Catnip

It has a wide variety of uses in folk medicine in North America. In Britain it does not appear to have a significant role in folk medicine.

There are records of its used as an aromatic and medicinal infusion in England and France where it was generally drunk before the introduction of tea.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria), member of the mint family releases a distinctive aroma when it’s made into an herbal tea. It has the aroma to attract cats and people. Catnip has spikes of small, purple-dotted flowers. It has been used as a seasoning and as a medicinal tea for colds and fever.

The leaves of catnip were once chewed for toothache and smoked to treat bronchitis and asthma.

Catnip tea was used for centuries as a calming brew. It is said to soothe upset stomachs, menstrual misery, coughs and act as a general tranquilizer.

A cup of iced tea is a mild stimulant, providing a pleasant temporary lift without jumpiness. Hot, steeped catnip tea or infusion is a mild to moderate sedative and antispasmodic.

Catnip has in it several terpenes, including nepetalactone. One terpene, cis-trans-nepetalactone was hypothesized to be responsible for sedative effect based on its structural similarity to valepotriates the depressant principles from valerian.
Catnip