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Catnip
Catnip is one of the best children's herbs as it is gentle and safe, yet powerful for upset stomach, colic, and digestive problems. It also helps calm children and babies and aids in a restful sleep. It is great herb choice for pregnancy, nursing, and babies.
Nepeta cataria
Family: Labiatae - mint
Parts used: leaves and blossoms
Antispasmodic,
Analgesic
Anesthetic
Antacid
Anti-Inflammatory
Anodyne
Astringent
Bug Repellent
Carminative
Cholagogue
Diaphoretic
Emmenagogue
Nervine
Sedative
Energetics/Body Systems Affected
Cooling
Drying
Digestive
Nervous
Respiratory
Uses
Baby support; colic, fussy baby, jaundice, helps induce sleep, teething pain reliever (popsicles work great for this purpose).
Alleviates many symptoms of childhood disease and illness
Nourishes and soothes muscles and nerves
Colds, flu, and fever
Respiratory; coughs, sore throat, chest congestion, croup, bronchitis, etc.
Digestive complaints; gas, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, tummy aches, etc.
Nausea, morning sickness, upset stomach, "butterflies" – nervousness
Anxiety, nerves, stress
Muscle cramping, even those associated with pregnancy and menstruation
Appendicitis (enema)
Toothache (chew on the leaves)
Headache
Aids a restful sleep
Cataracts, eye health
Woman issues, before, during and after birth
Menstrual discomfort, painful cramps, afterbirth cramping, etc.
Relaxes the uterus, preventing contractions, helpful to prevent miscarriage
Makes a great insect repellent, plant by doors or infuse into witch hazel, water, or oil for a bug spray. Can also rub the plant directly on skin.
Fresh Leaf; can rub directly onto body for insect repelling properties. Chew on leaves or add to foods (has a musky type of flavor).
Tea (blends well with mint and chamomile, both great for children)
Baths, soaks, steams
Tincture
Syrup
Poultice, compress
Powdered, capsules, sprinkle
Salve, ointment, cream
Herbal honey
Liniment
Herbal pillow
Enema
Hydrosol
Essential oil
Can be foraged in disturbed areas, roadsides, streams, ponds, and waste ground.
Sow seed directly in the garden in mid spring or start from seed indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Roots can be propagated or purchase from a nursery as a transplant.
Transplant in full sun or partial shade, 12" apart after last frost.
Grows well in any soil, give low to moderate amounts of water, catnip likes it dry more than wet.
May want to put a cage around the plant to protect from
Can be harvested anytime during the season but catnip is at its most potent when flowering. Cut back to 3-4" and it will continue to grow, giving you several cuttings throughout the season.
Practical Herbalism
The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook
The Herbal Drugstore
The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy
Homegrown Herbs
