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What is Catnip Tea?

L. Hepfer
L. Hepfer

Catnip, from the Latin name Nepeta cataria, is an herb widely known for its effect on cats. Cats love to play in catnip, roll in it, chew on it and eat it. While it leaves cats in a temporary euphoric state of mind, it does not have the same effect on people.

Catnip is known commonly by the names of catmint, cat's-wort, field balm and catrup. It is a relative to the mint family and has a mild taste. The leaves and flowers of the catnip plant are steeped in water to create a tea.

Catnip tea.
Catnip tea.

Catnip tea can be made by anyone growing the plant in their herb garden. The tea can be found in nutrition stores already packaged in tea bags, or it can be ordered online through a reputable company. If this tea cannot be found in a local nutrition store, the owner of the store will sometimes order it.

Catnip tea should never be boiled, only steeped, and a small amount of honey added to make it more palatable. It is not popular for being a household remedy, but would make a great addition to any household.

Catnip tea may be useful in relieving pain for teething babies.
Catnip tea may be useful in relieving pain for teething babies.

Any mother would be grateful to have catnip tea on hand with a colicky baby. The tea can be given to an infant in a warm bottle. Catnip aids in relaxing the digestive system. Once the tea has been drank and is being absorbed by the baby, the baby's digestive system should relax, eliminating the gas pains that cause colic. Catnip tea is also very useful for painful circumstances such as spasms, gas pains, or hyperacidity in the stomach. It helps aid in painful teething situations with babies and toddlers, and will help restore menstruation in women.

Catnip tea should never be boiled, only steeped.
Catnip tea should never be boiled, only steeped.

Catnip tea is great for settling stomach viruses and is known for lowering fevers. It has been found useful in alleviating headaches and eliminating toxins from the human body. Catnip tea not only has calming effects on the digestive system, but it has a calming effect on the human mind. It has been used to treat systems of anxiety.

While catnip is relatively safe and has no known effects on other medications, it is wise to contact a physician before using. Catnip can be found in the form of capsules, teas, and tinctures. It should have the same effect on a person regardless of the method used.

Catnip tea can be used as a headache remedy.
Catnip tea can be used as a headache remedy.

While catnip eventually has the same effect regardless of the method used, taking capsules will have a slower effect because the body digests the capsule before it releases the catnip inside. Liquids, such as teas and tinctures, enter the bloodstream immediately when digested, having a much quicker desired effect.

Discussion Comments

fify

I've started drinking catnip herbal tea for insomnia. It does relax me and help me fall asleep at night. But I've noticed that if I drink it on an empty stomach, it makes me nauseated. So I make sure to have it on a full stomach.

A friend of mine studies herbs and their effects. She told me that catnip might help me sleep for a while, but that it will eventually lose its effect. These kinds of herbs are apparently better when they're used once in a while rather than daily. I'm going ask my doctor about this to make sure, but I think she may be right. The first couple of nights I had the tea, I did sleep faster and for longer than I do now.

ysmina

Catnip is nepeta cataria. Nepeta faassenii is catmint, which is in the same family but it's slightly different.

They both have sedative effects and help treat digestion issues and colds. You can also use both topically to treat skin ailments and prevent infections.

The main difference is that catnip can be stronger. I've heard that too much catnip can cause hallucinations in some people. Of course, the potency of the tea and it's freshness makes a difference. Make sure to buy organic tea, don't steep it for too long and only have one cup.

bluedolphin

I've been looking at different catnip herbal teas and I've noticed that the Latin name of the tea varies. Sometimes it's nepeta faassenii and sometimes, nepeta cataria. What is the difference between these?

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    • Catnip tea.
      By: Shariff Che'Lah
      Catnip tea.
    • Catnip tea may be useful in relieving pain for teething babies.
      By: Barbara Helgason
      Catnip tea may be useful in relieving pain for teething babies.
    • Catnip tea should never be boiled, only steeped.
      By: NataliTerr
      Catnip tea should never be boiled, only steeped.
    • Catnip tea can be used as a headache remedy.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      Catnip tea can be used as a headache remedy.
    • Catnip tea has been used to treat gas pains.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Catnip tea has been used to treat gas pains.
    • Anyone who grows the catnip herb can use it in tea.
      By: iphoto
      Anyone who grows the catnip herb can use it in tea.
    • Catnip tea can be given to a baby to soothe the gas pains from colic.
      By: Galina Barskaya
      Catnip tea can be given to a baby to soothe the gas pains from colic.