None of this is medical advice and all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. Read full disclaimer.
Wait, People Use Catnip?
Catnip is not just for cats. Catnip is for humans too. It wasn’t until I was a full grown adult that I found out it wasn’t strictly for our feline friends. Considering the name of this site is Catnip and Kombucha, it’s only appropriate we talk about that.
Chances are if you own a cat you’ve given them catnip at least once just for the entertainment value. If not, you’re missing out. I don’t know about yours, but my cats turn into complete psychopaths in it’s presence. Then they purr like motors and act like they want belly rubs, but you will lose a finger if you try. Sometimes they just pass out like they’ve been partying all night. I’ve also had cats who couldn’t care less about it.
Something like 30% of cats won’t respond. So I guess you’d say they behave like normal cats. You won’t get high like your cat, I promise. Or I’m sorry. I can probably suggest better things for that. Catnip affects humans differently.
What Is Catnip?
Catnip is a cold hardy perennial plant in the mint family. It has all sorts of nicknames including catmint, and catwort but some of those are different plants and hybrid off-shoots. I’m pretty sure I once bought one called “The Cat’s Pajamas” from the garden center. Today I’m mostly referring to Nepeta Cataria, its botanical name. It is native to Europe and Asia but has naturalized in North America. You can find it growing wild all over New England. It has small soft leaves and a square stem, also resembling mint in appearance. Eventually, it grows clusters of small white flowers.
How is Catnip Good for Humans?
Catnip is a pretty amazing herb for people and I think commonly overlooked. Generally, when I’m turned on to a specific plant it’s because I was looking for something to help an ailment of mine, anxiety in this case. While it is a stimulant for felines it is a mild sedative and antispasmodic in humans.
Catnip helps take the edge off of stress and general restlessness. It’s what I reach for after a long day to transition myself from running around to finally sitting. I’m sipping on some while writing this. It is gentle and relaxing. It can help with insomnia and apparently is also a remedy for mild menstrual cramps but I haven’t tested that out. I find it similar to other calming herbs like lemon balm.
It is stomach-settling and helps with digestion. Try some catnip tea after a meal that just isn’t sitting right, and it will calm down cramping and bloating. Catnip is even gentle enough for our tiny humans and is one of the safest recommendations when practicing herbalism with children.
How To Use Catnip
The easiest way is to make tea with dried or fresh catnip leaves, using about a teaspoon per cup. Bring water to a boil and pour over your catnip and let steep for 5 minutes, or longer for a stronger brew. It has a mild earthy and unique minty flavor. It blends really well with other herbs like lavender or chamomile, and won’t overpower the taste too much. You can also take it in tincture form.
Where To Find Catnip
You can grow your own fairly easily from seeds which I’m doing right now, buy young seedling plants, or cut and dried from a specialty store. I don’t use the catnip from a regular pet store even if it is organic because I’m sure there are different quality standards for animals. Before I grew it I purchased it dried at my local health store/market that sells herbs and spices by the pound. If you’re lucky you might happen upon it in the wild but until then the above choices probably make more sense. I had to buy it when my backyard plants disappeared, roots and all. I’m guessing from the neighborhood cats. Or there is a really high wild bunny somewhere. It does well in pots and I have several this year, away from the cats. It’s available in teabags and loose leaf specifically for humans on Amazon (I mean really what can’t you find on there?) You can even find it in non-tobacco smoking blends or make your own. I’ve still yet to try smoking it but hey there’s a first time for everything. Maybe one of these days I’ll try it. For now I’ll just enjoy my tea.
References and Recommended Reading
- Northeast Medicinal Plants: Identify, Harvest, and Use 111 Wild Herbs for Health and Wellness
- Raised Naturally: A Parent’s Guide to Herbal Medicine From Newborn to Adolescence Step by Step
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