Catnip

Catnip, also known as catmint or catswort, scientific name Nepeta cataria, is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Catswort has benefits on cats, for these pets in fact it acts as a neuro-active agent, but has also benefits for humans. First at all, it acts as an anti-mosquito repellent. According to a study perfomed by the University of Iowa and presented a few years ago at the meeting of the American Chermical Society, nepetalactone, the essential oil of catswort also responsible for its pungent smell, is a repellent against mosquitoes and it has been demonstrated to be up to ten times more effective than many sprays on the market. For this reason catnip is an excellent plant to grow at home, on the balcony or in the garden. But the properties do not end here, in fact, the catnip is used to prepare remedies with antispasmodic, relaxing, expectorant, sedative, digestive and carminative action. It is used in case of back or muscle pain, contractions but also stress, insomnia and abdominal cramps. You can find catnip in the form of mother tincture, you can take 50 drops of mother tincture in a little water after dinner. Alternatively, you can also use the dried plant to prepare a useful infusion in case of colds but also stubborn hiccups. Bring a cup of water to the boil, remove it from the heat and add 1 teaspoon of catswort, leave to brew for ten minutes and drink.