Catnip, like many other members of the mint family, can be brewed into teas that help digestion and reduce discomfort. Catnip can be smoked, it works as a slight sedative, providing a sense of calm and relaxed tranquility.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) belongs to the mint family. This plant is native to Europe, though it spread to several other continents (it is considered an invasive weed). It is also popularly known as catswort, catnip and fieldbalm.

The height of this plant is two to three feet. It has heart shaped toothed leaves which appears grayish in color due to the presence of fine downy hairs on it.

History and benefits

Due to the medical properties of catnip it has been long used in China and other European countries for treating several health problems. This plant can be good for digestion; it acts as a sedative, tranquilizer, promoter of menstruation, effective cure for infant colic etc.

When this plant is consumed in the form of tea, its aromatic flavor is considered to be a remedy for cough and cold, gives relief in case of chest congestion and also loosens or relaxes muscles.

This plant promotes sweating, which is traditional way of treating fever. The leaves of thisplant are often chewed to give relief in case of toothache and it is also smoked to treat asthma and bronchitis. During the later half of 1960’s smoking catnip became very popular and it was used as a hallucinogen. The effect of catnip on humans varies greatly depending on the way it is consumed, it can either be smoked, taken in the form of juice, tincture or tea.

The flowers of this plant can be white or lavender in color with purple reddish spots. This plant has a minty type of fragrance and blooms for 3 or 4 months starting from June up to September. Nepetalactone is an active ingredient of the plant. The presence of Nepetalactone affects the nervous system of both humans and cats, although in a different manner. This plant has an intoxicating affect on cats and calming affect on humans.

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Effects

The leaves or flowers of catnip can be dried and then later used for smoking. Generally when this plant is smoked it warms the entire body, it produces a sense of calm and relaxation and sometimes a mild sense of euphoria coupled with giddiness. Smoking this plant does not have hallucinogen effects. However if a mixture is made of catnip and other dream enhancing type of herbs like mugwort or calea zacatechichi and is then smoked, it can have dream enhancing effects.

Many people who drink catnip tea report that it has a slight hypnotic effect and can cause good sleep, it also helps to relax when taken after a hard day of work. The potency of this particular type of tea depends on how long the plant has been steeped.

If a small dose of this plant is taken (approximately 1.5 grams) the effect is not long lasting and continues for only two or three hours. People return to their normal state with a mild or no handover. Overall it can be said that smoking catnip produces a good experience.

Side effects

Intake of catnip by humans can have some common side effects like headache or nausea, if taken in large dose, people may feel dizzy after smoking it. Pregnant women should avoid smoking or drinking catnip as this plant can potentially cause uterine contractions.

The Food and Drug Administration has termed catnip as a plant of undefined safety. However it must be noted that there has been no reports of toxic reaction to this plant which makes it fit for smoking.


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