Catnip: The Humble Prize in Your Organic Garden

Though catnip, or catmint, is most often thought of as an herbal enjoyment for cats, it has been used for centuries as a powerful remedy for a multitude of human ailments and complaints. A member of the mint family, catnip originated in Europe and parts of the Mediterranean and was brought to North America by early settlers as a vital part of their herbal pharmacy, or apothecary as it was known at their time. Because it propagates so readily and easily, it can now be found growing throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

Catnip in the Garden

This hardy perennial has a fresh, minty fragrance. It enjoys dry, sunny areas where many other plants would be difficult to grow. The erect, branched stems can grow to 3 feet high and 3 feet wide. Catnip features grayish-green fuzzy leaves and small white to lavender flowers that bloom from June to September. Many have grown catnip for the enjoyment it provides to their cats, who fall in love with the herb's foliage, blooms and fragrance. It often becomes a permanent feature of their gardens.

Catnip is a natural insect repellent - often used in mosquito repellents. It is effective as an organic pesticide, making it a valuable addition to any organic herb or vegetable garden. At the same time it attracts bees, butterflies and birds beneficial to the garden. It's lore in attracting cats is accurate – they often display a frenzied passion when first coming across it. So, if you are in an area where there are a lot of cats about, it's wise to protect it with fencing or prepare to replant it several times in a season!

Growing Catnip

Catnip will grow well in almost any soil though its aroma is increased when grown in sandy soil. It prefers full sun but it will also do well in moderate shade. It quickly propagates by seed, cuttings or root division with plants 12 to 18 inches apart. Catnip can be grown in large well-draining pots in sunny areas. Harvesting and cutting the plants back completely after the first bloom will give them time to re-grow and bloom a second time. Since it is self-propagating, it will return reliably year after year.

Fresh leaves can be harvested as needed for use in teas or cooking. The flowering tops are the most potent part of the plant and can be harvested usually in July and September. Harvested stalks should be dried in the sun and then kept in paper bags in a dry area for storage to help maintain fragrance and color for as long as possible.

Medicinal Uses of Catnip

Catnip can be enjoyed simply as a lovely, relaxing cup of tea. To make an infusion (tea), pour a cup of hot, but not boiling, water over about a teaspoon of dried catnip leaves and steep for 6 - 7 minutes. Strain and, if you wish, add honey and/or lemon to taste. Combine with other herbs such as chamomile, spearmint, lemon verbena, rosehips or most any other aromatic herbs for delightful herbal teas.

Catnip is a very safe herb, even for use with babies and young children – it warrants no warnings, side-effects or contraindications, just common sense. As an antispasmodic, it's an effective and natural treatment for relieving colic in babies. A mild infusion can be offered in a bottle or it can be mixed with formula. Catnip also has strong calmative properties, making it useful for adults and children to relieve restlessness, nervousness, anxiety and assist with relaxation and sleep.

To make a gentle, natural and effective sedating tea to treat insomnia, pour 1 cup of hot water over about a third to a half teaspoon each of: catnip, chamomile and lavender (scullcap or passion flower can be used instead of lavender with equal effect). Steep for 6-7 minutes then strain. Add honey, if desired, to sweeten. Sip the tea 30 minutes to 1 hour before bedtime to enjoy a wonderful night's sleep.

To make a calming syrup for use with young children (and pets - for example, before a trip to the vet), make a stronger infusion by using 1 teaspoon of each of the three herbs as above in 1 cup of hot water. Strain, pressing the herbs in the bottom of the strainer to extract as much liquid as possible, then mix with honey to make a pleasant tasting syrup. Offer about 1 teaspoon of syrup per 8-10 pounds of body weight. Visible relaxation will usually be apparent in 15-30 minutes. These herbs are all entirely safe, so more can be offered if needed.

In addition to its antispasmodic and sedating properties, catnip has a long history of being used to treat digestive disorders such as cramps, gas and indigestion, nausea and diarrhea. It helps to reduce fevers by promoting sweating making it useful for treating flu or other fevers naturally and the antispasmodic properties help to treat coughs. Applied externally as a poultice or added to a bath, it relieves skin irritations. A strong infusion can be used to control fleas on pets and in carpets.

If you happen to have a cat, catnip will provide you with some healthy laughs as well.

This is the 4th of a series of articles presented in conjunction with Julian of Organic Family Circle and myself, Chris Molnar of Go Organic Gardening. The series is exploring the use of and encourages the home growing of simple organic herbs as health tonics and preventatives, whilst also venturing into the culinary pleasures they have to offer.

Read the Entire Series

• Organic Herb Gardens: From Garden to Kitchen to Medicine Cabinet
• Growing Herbs for Fresh Organic Salads
• Basil: Powerhouse of Flavor, Nutrition and Healing
• Catnip: The Humble Prize in Your Organic Garden
• Chamomile and Lavender: Fragrance and Health in Your Organic Herb Garden
• Spotlight on Cilantro - A Spice and Medicinal Remedy All In One