Catnip

Catnip

Labiatae

The other names of the plant are catnep, catmint, cat’s play, catrup, catwort, nip, nep, and field balm.
The flowering tops of the plant are used in medicine. 

Catnip (Nepata cataria) is a member of the mint family (Labiatae). It is a perennial herb that grows up to 3 feet. The root sends up square, erect, and branched stems which are very leafy and are covered with a downy gray hair. The leaves are heart-shaped and toothed and covered with a soft, close down (especially on the undersides). This gives the plant a hoary, grayish-green appearance, as though dust has blown over it.

All cat lovers would concur that catnip is attractive to cats. Though the response of the cat depends upon the breed, the ones that do enjoy catnip the most are sent into a state of kittenish friskiness. Catnip acts as a stimulant for cats, but it can also be relaxing for humans.

The plant secretes an aromatic oil, which bears a resemblance to that of mint, to ward off insects that would otherwise eat its leaves. The odor of this oil has a strange fascination for cats, who would destroy the plant with their ecstatic rolling and rubbing. The response to catnip consists of sniffing, followed by licking and chewing with head shaking, then chin and cheek rubbing, and finally a headover roll and body rubbing.

Medicinal Benefits
1. The leaves of catnip have traditionally been chewed as a remedy for alleviating toothaches. 
2. The inhabitants of Southern Appalachia have used it since the eighteenth century as a remedy for cold. 
3. Tea made from catnip has been used to relieve intestinal cramps and gas discomforts. 
4. Recent researches show that consumption of teas containing catnip has anti-cholinergic effects.
5. Catnip has been used for relief of insomnia and prevention of nightmares, and has a mild anti-spasmodic effect and is used to treat cramps. 
6. The juice from the leaves was used to stimulate menstrual flow. 
7. It has been used in the treatment of children’s ailments, such as colicky pain, flatulence and restlessness. 
8. The herb has also been used as a cold remedy, for hives, as a diaphoretic, a refrigerant and an anodyne.