It’s a wonderful day to talk about the health benefits of catnip.
What is catnip?
Catnip is an herb that’s easily found in some parts of China, Central Asia, the Middle East, as well as Eastern and Southern Europe.
People have been using it as a herbal medicine for hundreds of years.
It is also called catswort, catwort, catmint, and Nepeta cataria.
Most people know catnip as a substance that makes cats happy.
Here’s a list of the health benefits of catnip.
- Catnip might help people with breathing problems.
- Helps keep the skin healthy.
- Promotes the health of the hair.
- Catnip can make fevers go away.
- Relieves cramps.
- Headaches can be eased by catnip.
- Helps with tooth pain.
- Catnip helps the digestive system.
- Supports better sleep and relieves stress.
- Catnip is diuretic.
- Helps get rid of toxins.
- Catnip can help with pain and inflammation.
- Is a bug repellant.
If you want to learn more, please keep reading.
1. Catnip May Be Beneficial For Respiratory Conditions
Even though there isn’t a lot of scientific evidence that it helps with respiratory diseases, recent studies suggest that it may help with some conditions.
Researchers have found that catnip has an oil called nepetalactone in it that helps reduce inflammation.
Also, this active compound seems to reduce swelling in the airways and make it easier for animals with asthma-like symptoms to breathe.
As a bronchodilator, the oil can help relieve some of the symptoms of asthma and other breathing problems, like shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, coughing, and wheezing.
(Natural Products Useful In Respiratory Disorders)
2. Supports Skin Health
You can apply catnip extracts to the affected parts of your skin that have bug bites.
It can lessen the inflammation and hasten the healing process.
When it comes to premature skin aging, a couple of cups of catnip tea per day can help.
This herb is a good source of antioxidants that can help fight free radicals that can cause premature aging in your body.
This includes your skin.
Catnip also seems to be able to tighten loose skin, which is another way it can slow down the aging process.
3. Supports Hair Health
Catnip is used to alleviate dandruff problems.
It’s said to be effective because of its antiseptic properties.
You can also use catnip as a conditioner for your dry and hard hair.
You can make a solution out of catnip tea and your favorite shampoo when you apply it to your hair.
4. Catnip Can Bring Down Fever
Catnip has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb.
There are many good things about the plant, but one of the most well-known is that it can help bring down a fever.
Catnip is often used to treat colds, flu, and other infections.
Some experts think that this herb might be even better at bringing down a fever than regular over-the-counter medicines.
The essential oil in this common weed is made up of two compounds: nepetalactone and nepetalic acid.
Catnip is good for reducing fevers caused by common illnesses like colds and the flu because it contains chemicals that stop inflammation.
5. Relieves Cramps
If you have muscle cramps, you can put some catnip oil on the area and massage it gently.
You should slowly feel relief, as it can relax your muscles.
Abere seed may help with cramps as well. Go here to find out more about how it can help your health.
6. Catnip Relieves Headaches
It may also be a good idea to use catnip oil for your headaches.
You can either use catnip oil and rub it on your temples or just drink catnip oil to help resolve this problem.
7. Relieves Toothaches
Besides catnip’s ability to relieve headaches, it can also help you with your toothaches.
You can chew catnip leaves and place them on your gums to reduce and relieve toothache pain.
8. Catnip Supports Good Digestion
Consuming catnip can help you improve your digestion and avoid common digestive problems.
It stimulates the release of gastric juices that are used for digestion.
Catnip’s antispasmodic qualities can help you with digestive issues like bloating, constipation, cramping, and flatulence.
Because it has anti-inflammatory properties, it can also help relieve pain and tightness in your digestive system.
(Nepeta Cataria L. (Lamiaceae))
9. Supports Better Sleep And Relieves Stress
It has been found to soothe the mind and body, making it a great way to relieve stress and improve sleep.
It may also help you if you’re suffering from insomnia.
The active component of catnip, nepetalactone, can act as a mild sedative that helps with relaxation naturally.
It does this by affecting certain receptors in the brain, which leads to improved mood and better sleep quality.
Also, the herb has essential oils that are thought to have calming effects and can help lower anxiety.
Drinking catnip tea helps you relax and eases your mind.
(Dietary Supplements Used In The Treatment Of Depression, Anxiety, And Sleep Disorders)
10. Catnip Is Diuretic
Catnip is a diuretic.
This means that consuming it will promote urination.
This can help your kidneys by flushing out unwanted water, toxins, and waste more regularly from your body.
Kola nuts could also be a diuretic. Find out more about how it can help your health by clicking here.
11. Supports Detoxification
Because of the different qualities of catnip, it is able to help remove the toxins in your body.
It’s a good herb for detoxing.
I’ve mentioned that catnip induces sweating to reduce your body temperature.
It is also a good way of flushing out unwanted water and toxins from your body.
The same goes for catnip’s diuretic qualities.
12. Has Anti-inflammatory Qualities (My Favorite Health Benefit Of Catnip)
As mentioned earlier, catnip has anti-inflammatory qualities.
This is very helpful against aching joints and muscles, arthritis, and sprains.
Massaging the affected area with catnip oil or regularly drinking catnip tea both work well for this.
13. Is A Bug Repellant
Catnip can also be used as an ornamental plant that also acts as a bug repellant.
You can place this around your house to keep unwanted bugs and insects away.
(Efficacy And Safety Of Catnip (Nepeta Cataria) As A Novel Filth Fly Repellent)
Conclusion
My favorite health benefit of catnip is that it may help reduce inflammation.
It really helps my arthritis.
How about you?
Which of these health advantages do you most need?
Please ask your doctor if you can safely eat catnip.
You might have a health problem that makes it bad for you to eat catnip.
Safety should always be the first thing we think about.
If you think this information is helpful, please share it with your family and friends.
I’ve also written articles about other herbs that may be good for your health.
If you click here, you can find out more about them.
Thank you!