Catnip Overview Belonging to the mint family, Catnip is a perennial herb that has been used extensively for human illness, and is more recently being used to treat pets. The plant was first found in Europe and was supposedly introduced into North America by European settlers. It is rare in Ireland but frequent in most other parts of the U.K and is commonly found throughout temperate Asia. Also known as Catmint, Catwort and field balm, it is found abundantly in hedges, roadsides and stream banks. 
Uses and Benefits of Catnip Catnip was originally used by humans as a poultice, or in the form of tea, juice and tinctures. Catnip tea was a common beverage before the advent of the Chinese tea. Catnip was used because of its famed soothing and hallucinogenic effects. It was once used to treat hysteria, headaches that rose out of stress and tension, and insanity. It was also used as an effective sleep aid for its calming effect in case of migraines, fevers, colds, arthritis and even hemorrhoids. It fell out of favor after more effective drugs were discovered. Catnip was also a common treatment for colic in babies, common colds and stomach ailments. Its carminative effects help reduce flatulence. It was even recommended for use with saffron to cure scarlet fever. Catnip is a woman-friendly herb. It has been used to induce menstruation. Ironically, it is also supposed to aid reproduction and assist in conceiving. The soothing effect of the herb helps relieve the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps. More recently, Catnip is used to control the behavior of wild and domesticated cats. The plant appears to have a pleasurable effect on them and is supposed to make cats “amorous and frolicsome”.
Catnip aids digestion by soothing the muscles in the digestive tract. A cup of Catnip tea after food will help people who have a tendency for heartburn. While Catnip can induce excitement in cats, for human, the opposite seems to be true. It can safely be added to tea to cure anxiety caused by stress or to allay discomfort caused by pain, cold, flu or fever. Catnip has been prescribed as a tranquilizer and has been prescribed for respiratory problems and to aid indigestion. Catnip Cautions While Catnip is not known for any particularly intense or distressing side effects, it may be contraindicated in pregnancy because of some of its stimulant activities. Women suffering from gynecological problems are generally advised to keep away from it because it can induce menstrual flow. Catnip may interact with other sedatives. It may also have adverse effects on people who use alcohol or drugs. Growing Catnip Belonging to the ‘mint’ family, Catnip is almost as easy to grow as mint. Actually, once planted the herb tends to get invasive and needs to be cordoned off. It prefers plenty of sunlight and a sandy soil. It can easily be grown from seed. If you have cats at home, it is advisable to shelter the plant otherwise it will be ravaged by inquisitive pets.
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