Have you ever seen a catnip plant? Basically this plant is known as a special plant that can give effect to the cat. It contains a chemical compound called nepetalactone. This compound is concentrated in the stems and leaves. This compound that is responsible for the changing behavior of cats. Catnip is a shrub that grows wild in some areas such as Eurasia and North America. Its Latin is Nepeta cataria. Catnip belongs to a family of mint plants. It can be seen from the smell of mint (menthol) that disseminated.
This native plant from Europa has a very beautiful floral part with an eye-catching color. This flower is known for having a soothing effect that is much liked by everyone and also cat. The most commonly used parts of catnip are the leaves, roots, and flowers. Of all the parts can be used as medicine for various types of diseases.
Nutritional Information of Catnip Tea
Catnip tea has anti-cholinergic effects that have been used to relieve intestinal cramps and gas discomfort. Catnip tea has a complete nutrient which is very effective to be used as alternative treatment for numerous and various diseases. It contains essential acids, organic compounds, set of vitamins and minerals that needed by the body. The thymol content of catnip is well known for its antiseptic properties which can treat headaches and migraines. Moreover, it contains anti-inflammatory properties to cure any inflammation problems in the body. In addition, it also contains terpenoid, chemical compound called nepetalactone, and relaxant compounds.
Top Health Benefits of Catnip Tea
Tea has been very popular since thousands years ago to have ability to cure or prevent from various diseases. Its beneficial and useful benefits makes tea become very popular among people. There are lots of herbs that can be made as a tea and serves numerous health benefits for people. This article only discuss about the health benefits of catnip tea. But you can also look at same beneficial tea made from benefits of lime tea, apple tea, and neem tea.
- Relieve Anxiety
Drink a cup of catnip tea can be one of best ways to control your anxiety. The calming effect on mind and body that catnip has is very useful to overcome anxiety. This plant contains a substance known as nepetalactone which acts as a relaxant. Catnip tea is also effective to treat patients with anxiety disorders, stress, or depression.
- Relieve Insomnia
The effect of catnip for humans is not limited only to cure mental disorders but also to relive sleep disorders like insomnia. Drink a cup of catnip tea is believed to help you get a good night’s sleep. It provides a relaxing effect that helps induce sleep. Well, if you have insomnia problem and want to have a tight sleep then you need to drink some catnip tea before going to bed.
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- Minimize Respiratory Problems
People who suffer from the common flu have difficulty in breathing. However, this condition can be alleviated by drinking catnip tea. This herb has a function as a natural decongestant and able to reduce tightness in the chest. Catnip is also useful in reducing discomfort associated with respiratory disorders such as asthma and bronchitis.
- Treat Toothache
Besides drinking it as a tea, you can also the leaves to reduce the pain associated with toothache. Place or put the mashed catnip leaves on the gums to relieve toothache. Chewing the leaves of this plant is another method that can be done.Â
- Relieve Abdominal Pain
There are many health benefits of catnip tea. People often feel common stomach discomfort such as bloating and diarrhea and you might be one of them. To relieve abdominal pain associated with indigestion you can drink some catnip tea. Catnip tea helps to release gas trapped in the gut. Furthermore, drinking catnip tea after having meals can also help to improve digestive system performance.
- Heal Wounds
Not only able to cure internal health problems, but catnip is also able to cure external wounds in the skin. Catnip leaves known to be able to help healing wounds. Put or place catnip leaves over the wound to help it stop bleeding.
- Reduce Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common long-term disorder of the digestive system. This disease attacks the colon for long periods of time, with symptoms that often recur from time to time. Those who are suffering from symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can drink catnip tea to relieve stomach pain and constipation and also to prevent Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) getting worse. Â
- Cope with Stress
Anxiety is one of stress symptoms. Prevent yourself from getting stressed out by drinking a cup of catnip since it has relaxant substance that is very effective to calm and control your emotions.
- Launch Digestion
The anti-inflammatory effect of catnip can relieve inflammation of the digestive system. It is also able to ease the feeling of tightness and discomfort from the constipation. You may also find find health benefits of lotus flower for your digestion.
- Relive Headache
It has been proven that catnip tea can be very effective to relive or treat headaches even chronic migraines. Besides making it as a tea, you also can use its essential oil on the affected area of headache.
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- Improve Skin
It is an ideal choice for you to take catnip tea or leaves to maintain a healthy skin or treat any skin problems. It has an organic substance which can be used to relieve skin irritation and remove insect bites on your skin.
- Treat Inflammation
Catnip has been used for long time as a special ingredient to treat various types of diseases related to inflammatory problems. Diseases associated with inflammation can occur in the bones, tissues, and body cells. This condition can cause someone to get haemorrhoids, high urine acid, arthritis, sprains, and also problem with joints. Catnip can be used as a natural tea for treatment from the body or using catnip essential oil to deal with pain on the skin directly.
- Promote Weight Loss
Catnip is also well known as a special ingredient to help you lose weight. Tea made from flowers and catnip roots is very good for lowering fat in the body. When you drink catnip tea then all the sweet will come out quickly. This process will help the body lose fat and get rid of all toxins in the body.
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- Relieve Menstrual Cramps
Menstrual cramp is one of annoying period pains that women should have experienced it every month. Thus, for women in their period are suggested to drink some catnip tea because it is an effective alternative treatment to relieve the cramps.Â
Precautions and Warnings
Catnip tea is likely safe to be consumed when it is taken in adequate amounts of intake. It will turn out giving bad effect for your health if you take smoked it or taken it in high intake (excessive cups of catnip tea). It is possible to give you bad effect such as headaches, vomiting, and discomfort feeling of being ill. Besides that, precautions and warnings before consuming catnip tea should be considered seriously.
- Possibly unsafe for children
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding
- Before and after surgery
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual periods)