Catnip
Natural Healing Herbs
Catnip is known as a cat as marijuana for cats. While this herb has a strong influence on your feline friends, it can also be used as a medicinal herb for humans.
Other Names
It's also called nepeta, catmint, cataria, catrup, cat's heal all, cat's-play, garden nep, field balm, and chi hsueh tsao.
Appearance
This plant has hardy stems and heart-shaped leaves that are green to grayish-green. The plant has a cluster of small flowers at the top that are white, pink, blue or lavender.
Origins
This plant is native to Europe and Asia. Once introduced to North America it grew quite well in the climate and is common there now too.
Parts Used
The leaves are dried and used to make a tea.
Medicinal Uses
This herb acts as a sedative in humans. It can reduce fevers, induce sleep, and get rid of restlessness. It can be used for:
- cold and flu
- headaches
- congestion
- insomnia
- coughing
- upset stomach
- joint pain
- hemorrhoids
- toothache
You can by this herb and many others at Mountain Rose Herbs.
Side Effects and Warnings
This herb shouldn't be taken women who are pregnant or nursing.
If you taking prescription medication, check with your doctor before you start using this herb.
If you found this information useful, check out my complete listing of herbs at my Herb Index. You can find a listing of ailments and their natural treatments on my Free Home Remedies page.
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