* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Catnip Nepeta cataria L.
Family: Lamiaceae.
Other Names: Catnep; herbe aux chats (French); Katzenminze (German); cataire, nepeta (Italian).
Description: A perennial herb of up to 1 m in height, with opposite pairs of hairy leaves and numerous small, white, pink or blue flowers arranged in rounded clusters. Various cultivars, differing in growth form, flower colour and essential oil composition, have been developed.
Origin: Eastern Mediterranean region, southern Asia and central Asia.
Parts Used: Leaves or flowering tops (Nepetae catariae herba); essential oil.
Uses and Properties: Catnip tea is mainly used as a calming and sleep-inducing herbal remedy, usually taken at bedtime. It also eases indigestion, promotes sweating and controls the symptoms of diarrhoea. Folk uses include the treatment of infections, toothache, headache, stress, colic, scalp irritations, arthritis, rheumatism, eye inflammation, allergies and haemorrhoids. Catnip tea was once commonly used in Europe as a relaxing and multi-purpose hot beverage before real tea was introduced. It was one of the main healing plants grown in the herb gardens of medlieval monasteries.
Preparation and Dosage: A tea prepared from about 10 g of dried herb in a cup of boiling water can taken twice a day. It is also used as tinctures, extracts capsules.
Active Ingredients: An essential oil, rich nepetalactone (the main compound); nepetalic acid, epinepetalactone, caryophyllene, citral, citronellol, linonen and camphor are present. Nepetalactone and related compounds are iridoids similar to those found in valerian (Valeriana officinalis).
Pharmacological Effects: The calming effect of catnip is ascribed to nepetalactone and related compounds. Nepetalactone and nepetalic acid were shown to significantly increase sleeping time in mice. Catnip oil is known to cause CNS depression in humans when taken in large amounts.
Notes: The common name is derived from the effect it has on cats - the plant acts like cannabis in these animals. Nepetalactone is thought to have aphrodisiac and pheromone activity associated with feline courtship behaviour and catnip is therefore used by manufacturers of cat toys with the aim of causing playful behaviour. It is also an effective insect and rodent repellent.
Status: Traditional medicine. The spicy, bitter leaves of catnip affect the lungs, liver, and nerves in the body. Diaphoretic, sedative, nervine, and carminative actions make it useful for insomnia, fevers and colds, and diarrhea. The biochemical constituents of catmint include an essential oil comprised of cavracol, citronellol, nerol, geraniol, pulegone, thymol and nepetalic acid along with tannins.
Catnip is famous for its sedative effects on the nervous system. It gently relieves the "congestion" affecting the nerves as a result of built-up emotional tensions.
Catnip is a good cure for diarrhea and is frequently used in enemas to relax and gently restore the tone of the bowels. Because of its mild, gentle nature, catnip, like lemon balm, is excellent to give for nervousness and hyperactivity of children as well as a diaphoretic tea to relieve fevers and colds. For such conditions, it combines well in a tea along with equal parts camomile, spearmint and lemon balm.
It is best taken as a tea; steep one ounce of the dried leaves, covered, in a pint of boiling water until cool enough to drink. Take before retiring in the evening, alone or with passion flower and/or lemon balm, for insomnia.
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Directions
Take 1 capsule, 3 times daily, with meals.
Additional Information
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
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ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
