{"id":4652,"date":"2020-09-08T21:24:51","date_gmt":"2020-09-08T21:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/?p=4652"},"modified":"2020-09-09T00:16:08","modified_gmt":"2020-09-09T00:16:08","slug":"herbal-interlude-catnip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/herbal-interlude-catnip\/","title":{"rendered":"An Herbal Interlude with Catnip"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Catnip - Nepeta cataria<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Family - Lamiaceae, the mint family<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Common Names<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Catnip is also commonly called Catmint, Catswort,\u00a0 Catnep, and Field Balm<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Catnip was one of the first plants I found when I first moved to South Dakota.\u00a0 I remember being so pleased.\u00a0 Living on the road for 15 or 20 years so many herbs had to be purchased.\u00a0 The big surprise was how abundant Catnip was in the area.\u00a0 A native to the Black Hills region, it was everywhere.\u00a0 \u00a0With great delight I began deepening my relationship with the plant through exploration, experimentation and use.<\/p>

When using plants as medicine it’s all about relationship.\u00a0 The more comfortable we are with the energy and uses of each plant, the better and more effectively we can employ them.\u00a0 \u00a0I like to do this one plant at a time.<\/p>

Catnip isn’t a new plant.\u00a0 It’s another of those herbs that’s been used for centuries.\u00a0 \u00a0Gentle enough for children and infants, yet potent enough for adults.\u00a0 No wonder our fore-mothers used it so often.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Description<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Catnip is a member of the mint family.\u00a0 Usually growing between 2 to 3 feet tall, it can be fount up to 6 feet tall in ideal conditions. The plant has the typical square stems and alternate leaves of the mint family.\u00a0<\/p>

The flowers appear in swirls of white to light pink terminal flower clusters.\u00a0 Although sometimes they are darker in color with violet or purple markings.\u00a0 Catnip usually flowers in late spring or early summer.\u00a0 If trimmed they can be brought to flower up to three times in a season, depending on the weather and conditions.<\/p>

The whole plant is covered with a soft downy felt.\u00a0 Giving the plant a slightly gray green hue, especially on the undersides of the leaves. The leaves are triangular, lightly heart shaped near the stem and roundly serrated along the edges.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Catnip has a distinctive smell that is lightly minty with an unusual after smell. Once you\u2019ve experienced it, you won\u2019t forget it. It\u2019s this peculiar smell that drives cats crazy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"catnip\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Part Used<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Arial parts are harvested when the plant is just beginning to flower. Cut the whole above ground portion 2\/3 down, leaving 1\/3 of the plant untouched. Tie in bunches and hang upside down to dry. Once dried discard the stems.<\/p>

Fresh plant tinctures or extracts can be made with freshly harvested plants.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Click here for more information about herbal tinctures, extracts and glycerites.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Primary Chemical Constituents of Catnip<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Catnip has a varied and complex chemistry that includes nepetalactones, essential oil, caryophyllene, caryophyllene-oxide, rosmarinic acid, humulenes, farnesenes, piperitone, thymol-methyl-ether, camphor and more.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Medicinal Properties<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, nervine, sedative, diaphoretic and astringent.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Medicinal Uses of Catnip<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Catnip is a classic children\u2019s remedy used to treat colds, flu, fever, anxiety, stomachache, restlessness, flatulence, diarrhea, colic and sore throat. It is safe and effective for children, babies and nursing mothers.\u00a0 Although not recommended for during pregnancy because it can encourage the menstrual flow.<\/p>

For adults catnip works as a gentle relaxant to sooth the nerves, settle the digestive system, and relieve cramping due to lower abdominal distress or menstruation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Internally, Catnip tea, tincture or glycerite acts as a reliable mild sedative.\u00a0 Effective for children even at their fussiest.\u00a0 Especially when they are ill or upset.<\/p>

Combine Catnip with fennel for stomach upset or colic.\u00a0 Or with Elder flowers and Yarrow to bring down a fever.\u00a0 A mixture of Elder flowers, Yarrow and Catnip is supportive at the first sign of any infection or eruptive kind of illness like chicken pox.\u00a0 Catnip mixes nicely with Lavender flowers, Chamomile and Lemon Balm for the fussy and over stimulated infant of toddler.\u00a0 Although, I have also used this on temperamental teenagers with good success.<\/p>

A nice teething formula can be made as a tincture with Chamomile, Catnip, Lemon Balm, Lavender.\u00a0 Give the suffering person about 20 drops as often as every 2 hours to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with teething.\u00a0 \u00a0As a bonus the child also gets a little rest, as does the mother.\u00a0<\/p>

Catnip tea or tincture can be taken by a nursing mother to help relieve colic for her baby.\u00a0 Plus she gets a little relief herself.<\/p>

Catnip alone or combined with fennel, and rose hips or rose flowers is a lovely remedy for diarrhea for child or adult.<\/p>

When used externally, catnip is par excellence as an insect repellent. Mixed with Pennyroyal herb and Geranium it will repel just about anything that\u2019s bothering you. I like to keep Catnip and Pennyroyal planted around the front yard and in the garden to deter the mosquitoes, flies and other pests.<\/p>

The infused oil used externally or in the bath to helps ease achy muscles.\u00a0 To help relieve colic and stomach cramps in fussy babies try massaging catnip infused oil or applying an herbal infusion as a compress to the abdomen.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Preparations an Dosage Suggestions<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Catnip is an extremely versatile herb.\u00a0 And it is available in a variety of preparations, with tea, infusion, tincture, infused oil and glycerites are probably the most popular.\u00a0 Catnip essential oil is available if you look for it.\u00a0 However, the essential oil tends to cause skin sensitivity or dermatitis in children and susceptible adults.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

The tea is made by steeping 1 tablespoon of dry herb per cup of boiling water.\u00a0 Leave covered for 10 to 15 minutes then strain. The suggested dosage for infants is 10 to 30 drops.\u00a0 Or up to 3 cups per day for older children. Give 10 to 30 drops of the tincture up to 4 times per day.<\/p>

To find our more about herbal teas and infusions click here to view our free class “Nourishing Teas”.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Catnip Products Available at Wonderment Gardens.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Below is a list of products at Wonderment Gardens that contain garden grown and harvested Catnip.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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