Repost from OHG herb files.
It's been often speculated that the cat was offered his first taste
of catnip in Ancient Egypt, where cats were idolized, and catnip was
sacred to the Egyptian goddess Bast, protector of cats, women and
children. I don't know about your cats, but mine go crazy when
offered a *nip* of this potent herb. Not all cats are attracted,
however, as apparently this is an inherited trait, and a small
percentage of cats will have no interest in catnip at all.
Catnip - nepeta cataria - is actually named for the cat, cataria
meaning *of cats* in Latin. It is a member of the mint family
(Labiatae) and also commonly referred to as catnep and catmint, as
well as less familiar names such as catswort and field balm. Common
catnip should not be confused with the other *catmint*, nepeta
mussinii, nor with the strictly ornamental catnip, nepeta faassenii.
Cataria grows to 4 feet tall and somewhat resembles stinging nettle.
Mussinii grows to one foot and sprawls, making it an excellent
ornamental groundcover, or a great specimen for your rock garden.
Only nepeta cataria, or *Common Catnip*, has the chemical within the
stem and leaves called NEPETALACTONE, a volatile oil similar in
structure to the sedative ingredient found in valerian root, and it
is the scent of nepetalactone that triggers the response in cats'
brains. It is believed that the response is sex-behavior linked, and
kittens usually do not begin responding to catnip until they have
started to sexually mature.
But catnip is NOT just for cats! Catnip is native to Asia and Europe,
and over 2000 years ago Romans used it for cooking and healing.
During the Middles Ages, catnip was used for the treatment of
nervousness, colds, and gastrointestinal complaints. Catnip was
brought to the New World by the early settlers, who cultivated the
herb for medicinal purposes and food. Early Americans believed that
catnip makes even the kindest person mean. It was traditionally used
by hangmen prior to execution "to get into the right mood!" It is now
widely naturalized in the New World.
MEDICINALLY, Catnip has also been employed to relieve headaches or
toothache (by chewing the fresh leaves), and as a *tea* to eliminate
toxins from the body as well as a sedative to induce sleep, a
treatment for flatulence, indigestion, heartburn and infant colic,
and to promote menstruation and relieve menstrual cramps. PREGNANT
WOMEN SHOULD AVOID USING CATNIP. The distilled oil from catnip is
supposed to be a very effective appetite stimulant, and has been used
in the treatment of anorexia.
IN THE KITCHEN, the young, raw catnip leaves impart an aromatic
flavoring to salads. Older leaves may be used as a flavoring in
cooked foods, such as sauces, soups and stews. The leaves can be used
fresh or dried to make tea. The tea should be infused in a closed
container in order to preserve the essential oils--boiling is said to
spoil it. The tea can also be applied externally to bruises,
especially black eyes. A catnip tea can be made by adding 1 cup of
boiling water to 1-2 teaspoons of the herb, then steep, covered, for
10-15 minutes. For a stronger tea, crushed stems can be added. Add
lemon and honey to taste.
IN THE GARDEN, it is said that catnip will deter flea beetles,
cucumber beetles, squash bugs and ants, making it a good companion
plant. It companions best with members of the cabbage family. For
driving away flea beetles on eggplant, make a *tea* with fresh catnip
and sprinkle it on the plants. Catnip is also wonderful for the
dyer's garden, as the whole plant can be used with alum to create a
lovely yellow, and if you are a beekeeper it is a MUST HAVE herb, as
it's flowers are extremely attractive to bees, and butterflies love
it, too. The dried leaves retain their scent well, making them also
useful in potpourri.
Catnip is a hardy perennial to zone 3. It can be propagated by seed
or root division. Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep and cover with fine soil.
Press the seeds down. If seeded indoors, cover the pots with plastic
and keep warm. They should germinate within 10-20 days. Expose the
young plants to full sun as soon as they start sprouting, and do not
allow them to dry out. Gradually acclimate the plants to outside
conditions, and plant outdoors when danger of frost is past. If
seeded outdoors, plant your seeds in the fall for spring plants. Thin
them when about 2 inches tall. It is said that catnip planted by seed
is rarely disturbed by cats, but mature transplants will most
certainly be destroyed by an enthusiastic kitty. Transplants can be
protected with a SECURED chicken wire cage, to prevent cats from
dislodging them. Catnip loves full sun but can tolerate partial shade
and does well in almost any garden soil, as long as it is well-
drained. It is more pungent when grown in sandy soil with full sun.
It is seldom bothered by pests, and rarely troubled by browsing deer
or rabbits.
TO HARVEST catnip for drying, wait until it blooms, then cut the
stems in late morning when the leaves are dry of morning dew. (For
fresh leaves, harvest as needed). If you follow astrology, the leaves
should not be gathered when Venus (the planet ruling the plant) is in
the Tenth, Eleventh or Twelfth House. Hang upside down in an airy,
shaded place to cure. When completely dry, crumble the leaves into a
paper bag and store in plastic bags. If you have an addicted feline
in residence, you might want to consider storing your dried catnip
under lock and key...addicted cats will go to great lengths to
uncover your stash!
IF YOU ARE A KNITTER, catnip toys are a great way to use up those
odds and ends of yarn. There are several free *mouse* toy patterns on
the internet, which can be stuffed with catnip for kitty's enjoyment.
With all of the wonderful uses for catnip, everyone should have some
growing in their garden! So, if you do not have any in your garden,
what are you waiting for?
RECIPE
Candied Catnip Leaves
Select medium-sized leaves. Thin the white of 1 egg with the juice of
1 lemon. Do not beat them together, but gently stir until the egg and
lemon are thoroughly mixed. Dip each catnip leaf in this mixture,
then sprinkle both sides with granulated sugar. Allow to dry at least
1 day before use. If the candied leaves are well dried and kept in a
tight container in the refrigerator, they will stay perfectly fresh
and tasty for weeks....from Herbal Treasures by Phyllis V. Shaudys
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