Kotovnik, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which we will consider in this article, is a perennial plant of the labiate family. It is often also called cat grass, mint, booze, field balm, as well as matoshnik, kitty, sore grass and fragrant chandra. Consider this plant in more detail: what it represents, what are the healing properties and how to use it correctly.
Description
In appearance, this herb resembles mint. It reaches from forty to one hundred centimeters in length, has branched tetrahedral stems and sharp oblong pubescent leaves of an ovate-heart shape.
Small flowers are painted in white or lilac-bluish tint and collected in inflorescences, the diameter of which varies from one and a half to two and a half centimeters, and in length - from 3.5 to 8 centimeters. Brown fruits have the shape of a nut - an ellipse.
Kotovnik, whose photo you can see in our article, blooms in the middle of summer, and the fruits ripen, starting from the second half. The aroma of the plant is sharp and very pleasant. The smell of catnip is lemon. Its medicinal properties extend not only to animals (as you can guess from the name), but also to people.
Where grows
The plant can be found in western and eastern parts of Europe, in Asia, in the west of Siberia and in the Caucasus. In Canada and the United States, it is specially cultivated. In the wild, catnip grows in the form of shrubs and is found in forests, fields and meadows, riverbanks and near roads.
By the way, in the Middle Ages flowers of different varieties were grown quite a bit, but catnip was surely found among them. Its medicinal properties were already widely used then and, in addition, it was added to culinary dishes.
Collection and Harvesting
As a medicine, the ground part of the plant is used, that is, the stem, leaves and flowers. Their collection is made during flowering. For this purpose, the plant is cut off about ten centimeters from the ground. The grass is dried in a well-ventilated area or in the fresh air.
Dry catnip acquires a greenish-grayish color. In this form, it can be stored for two years. After harvesting, the stem grows quickly and blooms again after a month. The biggest harvest is catnip in the third year of life. It contains an essential oil that gives a pleasant lemon scent. The composition also includes tannins and bitter substances, saponins, vitamin C and glycosides.
Features
Did you know that most of the sold lemon balm, and as a result of this grown in the gardens, is nothing more than a catnip? And indeed it is. The plant looks very similar to lemon balm. But to distinguish one from the other is easy.
It is necessary to pick up grass and grind. If this is a catnip, the smell will become unpleasant, but the real lemon balm will retain its aroma. In addition, the dry grass of the plant in question is a bit like the smell of cat urine. And another visual difference is that the fruits of catnip have two white dots. But with Melissa this is not observed.
Smoking
In ancient times, and in some countries to this day, dry leaves of this plant chew and smoke like tobacco. But in this form, of course, catnip does not reveal medicinal properties. And the contraindications here, perhaps, even outweigh, since the grass to some extent turns into a drug. True, the harm to health, unlike modern cigarettes, from it will be much less. But getting used to such an action is evil in any case.
Beneficial features
As a medicinal herb, catnip is used for various purposes. So, he has the following action:
- bactericidal;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antipyretic;
- painkillers;
- soothing;
- sweatshops;
- antispasmodic;
- general strengthening;
- choleretic;
- anthelmintic;
- restoring the menstrual cycle.
The catnip herb, the medicinal properties of which we are considering, perfectly improves appetite, the digestive process, and normalizes the functioning of the intestines. Its use helps to increase heart rate and eliminate seizures.
It will help with cough, gastrointestinal diseases, bronchitis, migraines, hysteria, shortness of breath, anemia, jaundice and other diseases.
In addition to internal reception, it is possible to use the plant externally. This is true for inflammatory processes of the skin, scabies, furunculosis, acne and eczema. Catnip essential oil will be effective in case of lead poisoning - it can improve the patient's condition. Also, the product has a high antimicrobial effect. Of it, decoctions and tinctures are usually made.
Recipes
Let's look at a few tricks for using Hungarian catnip. The healing properties of this herb are especially noticeable in depression, hysteria, and angina pectoris.
To do this, make the following infusion: add 300 ml of boiling water to a tablespoon of herbs in dry powdered form and leave to infuse for an hour. Then take half a glass three times a day.
The same recipe is also suitable for external use in skin diseases.
For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or headache, the following infusion is made: a small spoon of grass is brewed in 200 ml of boiling water and insisted. This is best done in a thermos and then strain. The tool is taken in a tablespoon three times a day.
A mixture of herbs is also very effective. For example, in case of skin diseases, they take St. John's wort, blueberries, mint, laurel, yellow root, Irish moss, blue verbena, sorrel, fenugreek, yellow gentian, old-root root, ash and, of course, catnip in the same proportions. Three tablespoons pour 400 ml of boiling water and insist for an hour. First, tincture of the mixture is drunk once a day, gradually increasing consumption up to three times.
If the child has insomnia, then for him you can prepare a decoction of the mixture, which includes the following herbs: valerian, chamomile, passionflower, catnip, Baikal skullcap. All components are taken in equal proportions, brewed three tablespoons with two glasses of boiling water and kept on fire for five minutes, after which they insist for an hour. Use the drug three times a day, 100 ml for half a month.
An excellent analgesic effect has a tincture of the following herbs: catnip, valerian and scutellaria. They are taken in equal proportions. Then two tablespoons of the mixture is poured with two glasses of boiling water and insisted for a third of an hour.
Cooking use
In Europe and the East, shoots and leaves of catnip are used in the form of spices, adding to salting and pickling as a seasoning. They also flavor meat and fish dishes, drinks and sauces. The plant is often used as tea leaves. And confectionery products get a special taste if you add catnip essential oil to them.
Use in veterinary medicine
In addition to use for humans, the plant also helps animals. Cats, breathing in its aroma, become peaceful, balanced, playful and playful. Therefore, it is especially useful to give a branch of catnip to animals that are in stressful situations, for example, when moving or going to the veterinarian.
This effect applies not only to small cats, but also to all animals of the cat family. This has been known for a long time. So, the plant was used as a bait for lynx fishing.
But catnip acts on insects, on the contrary, in a frightening way. Mosquitoes and even cockroaches are afraid of him. Therefore, essential oil is often added to insect repellents.
Other plant properties
Fragrant catnip, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which we describe, contribute to relaxation, normalization of emotions and mood, balancing. By the way, this witchcraft action of the plant was known back in the Middle Ages.
The dried leaves from it were used as bookmarks for books on magic. Kotovnik was used for a love spell. And the gypsies before a date drank tea brewed on the grass with the addition of honey.
The plant is used for a variety of purposes. With the right approach, it can be a great helper in various situations. However, you should know that in some cases catnip has contraindications. So, the plant can not be used primarily for pregnant women and mothers during lactation. In addition, its use is extremely undesirable for children.
It remains to add that the information available today regarding what the catnip has medicinal properties and contraindications is far from complete. Therefore, its use should be careful.