If you are looking for a natural sleep aid you may be wondering about catnip for insomnia. Anyone who suffers from sleepless nights can benefit greatly from this helpful herb and it is the superior choice to addicting prescription medicines and over the counter drugs.
You’ll see why catnip is so valuable for a good nights rest, how to take and safety concerns.
Let’s look at some important information first.
Background Information
Family: Labiatae and other mints
Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria
Common Names: Catmint, catrup, cat’s-wort, field balm
Medicinal Properties: Anodyne, antispasmodic, carminative, aromatic, diaphoretic, nervine
A Nation Awake
Unfortunately, about 1/3rd of Americans experience insomnia regularly and 10 million depend on habit forming sleeping pills. I never used to have a problem sleeping but recently began having trouble. Sometimes I wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning and can’t fall asleep again for hours. Catnip has been a godsend for me.
Not getting enough sleep, which I can confidently say, makes your time awake less enjoyable. Personally, I feel more anxious and have a hard time concentrating with a snooze under 6 hours. I notice my mood is worst and I get tired much faster.
Sleep is essential for health and well being; it’s when your body repairs itself. Without it you are prone to sickness and all aspects of your health suffer.
There’s no one cause either. For some it’s a physical problem while mental and emotional for others. Some causes are:
- Overeating
- Indigestion
- Stress
- Tension
- Worry
- Poor Circulation
- Nervousness
Whatever the issue is, catnip will help you tremendously.
Catnip For Insomnia: History, Scientific Proof And Expert Opinion
Catnip is one of the best natural sleep aids on earth and has a long history for it. The Chinese consumed it over 2000 thousands years ago. So did the Native Americans, European explorers and early American settlers.
German researchers isolated the chemical, nepetalactone isomers, responsible for its sleep inducing effect. These chemicals give off a tranquil and sedative feeling.
Nepatalactone isomers are very similar to what is found in valerian; another herb that promotes restorative sleep.
One of the leading authorities on healing herbs, James A. Duke Ph.D., claims since catnip is part of the mint family “it tastes much better than valerian.”
Another famous herbalist, Jetho Kloss, claims catnip is “one of the oldest household remedies” and helps with insomnia because it is very “soothing and quieting.” He goes on to say mothers can really benefit from proper use of it and it can “save them many sleepless nights and doctors bills.”
Why Catnip Over Sleeping Pills?
The great thing about catnip, and herbs in general, is they do so much for your overall health. Prescription medications and sleeping pills can help for a short period of time but have undesirable side effects. There is a real danger for addiction.
If this happens it will only make your insomnia worst. Your body will build up a tolerance to them and it will take more and more to get any benefit at all; this is when overdoses happen.
If you’ve taken NyQuil than you know there is a hangover the next day. You wake up really tired and have a hard time focusing. Overuse wears your nerves out too.
Catnip strengthens and soothes your nerves. It isn’t habit forming either. There’s no hangover and it improves:
- Digestive Problems
- Lessens anxiety
- Helps with women health concerns
- Prevents Cataracts
- Great with colic in infants
It really is a wonderful herb.
How To Take And Side Effects
Some herbs are unpleasant tasting; catnip is not one of them. It belongs to the mint family so it has a very pleasant taste.
To make an infusion use 2 teaspoons of the dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 to 20 minutes and then strain. DO NOT BOIL CATNIP, this dissipates its natural healing oils. If drinking throughout the day, you can drink up to 3 cups. If you are drinking for sleep, drink a glass 45 minutes before bed.
You can also try a catnip extract and take between 10 to 20 drops in water or juice.
Unlike prescription medicines and over the counter drugs, there really aren’t any side effects. You should always talk to your doctor before taking medicinal amounts of anything, especially if you are pregnant or are already taking medications.
Other Tips For Good Sleep
There are a few things you can do to ensure good sleep. The first would be to improve your diet and make sure to get outdoor exercise. This will make your body completely healthy and improve any physical issues preventing rest.
Many people benefit from a warm shower or bath before bed while drinking a sleep inducing herbal tea. This can also be done with a hot foot bath.
You may want to look into relaxation exercises too. I’ve heard progressive muscle relaxation can be very helpful.
There are a few more herbs that are good with insomnia. Some of them are:
- Valerian
- Lemon Balm
- Lavender
- Hops
- Chamomile
- Skull cap
Not all are as tasty as minty catnip though!
Consider Catnip For Your Nighttime Needs
This herb is more than most people realize. It has so much medicinal value and will fight insomnia.
If you are looking to purchase catnip I would like to recommend Starwest Botanicals. This is where I buy all my herbs and they are well known and very respected. I just checked a few seconds ago and they had over 10 different catnip preparations including extracts, teas and dried leaves. If you would like to know more about Starwest, click below:
Learn More About Starwest Botanicals
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Thanks for reading!