Catnip for me & you

Already happily growing in my garden is my Catnip
One of my favorite herbs for me & my cats!!
Its one of my main ingredients in my "Sleepy" tea blend

It has sedative properties & makes a relaxing and soothing tea. Valerian root which contains similar active ingredients, is often included in herbal sleep potions.

Because it is soothing and relaxing (antispasmodic) it is also used for digestive upsets (nervous dyspepsia) where the main cause is tension. Catnip is also recommended for muscular pain, cramps, colic in babies, spasms and tics and stomach pains. It is also helpful in headache where tension is mainly responsible.

Another bonus is Catnip leaves contain considerable quantities of vitamins C and E, both excellent antioxidants

Lastly Catnip (Nepeta cataria), is a hardy perennial, A herb of the mint family (Labiatae) so it is very easy to grow.
~Citrine~

Catnip's soothing effect is also useful in reducing menstual pain.

Catnip good for dogs

Did you know that cats aren’t the only 4-legged family members who like the stuff? Dogs do too!
For cats, it’s a stimulant – but for dogs, catnip has an opposite effect. So if your dog is the type who gets nervous riding in the car or going to the vet, try putting a few fresh catnip leaves in her drinking bowl or sprinkle dried catnip (about 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon per pound of food) on his food.

Catnip contains minerals: magnesium, vitamins E and C, tannins and flavonoids. It also contains essential oils which can aid in keeping your cat’s and dog’s digestive system in good shape. In fact, catnip can relieve gas which makes it ideal for dealing with flatulent pets.

Some research reveals catnip as ten times more effective in repelling mosquitoes than DEET. And because catnip contains a compound called thymol, it can also be used as antiseptic treatment for external cuts, scratches and sores on your family pets.
Red more of the article here -http://blog.bestvaluedrug.com/medicinal-benefits-catnip/

Catnip as Insect and Rat Repellent

Catnip as Insect and Rat Repellent
There is a long tradition of planting catnip near a house or barn to repel mice and rats and to keep insects away.

Research has shown that cockroaches and termites are repelled by Catnip.

Catnip has been used where cat sleep to help keep fleas away. The effect on cats only lasts for a few minutes and the cat is not affected after this time. The catnip needs to be regularly refreshed with new grass to keep it working.

More recently, research done at Iowa State University, showed that catnip was 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.

In the 1960s, Cornell University naturalist Thomas Eisner reported that catnip oil repels insects (Science 1964, 146, 1318). The paper suggested that nepetalactone defends against plant-eating insects.

Chemical And Engineering News article on catnip including chemical structure.
Read more of this article on catnip -http://www.christinedemerchant.com/catnip_for_humans.html

Catnip Magical Correspondences

Catnip Magical Correspondences:
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Gender: Feminine
Associated Deities: Mostly associate with Bast, catnip is also associated with Venus and Sekhmet.
Magickal Properties:
Animal magick, beauty, happiness, love.

Magickal Uses:
Creates a psychic bond with cats.
Promotes playfulness.
Used for love spells in mojo bags and sachets. Use with rose petals in love sachets
Grown in the garden, it attracts good spirits and luck.
Add to dream pillows to promote sleep
Large leaves have traditionally been used for marking pages in magical books.
Catnip enhances beauty and happiness.
Grow it near your home to attract good spirits and great luck.
Mix with dragon's blood in an incense to rid oneself of bad habits or behavioral problem
~Citrine~