Catnip, Not Just for Felines


  i lik cat nipz.
i are cat
  dsf d=c howw r tinyy pawz ;posed 2 typ dsdf lik hman ?
dis hard
  i gos 2 naps now
wif my cat nipz

                          -- i are kat
              1 7 fbrary 20-20

Although many associate Nepeta cataria, more commonly called catnip or catmint, with its feline fellow, it can be used for so much more than just driving our kitty kats wild. Catnip can be quite useful to humans.

Surprisingly, the herb notorious for transforming cats into frantic fiends, actually can help sooth and calm humans who are suffering from anxiety and chronic pain. Although we can mix catnip into food, much like we do for cat treats, typically, catnip is consumed orally as an herbal tea. It can also be used in tinctures or smoked. According to an article by Eric Vought's in Countryside & Small Stock Journal, "The effect (when smoked) is similar to marijuana, though legal, not as strong, and longer lasting." Personally, I haven't smoked catnip and most likely won't, but for my pipe smokers out there who may want some relief, it may be something to try one day and tell me if that is indeed true about smoking it.

I typically drink catnip in a tea, preferably mixed with lavender and vanilla before bed time. Catnip does not always make a person drowsy, but it has been known to cause some people to become drowsy. It has a calming effect on an individual and as a woman, it helps my monthly cycle transpire with more ease and steady flow. Added bonus for women. But don't forget, men can consume this herb to assist them with pain and anxiety.

Another interesting use for catnip is as a bug repellent. The plant, according to a bulletin in Men's Health magazine is 10 times more effective than chemical sprays at the store. Added bonus for those of us that mosquitos just don't seem to want to leave alone. Get yourself a spray of catnip oil and use around your house, but try to avoid skin contact as it may cause allergic reactions. I don't know if this is a coincidence, since I've been consume catnip in my tea and sometimes my food, I haven't had a mosquito issue. Normally, they won't leave me alone. So perhaps it is in my sweat. You never know. Just listen to your body and experiment.

Now, for a tastier tip. I have a recipe available on my recipes page for catnip treats. My kitties loved them, although I think they weren't fond of the flour. A variation to consider trying is to just mix some tuna with catnip, hard boiled egg, and a bit of mayo. The cats love it by the spoonful and is human friendly should someone decide to make a sandwich out of it unbeknownst to them that it is for the cats. Another recipe, that is good for humans is to bake chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 30 minutes in a covered dish with creme of chicken soup, catnip, salt, pepper, and a hint of paprika (just season to taste). If you want more directions feel free to leave a comment or contact me directly.

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