Catnip Herbal Remedies

Catnip tea is useful for colds, flu, and fevers, especially in children. It is also given for stomachaches, headaches, and hyperactivity. The tea has mildly calming, sweat-releasing, and digestion-promoting effects. For adults, it is slightly sedative and digestive. It has demonstrated a mild sleep-promoting effect in some laboratory tests. Cats are highly stimulated by the herb. Catnip has a taste of SPICY, AROMATIC and a temperature of COOL.

Catnip Proper Dose

TypeDossage
Catnip Infusion1 cup 2-3 x daily
Catnip Tincture1/2 to 1 teaspoon in a little water or juice

Catnip Reference Information

Latin NameNepeta cataria
Other NamesCatmint
Part UsedLeaf
Herb FormsBulk herb.
AffectsNervous system, Respiratory system
CautionsAvoid in large doses during pregnancy.
Botanical InfoAn aromatic herbaceous perennial in the mint family with ovate round-toothed leaves and whorls of white to pink flowers.

Supporting Research

Leung, A. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.

McGuffin, M. et al. 1997. Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Felter, H.W. and J.U. Lloyd. 1983. (1898). King's Dispensatory. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Weiss, R. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers.

Wren, R.C. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs. Essex: C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd.

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