x  faassenii )

Catnip (nepeta cataria)
while both are perennials and members of the Labiatae family, catnip is considered less showy than its sister catmint (nepeta x faassenii), the former having white flowers on 1 to 3 feet stalks. It is also more inclined to attract cats to your garden.

The struggle between cats and catnip growers has been raging for centuries, so if you have cats in the area, you’ll want to apply some method to keep them from rolling over the plant and destroying it. Two methods that have proven effective are placing 18-inch dowels or bamboo stakes inside the plant, or making a chicken wire cover so the plant can grow through it.

A member of the mint family, catnip is native to much of Europe and Asia and, is widely cultivated all over the world. The actual plant has velvety greyish-green leaves with white flowers (catmint, nepeta faassenii, has lavender flowers and is considered more of a garden ornamental than catnip). For cats, it is usually sold dried and crumbled. This preparation has no effect on humans, but extracts of the plant have been used for centuries to soothe any number of ailments.

catnip tea recipe for cats

Catnip also can be used for tea. The presence of a chemical called nepetalactone produces sedative-like effects in humans, making catnip a popular home remedy for headaches as well as insomnia. To make catnip tea, add one teaspoon of dried catnip leaves or three to four teaspoons of fresh catnip leaves to a mug of boiling water and let it steep. As a pet lover, I get much more enjoyment out of watching cats enjoy catnip. Weird nature’s video of cats catching a whiff of the plant is pretty entertaining. I also like to partake in a bit of digital catnip, courtesy of sites like lolcats or book. My feline-loving friends also may want to bookmark the animal planet’s secret society of cat people site, although it’s not so secret anymore.

Cats are pretty sure they rule the world. Sometimes I think they only let me believe I am in charge. I am not even sure if this tea was my idea or an idea planted in my mind by my cats. I drink tea almost daily and I usually have a cat staring at me while I drink it. Since cats love catnip, which is just a herb, I made some catnip tea for my kitties and they loved it.

My Three Favorite Ways to Use Catnip on Humans

In tea facts
Catnip belongs to the mint family and is famous for its effects on felines. You might be surprised to know that the herb also benefits people in many ways. Tea enthusiasts may brew tea for health or recreational purposes. It is known to help relieve conditions such as stress, insomnia, fever, and cold. This herb is native to Europe, although it has become common in other parts of the world for its benefits to humans and cats. Before we discuss the many catnip tea health benefits, let’s first look at the history of its usage.

How to make homemade catnip spray put your water on for boiling – either with a tea kettle or a plain ol’ pot. Easy catnip tea recipe. You will find your cat rolling and turning on the floor. Steep catnip in hot ( not quite boiling ) water for about 6 minutes. Catnip tea recipe. Posted on Apr 9, 2015. Catnip history, folklore, literature & more catnipâitâs not just for cats catnip is named after its ability to enrapture feline friends. But don’t confuse the herb catmint with catnip. Catnip tea side effects are minimal and mild if existent at all, however. Catnip is not just for cats. 5. Kit tea catnip cat toys. Catnip herbal tea is made from the leaves and flowers of the common catnip plant (nepeta cataria), also known as catmint, catswort, field balm, catrup, catnep and catâs-play.

Catnip Is For People Too!

As a pet lover, I get much more enjoyment out of watching cats enjoy catnip. Weird nature’s video of cats catching a whiff of the plant is pretty entertaining. I also like to partake in a bit of digital catnip, courtesy of sites like lolcats or our site catniputopia.com. My feline-loving friends also may want to bookmark the animal planet’s secret society of cat people site, although it’s not so secret anymore. Enjoy!.

Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for a week or in the freezer for up to three months. Make a batch, cheaper than store-bought. Made into a tea, catnip has calming properties similar to chamomile. Stir in yoghurt, egg, honey, and vegetable oil. *live plant (wheatgrass or catnip) *dried catnip *burlap *teacup with saucer *hot glue and glue gun *twine *scissors *sharpie oil paint marker (optional) how to make the catnip teabags: for each catnip teabag that you want to make (i recommend making 2-4 per cat) you’ll need to: cut 2 teabags sized rectangles out of burlap. ***** spray bottles. What you need for your homemade catnip spray. See more ideas about cats, alley cat, crazy cats.

Health Benefits of Catnip Tea

Catnip tea has been used to treat a whole range of health problems — from colicky babies to indigestion to sore throats to headaches to anxiety. Like many herbal teas, sipping catnip tea can be an excellent way to relax at the end of the day— especially since catnip is thought to help with insomnia. Like most herbs, there aren’t many scientific studies on catnip, so even though it doesn’t seem to have many known side effects– talk with your doctor before drinking catnip tea medicinally or if you’re pregnant.

Does Catnip Have Any Side Effects?

The catnip plant has iridoid glycosides, which is responsible for soothing effects on humans. Due to the herb’s effect, herbalists have made catnip tea for centuries to treat anxiety. It also contains potent nervine properties, the reason it’s considered to be highly effective for patients of Parkinson disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and nervousness related anxiety. Drinking catnip tea can help relieve tension headaches and bring about relaxation. It can also reduce anxiety and stress.

Catnip is possibly safe for adults when used in small amounts. Cupful amounts of catnip tea are unlikely to cause side effects. However, it is important to avoid smoking the herb as this may result in other side effects. Also, you should avoid drinking more than 3 cups of catnip or taking the herb in high doses. Doing this may cause headaches and a feeling of being ill. For children, the herb is not recommended in large amounts as it may cause sluggishness. It is also not recommended for pregnant women as it may stimulate the uterus and cause miscarriage. There is unreliable information about whether catnip is safe for breastfeeding women, which is why you should keep off this tea if you are breastfeeding or pregnant.

The Effects of Catnip on Your Cat

Now for the science stuff, if we put these health benefits under the microscope, how do they stack up? well, catnip contains nepetalactone, which is one of the compounds responsible for the sedating effects of valerian. That’s promising and suggests it should work to an extent, but it’s not as strong. Also, because of the diuretic effect and the risk of uterine contraction, catnip tea is not recommended during the initial stages of pregnancy. Some teas like this are recommended late on to induce labour, but there is little evidence to suggest that they work and we wouldn’t recommend it unless you have consulted with a medical expert first (i. E. Someone other than a bunch of writers who happen to like tea).

Some of the surprising benefits of catnip tea include its use in soothing pain, easing sleep, reducing stomach discomfort, moderating stress levels, eliminating colic, boosting the immune system, preventing headaches and lessening menstruation symptoms. Although there are many positive effects, catnip tea can also cause excess urination, drowsiness, and heavy menstrual bleeding, particularly when consumed in excess.

Foods that are Dangerous or Toxic to Cats

An aromatic perennial herb native to central Europe and now naturalized throughout the northeastern us and Canada catnip, along with chamomile, is an excellent choice to help get through the moodiness that comes along with teething. (check all that apply), what factors are most important to you? a catnip “high” can be great fun for your cat and you, so it’s a good idea to only provide this treat no more than about once a week. Catnip and fennel is a lifesaver I gave it to my youngest who is now 17 when she was colicky it was like she was a totally different baby within mins it calmed her tummy, my mom gave it to me as an infant and now I am looking for it to give my grandbaby.

Human Foods to Avoid Giving to Cats

Topical catnip applications (like the tea bath) may soothe your cat’s skin and reduce shedding. Yes, it’s possible for a cat to overdose on the herb, but it’s not common because domesticated cats tend to know when they’ve had enough. Yes, it is considered safe and non-toxic for cats, which is why you often see it in cat toys. Nepetalactone, the active compound in the plant, can ease irritation and stop itchiness. The product may leave behind a sticky residue, so it might be best to use outdoors. Catnip is not the sole reserve of felines. Catnip tea health benefits. Catnip, more formally known as nepeta cataria, comes from the Plantae kingdom. Catnip is actually the name for a herb of the mint family.

Suggestions on Treating Your Cat in a Healthy Way

How to use catnip

It is a must to use all of these as the mosquitos out there are brutal here in San Diego! headaches and migraines. I still get confused looks. I have no idea how to use this stuff. When you know how to use catnip in home herbal remedies it becomes so much more than just a curious addition to your herb garden to please your feline friends. If you only have one or two cats in your home then this instinct will likely be suppressed. If it’s for catnip tea, or for your cat’s pleasure, then you will want to strip the leaves and blooms from the stalks. There has not been a great deal of research in this area, but many herbalists and naturalists report that headache and migraine relief is possible with the use of catnip.

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