What is catnip and how does it affect your cat?
Catnip is a plant—known scientifically as Nepeta cataria —that is a member of the mint family. The active ingredient is called nepetalactone, which many domestic cats respond to in a variety of different ways. (Fun fact: It affects big cats like lions and tigers as well.) The plant produces this chemical (nepetalactone) in microscopic bulbs ...
Can a human get high from smoking catnip?
Yes! you can most certainly get high off catnip. Im 14 and I smoke weed on a daily bases. and i tryed smoking catnip and it worked but i had to smoke like 5 joints of it to get high. the effect is not as powerful. but if you want to enhance the experience, equally mix the catnip with tobacco.
Why does catnip only affect cats?
McCarthy, the four stages include:
- Sniffing
- Licking and chewing with head shaking
- Chin and cheek rubbing
- Head overrolling and body rubbing
What is catnip used for besides cats?
Catnip can be used in veterinary clinics, shelters, and foster homes in addition to a cat's own home to help lower stress levels. Catnip is non-toxic to cats. Catnip is non-toxic to cats. Although rare, overindulgence can cause vomiting or diarrhea, so you may want to limit your cat's exposure if she's overly interested.
Is catnip edible for humans?
Fresh catnip leaves can be eaten in salads or just nibbled off the plant. But the flavor is strong, kinda like mint, so use it sparingly. If you're interested in treating your family with herbs, catnip would make a beautiful and useful addition to your flower bed or herb garden.
Is catnip good for the immune system?
Forbes have suggested that catnip can provide stress relief and reduce chronic anxiety when eaten, consumed in the form of a juice or tea, or when smoked as an herb. This can also help reduce the secondary symptoms of chronic stress and strengthen your immune system.
What happens if a human drinks catnip?
In small quantities, catnip tea is safe for adults. However, larger amounts may cause headaches, vomiting, and digestive discomfort. Catnip is a diuretic, which means it can cause frequent urination. Drinking too much catnip tea could lead to dehydration.
What are the medicinal uses for catnip?
Medicinally, the plant has been used to treat intestinal cramps, for indigestion, to cause sweating, to induce menstruation, as a sedative, and to increase appetite. Additionally, the plant has been used to treat diarrhea, colic, the common cold, and cancer.
Is catnip anti-inflammatory?
8 Medicinal Uses for Catnip Anti-inflammatory: Can be used orally and/or topically to reduce swelling from arthritis, soft tissue injuries, or hemorrhoids. Muscle relaxer: Can be used orally or topically to relax and soothe aching muscles. Sedative: Long used to fight insomnia and prevent nightmares.
Is catnip good for hair?
Although drugs have largely replaced its use, catnip tea remains a popular hair rinse to enhance hair quality. Benefits noted by users include improved moisture, reduction of split ends and flyaway hair, softer, shinier hair. It is also purported to stimulate hair growth.
What is the human equivalent of catnip?
A human analog that causes similar effects [as catnip on cats], as in a comparable high, would be LSD or marijuana.
Does catnip help with anxiety?
Catnip tea's biggest health benefit is the calming effect that it can have on the body. Catnip contains nepetalactone, which is similar to the valepotriates found in a commonly used herbal sedative, valerian. This can improve relaxation , which may boost mood and reduce anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness.
Can you use fresh catnip to make tea?
Catnip tea is easy to make at home and requires nothing more than a pot, some fresh/dried catnip, and a bit of lemon juice or honey to taste. Fresh catnip leaves can be cut to release more of the potent oils into the tea for a stronger brew, or they can be used whole.
Can catnip make humans sleep?
With benefits for humans as well as cats, catnip may be the next herb to try as a natural remedy. You can drink catnip tea to help with sleep, to calm digestion, or to soothe a cough. The gentle nature of catnip makes it a good remedy for calming and soothing stress or tension in children as well.
Is catnip a mosquito repellent?
While catnip is a common herb that is often used in cat toys and treats—due to its euphoric and hallucinogenic effects on our domesticated felines—it has also long been known for its powerful repellent action on insects, and mosquitoes in particular.
What are the benefits of catnip?
The most important health benefits of catnip include its ability to calm restless sleep, relieve anxiety and stress, soothe menstrual pain, eliminate eating disorders, and ease stomach discomfort. It also helps speed up the recovery from colds and fevers, detoxify the body, reduce inflammation throughout the body, ...
What is catnip used for?
It is generally used in teas, juices, tinctures, extracts, salves, and even as an herb to be smoked, in addition to its culinary applications. [2]
Why do people drink catnip tea?
Many people choose to drink a cup of catnip tea before bed to ensure a refreshing sleep.
What is the scientific name for catmint?
The flowering perennial known commonly as catnip, catmint, or catswort actually has the scientific name of Nepeta cataria. Although most people don’t realize that this treat, so commonly reserved for its sedative, calming effects on cats, also has extensive benefits for human beings like driving aways infections.
Is catnip safe for kidneys?
[5] Word of Caution: For people suffering from liver or kidney disorders, the use of catnip may be risky, particularly if you are regularly consuming the tea.
Does catnip help with colds?
Speeds up Healing. Catnip induces sweating, so is often recommended by alternative practitioners for treating the common cold. In terms of colds and flu, one of the fastest ways to clean out the body is to induce sweating and get the toxins flushed from the system.
Does catnip repel bugs?
The natural repellent quality of catnip makes it ideal for keeping bugs away from gardens when kept as an ornamental plant, but the organic compounds in the plant make it ideal for soothing bug bites and relieving irritation on the skin. Applying salves or extracts to the irritated or broken skin can speed the healing process and reduce inflammation quickly. [5]
Catnip for Cats
Many of us are familiar with the pawing, rolling, and general nuttiness some cats display when given a bit of catnip. This behavior has been well-documented, not only in about 2/3 of house cats but also in ocelots, lions, jaguars, and leopards.
Catnip for You and Me
Few cat-lovers know that catnip has long been considered a useful plant medicine for humans too. Consider this concoction from the Old English Herbarium, a widely used book of remedies from the tenth century: “For snakebite, take the plant that we call nepitamon, pound it in wine, wring out the juice, and give it to drink in wine.
3 Ways to Use Catnip
1. As a natural insect repellent. A study published in Current Biology suggests that catnip can act as a broad-acting insect repellent. Researchers observed that southern wood ants, fruit flies, and certain mosquitoes avoided the plant itself or catnip-coated items.
Cautions and Considerations
Of course, as with any herbal remedy or supplement, consult with your physician on whether catnip might be suitable for you. For example, you should definitely avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, suffer from pelvic inflammatory disease, or have menorrhagia since it can stimulate your uterus. Also not a good idea to give to the kiddos.
How long does catnip last?
Eating the catnip will act as more of a sedative. The effects of catnip only last about 10 to 15 minutes. Cats typically need to wait several hours before they can “appreciate” the benefits of catnip again.
What is the oil in catnip?
Catnip contains an oil called nepetalactone, which is the primary suspect in how cats react to this herb. It has been studied, and the results have shown that it is actually the cat’s primary olfactory system, or good old-fashioned sense of smell, that causes the catnip reaction.
How to make catnip tea?
2 teaspoons of dried or fresh leaves or flowers of the catnip plant. I cup boiling water. Lemon juice. Honey or sugar. Mix the catnip leaves or flowers with the water.
How to stop catnip from biting my skin?
If you have catnip in your garden and you’re in a rush to stop insects from biting, you can just crush up the leaves and rub them directly on your skin. It won’t last very long, but it should prove quite effective; just test a small spot of skin first to ensure you aren’t allergic. Image Credit: Pixabay.
Where does catnip come from?
It’s also known as catwort and catmint and is native to Asia, Africa, and Europe but has been naturalized and grows prolifically in North America.
When was catnip first used?
The earliest documentation of catnip was in 1735 as an herbal tea in the General Irish Herbal. However, it has been in use as a part of folk medicine for much longer than this. There are a number of reported benefits for humans who consume catnip.
Does catnip help with toothaches?
Catnip has been used as a tea or poultice for centuries to treat toothaches. Studies have shown that catnip has antifungal and antibacterial properties that can very effectively deter and treat oral infections.
What is catnip used for?
Catnip has long been thought to have medicinal properties. Its dried leaves and white flowers are traditionally used for this purpose. Both can be used to make tea, which is sometimes used to treat conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and headaches. In some cases, the roots of catnip can be used.
Where does catnip come from?
Overview. Catnip is a strong-smelling herb. It is native to Central Europe, though it can now be found in most of Canada and the Northeast United States. It belongs to the mint family and has oval-toothed, dark green leaves and white flowering tops. Catnip has long been thought to have medicinal properties.
How to make catnip tea?
To make catnip tea, mix 2 teaspoons of dried catnip leaves or flowers with 1 cup of boiling water. Add lemon juice and honey, stir, and let cool for several minutes. Many people prefer a steeping time of about 10 to 15 minutes. Catnip tea has a woodsy, almost grassy taste.
Can you drink catnip tea at night?
A common side effect of catnip tea is drowsiness, which is often mild. While this is a plus if you’re trying to relax or treat insomnia, it’s not ideal at the beginning of a work day. Drink catnip tea at night so you can learn how it affects you.
Is catnip tea good for you?
Catnip tea’s biggest health benefit is the calming effect that it can have on the body. Catnip contains nepetalactone, which is similar to the valepotriates found in a commonly used herbal sedative, valerian. This can improve relaxation#N#Trusted Source#N#, which may boost mood and reduce anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness.
Can you consult a doctor about catnip tea?
If catnip tea isn’t effective in treating your symptoms, you can consult your doctor. They’ll be able to offer additional remedies that you might find useful, including other alternative remedies and lifestyle changes. Last medically reviewed on November 15, 2017.
Can catnip cause headaches?
Catnip tea may cause headaches and digestive upset in some individuals. If this doesn’t pass after a few uses, stop drinking the tea. Catnip tea should only be consumed by adults unless otherwise advised by your doctor. While it’s sometimes used to treat colic in infants, it hasn’t been tested in children.
Why do people drink catnip tea?
Some people drink catnip tea to relieve digestive problems, but some people may not tolerate it well. Stop drinking catnip tea if it continues to cause an upset stomach after a few uses. Both adults and children may vomit from drinking too much catnip tea. Allergic R eactions.
Where does catnip come from?
Catnip, sometimes also called catmint or field balm, is a plant in the mint family. This perennial plant originates in Europe and is found in the wild across the U.S and Canada.
How long does it take for catnip tea to steep?
Catnip tea, like other herbal teas, is made by introducing boiling water to the dried plant and steeping for a maximum of 10 minutes. Catnip tea was traditionally used as an herbal medicine for restlessness, nervousness and nervous disorders, coughs, asthma, gas, and diarrhea.
Does catnip tea help with diarrhea?
Historically, catnip was used for diarrhea, gas, and stomach cramps. It’s said to relieve muscle spasms in the intestinal tract. Drinking catnip tea may soo the the digestive system. Relief of Colic. Many groups of people have traditionally used catnip tea to relieve infants’ colic and help babies to sleep at night.
Does catnip help with anxiety?
In animal studies, catnip reduces anxiety. While there isn’t enough research to determine if this is the case in humans, the nepetalactone in catnip may reduce nervousness, anxiousness, and restlessness. Less Gas and Stomach Cramps. Historically, catnip was used for diarrhea, gas, and stomach cramps.
Can catsnip cause vomiting?
Larger amounts of catnip tea may cause vomiting in children. There have also been some documented adverse effects of drinking catnip tea in pregnancy. Although catnip tea has been marketed as a cure for colic and morning sickness, it’s best for infants and anybody who is pregnant to avoid catnip. Continued.
Is catnip tea safe for humans?
Reliable nutrition information isn’t readily available for catnip because so little of it is sold for human consumption. However, it’s reasonable to assume that catnip tea, like all other teas, has little to no protein, fats, and carbohydrates when drunk on its own.
Does catnip warm the body?
Warms the Body. Anecdotal evidence describes the warming effect of catnip, as though it is gradually seeping into the body and increasing the temperature, beginning in the throat and neck and moving into the chest . This can be a comforting and sleep-inducing effect.
Does catnip increase temperature?
Anecdotal evidence describes the warming effect of catnip, as though it is gradually seeping into the body and increasing the temperature, beginning in the throat and neck and moving into the chest. This can be a comforting and sleep-inducing effect.
Is catnip a tincture?
Catnip has been used for thousands of years for teas and tinctures, and people have also been smoking it , similar to smoking cannabis, white sage or mugwort, among others. Nepetalactone is the active ingredient, which intoxicates cats and sedates humans.
Is catnip a plant?
Catnip scientifically known as Nepeta catariais an herbaceous plant in the mint family that has a range of effects on humans and other animals and can be consumed in a variety of ways.
Is smoking catnip good for you?
Benefits of Smoking Catnip. There are benefits of smoking catnip, including the following: Improving sleep. Boosting digestion. Calming the nerves. Stimulating menstruation. Relieving toothaches. Let us discuss them in detail below .
Can nepetalactone cause headaches?
Despite the impressive benefits outlined above, there are also some negative side effects when it is smoked in excess, such as the following: There have been no reports of toxicity while smoking, but the nepetalactone can cause gastrointestinal distress in some people, as well as headaches or lightheadedness.
Does smoking a cigarette help with anxiety?
Sedative. If you suffer from anxiety, nervous system problems, insomnia or psychological disorders, smoking this herb could result in mitigated symptoms. There are no psychoactive effects of this herb, except for possible time dilation, but it is known to soothe a troubled mind after a long day.
What is catnip used for?
But there is no good scientific research to support any of these uses. In manufacturing, catnip is used as a pesticide and insecticide.
Can you change the lithium in catnip?
Your lithium dose might need to be changed . Dosing. The appropriate dose of catnip depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for catnip.
Does catnip slow down the nervous system?
Surgery: Catnip 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.
Can you use catnip for menstrual cramps?
Stay on the safe side, and avoid use. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Women with PID should avoid using catnip because it can start menstruation. Heavy menstrual periods ( menorrhagia): Because catnip can cause menstruation, it might make heavy menstrual periods worse.
Is catnip safe for children?
Children: Catnip is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for children when taken by mouth. There has been one report of a child experiencing stomach pain, irritability, and sluggishness after taking catnip leaves and tea. Pregnancy and breast -feeding: It is LIKELY UNSAFE to use take catnip during pregnancy.
Can you smoke catnip tea?
Cupful amounts of catnip tea have been consumed without serious side effects. However, catnip 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.
Is catnip safe for menstruation?
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of catnip for these uses. Catnip is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in small amounts. Cupful amounts of catnip tea have been consumed without serious side effects.
Benefits
Pharmacology
- The flowering perennial known commonly as catnip, catmint, or catswort actually has the scientific name of Nepeta cataria. Although most people dont realize that this treat, so commonly reserved for its sedative, calming effects on cats, also has extensive benefits for human beings like driving aways infections. Its native range is quite diverse, stretching across Europe and part…
Medical uses
- For women suffering from painful menstrual cramps, catnip tea is often recommended as an alternative treatment, because it can quickly relieve those cramps in the body. Furthermore, its sedative and calming effects can also soothe many symptoms of menstruation such as mood swings and depression.
Treatment
- Catnip has proven to be very effective in the treatment of headaches, even chronic migraines. Rubbing its essential oil on the affected area, drinking its tea or rubbing a catnip leaf salve on the temples can also offer a quick relief. Catnip induces sweating, so is often recommended by alternative practitioners for treating the common cold. In terms of colds and flu, one of the faste…
Uses
- The chemical constituents of catnip are effective as anti-inflammatory agents. This means that it can be effective in the treatment of arthritis, gout, sprained muscles, aching joints, and even hemorrhoids. Topical application or normal consumption of leaves, juice, or tea can be effective for all of these situations.
Contraindications
- Word of Caution: For people suffering from liver or kidney disorders, the use of catnip may be risky, particularly if you are regularly consuming the tea. Furthermore, pregnant women should avoid it, as it can prematurely induce labor. Other than those specific concerns, it is generally considered non-allergenic and harmless to users. The high potency of the essential oil should b…