Nowadays, catmint is not a culinary herb, but is valuable medicinally. A tea made in the usual way from the leaves has been found very effective as a mild sedative, especially for children. Catmint tea is often mentioned in herbal therapy as being prescribed for the over-active child, or one who tosses and turns in bed or is subject to sleepwalking or nightmares. The tea taken hot brings out perspiration, and cold can be taken in a fruit drink. Like all natural medicine, the effect is not quick and spectacular but slower and more lasting. Regular use seems to be indicated to achieve results. The juice of the leaves has been given mixed with wine or treacle or honey to help inward bruising after any heavy fall. Put the leaves through the juicer for this if you wish to try it.
Catnip has long been used as a natural tonic and stimulant for cats, who often love to roll and revel in its foliage; but more particularly they love the root of the plant. If you own a cat, watch its behaviour when you dig around the roots or lift the clump for transplanting or dividing. It will go into ecstasies of delight. Chewing the root of catnip was said to make timid persons fierce and aggressive! Bees are attracted to the sweet-scented blossoms, so here’s another herb to bring those pollen-laden friends to a market gardener’s crops.
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