Catmint
Nepeta Cataria, Catnip
Usage:
- To make a strong tea, use about 25 grams on 1 litre of water. Boil it shortly and let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain and add sugar or honey to taste.
How does it work?
- Compounds in Catmint have a calming effect.
Catmint is a flowering plant. The flowering tops are used to make medicine.
Catmint is used for trouble sleeping (insomnia); anxiety; migraine and other headaches; cold and other upper respiratory infections; flu swine flu; fever; hives; worms; and gastrointestinal (GI) upset, including indigestion, colic, cramping, and gas (flatulence). It is also used as a tonic, for increasing urination, and for starting menstrual periods in giris with delayed onset of menstruation.
Some people apply catmint directly to the skin for arthritis, hemorrhoids, and as a compress to relieve swelling.
Some people also smoke catmint medicinally for respiratory conditions and recreationally for a "high".
In manufacturing, catmint is used as a pesticide and insecticide.
Side effects:
- Catmint is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in small amounts. Cupful amounts of catmint tea have been consumed without seriousside effects However, catmint is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when smoked or taken by mouth in high doses (many cups of catnip tea, for example).
- It can cause headaches, vomiting, and a feeling of being ill.
- Not enough is known about the safety of applying catmint directly to the skin.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
- Children: Catmint is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for children when taken by mouth. There has been report of a child experiencing stomach pain, irritability, and sluggishness after taking catmint leaves and tea.
- Pregnancy, and breast-feeding: It is LIKELY UNSAEE to use take catmint during pregnancy. There is some evidence that catnip can stimulate the uterus. This might cause a miscarriage.
- There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking catmint if you are breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side, and avoid use.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Women with PID should avold using catmint because it can start menstruation.
- Heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia): Because catmint can cause menstruation, it might make heavy menstrual periods worse.
- Surgery: Catmint seems to be able to slow down the central nervous system (CNS), causing sleepiness and other effects. Anesthesia and some other drugs used during and after surgery also slow down the CNS. There is a concern that using catnip along with these drugs might slow down the CNS too much. Stop using catmint at least two weeks beforea scheduled surgery.
Do not use with:
- Lithium, CNS depressants, clonazeparh (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and other such products.
