Catnip Tea
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Catnip Tea
In addition to its more recognized effects on cats, catnip can be made into catnip tea. Catnip tea is reputed to have major benefits and health advantages. Let’s take a look at some interesting information about catnip tea, shall we?
First, an important note on catnip consumption by humans: Do not use the catnip that you would buy for your pets, because that catnip is “impure”, usually mixed with other plant products or stems and stalks that aren’t good for you. You want to make sure to only use fresh catnip right off the plant, or dried catnip. Additionally, you can find catnip in capsule form or as a liquid that you can use safely. You can also use crushed catnip seeds or powdered roots to make the catnip tea.
Catnip Tea Recipe
- 1-2 teaspoons of fresh catnip leaves (if you can’t get fresh catnip leaves, dried catnip is fine)
- 1 cup of water
- Sugar / honey to taste
Opinions differ on whether or not to actually boil the catnip leaves or just steep them, as boiling may reduce the effectiveness of the catnip leaves. Usually you’d boil the catnip for 10-15 minutes, but for steeping, you’d boil the water, take the pan off the heat, and THEN add the catnip leaves or dried catnip and let it sit for 7-10 minutes. Drink warm. Add the sugar or honey as per your tastes. The recommendation is to drink catnip tea 3 times a day.
The Effects of Catnip Tea
Catnip tea has been used for various different medical effects. One of the more basic to note is that while for cats it is a stimulant, catnip is a minor sedative for humans, so a cup of catnip tea before bed time is good for relaxing and improving sleep. Since it is a mint, it also reduces nausea from upset stomachs. It is a well known remedy for infant colic, as well as a non-drug way to help calm hyperactive children. It can also be used as a tincture for children’s coughs.
Alternate Forms of Catnip Tea
Catnip tea can be used as an anti-inflammatory for relief of conditions such as hay fever, colds, the flu, or swollen, bloodshot eyes. After steeping, soak a towel in the tea and apply over the eyes a la steak for black eyes. You can also use previously soaked catnip tea bags for the same application.
Catnip Tea Summary
Well, as always on this site, I bet you learned a few new things about catnip and specifically catnip tea and its uses and applications. Not only is catnip for driving cats crazy, but catnip tea can be used as a beverage, a medication, and a relieving salve.
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Catnip Tea | All Things Catnip…
Catnip has uses other than for just cats, as we have already seen. Humans have been using it for food flavoring, for catnip tea, and for medicinal purposes. Catnip is a stimulant to cats, but it is a mild sedative for humans. Catnip t…