Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Understanding The Benefits Of Catnip Tea

By Dr. Caroline Marrison

There is a wide belief that Catnip Tea can be highly health beneficial. It can either be bought as fresh catnip which is said to be more potent or packaged. The applications of Catnip Tea range from fever reduction over anti-inflammatory or antiseptic. Some have even used it as a pain-reliever. Catnip Tea basically is a relaxant which is why it is often used before going to bed. While it is usually used as a tea it can also be supplied in leaves that can be chewed.

Most people know Catnip Tea for its relaxing sedative properties. Parents like to mix the tea with a few bits of honey to make it taste better for their children. It has the effect to calm restless children and to treat colic as well. Adults like it for its effect on the nervous system which relaxes the body and promotes restful sleep.

There is a lot of other uses for catnip like relieving constipation, stimulating perspiration and acting as a diuretic. It is however to be avoided by pregnant women because it regulates menstruation and relieves cramps.

Catnip tea can be used to reduce fever but it can also be used to increase perspiration without raising temperature to treat the flue, colds, chicken pox or scarlet fever. That is not all however as it can also relieve stomach ache, gas, acid indigestion, upset stomach and control diarrhea.

The tea water of catnip tea can also be gargled or inhaled instead of drunk. Gargling catnip tea can treat sore throats or cough while inhaling it can be helpful to ease the effects of a cold and other respiratory infections. Lastly it can also relax the spasms of asthma.

The antiseptic and antioxidant properties of catnip tea are said to reduce inflammation and to help heal infected gum because of this effects. It is best used as a mouthwash to relieve the toothache. It is also possible to saturate cotton balls with the tea and apply the balls directly to the gum.

Catnip leaves are rich in tannin and vitamins C and E, antioxidants which help the body to heal and repair itself. The tea is used topically on the skin to reduce inflammation and promote healing of burns and scalds, on cuts and abrasions to stop bleeding and disinfect the wound, and to relieve the sting and itching of insect bites. It is applied as a topical liniment for pain, bruises, sprain, rheumatism, and arthritis.

Applied in a bath catnip tea can be used to soothe an irritated scalp and to treat eruptions on the skin. The scent of catnip can repel rats and other insects of applied on the body or ingested.

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