How to Make Catnip Tea 5 Different Ways
5 Catnip Herbal Tea Recipes That You Can Brew at Home
Today, we delve into the enchanting world of catnip – a beloved herb celebrated for its relaxing and soothing properties. Whether you’re an herb connoisseur or an intrigued first-timer keen to tap into everything this herb has to offer, this guide is sure to have a recipe you will enjoy.
The Joys of Catnip
Before we explore our favorite catnip tea recipes to make at home, let’s go over the benefits of the catnip plant. Catnip, also known as Nepeta cataria, is a member of the mint family identified by its fragrant, fuzzy leaves and clusters of white or lavender flowers. Traditionally, it has been used in herbal medicine for conditions ranging from stomach aches to stress and fever relief. Catnip also elicits a distinctive response in most cats.
How Catnip Herbal Tea Can Spark Joy
The following collection of 5 catnip tea recipes is not merely a compilation – it’s a gateway to relaxation and natural healing. We have tailored each catnip tea recipe to serve a specific purpose, ensuring that these teas are simple for you to prepare and effective with just a few ingredients.
As we embark on our exploration of homemade herbal recipes, you’ll learn how to combine catnip with herbal allies like chamomile, lavender, and more. Each herb is selected to complement catnip’s unique properties.
An Important Note
While the catnip that we carry can be safely given to cats either as a dried herb or as a brewed tea, we do not recommend any of these herbal catnip recipes for feline consumption. The other herbs in these recipes may not be safe for your cat to consume. These herbal catnip blends are intended for human use only.
1. Digestive Aid Catnip and Peppermint Tea
A natural remedy like this catnip and peppermint tea blend can offer some comfort for mild digestive issues like gas and bloating.
Health Benefits of Catnip and Peppermint
Catnip is renowned for its soothing properties, particularly in relieving symptoms of stress and aiding in relaxation, which can be beneficial for digestive health. It’s mild sedative effects can relax the gastrointestinal tract, helping to ease discomfort from indigestion and gas. Peppermint compliments catnip beautifully with its own digestive benefits; it’s known for its ability to relieve symptoms of IBS, including bloating, gas, and intestinal spasms. Together, catnip and peppermint make a powerful due for supporting digestive wellness.
Recipe Instructions
Here’s how to prepare your digestive aid catnip and peppermint tea:
Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon dried catnip
1/2 teaspoon dried peppermint
1 cup boiling water
Honey or lemon (optional, for taste)
Instructions:
Combine the dried catnip and peppermint in a teapot or directly into a cup.
Pour the boiling water over the herbs and cover the teapot or cup with a lid or saucer to preserve the essential oils and steam.
Allow the herbs to steep for 15-30 minutes. The longer you steep the tea, the more potent it will become.
Strain the tea through a fine mesh or tea strainer to remove the plant matter.
If desired, enhance the flavor of your tea with a bit of honey or a squeeze of lemon.
When to Use This Tea
The optimal time to drink this catnip and peppermint tea is after eating a large or heavy meal, as an aid to help ease digestive discomfort. It’s particularly effective when experiencing symptoms such as gas, bloating, or indigestion. This blend of catnip and peppermint has a refreshingly minty flavor, making this natural remedy not only enjoyable to consume but helpful as well.
2. Catnip and Chamomile Dental Discomfort Tea
Dental discomfort can range from mildly annoying to intensely painful, challenging day-to-day activities and overall wellness. Whether it’s the aftermath of dental surgery, the throbbing pain of braces, or the emergence of wisdom teeth, finding a natural approach to ease this discomfort can be incredibly beneficial.
Health Benefits of Catnip and Chamomile
Catnip has been historically used as an herbal remedy to soothe teething pain for infants. It possesses pain relieving properties that are gentle yet effective in relieving dental discomfort. Its gentle sedative effect can also reduce anxiety often associated with dental issues. Chamomile compliments catnip by offering its potent anti-inflammatory and soothing capabilities, making these herbs a powerhouse duo for oral health care.
Recipe Instructions
Here’s how to prepare your catnip and chamomile tea:
Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon dried catnip
1/2 teaspoon dried chamomile
1 cup of boiling water
Instructions:
Combine the dried catnip and chamomile in a teapot or directly into a cup.
Carefully pour the boiling water over the herbs, ensuring they are fully submerged.
Cover the teapot or cup with a lid of a saucer to keep essential oils and steam locked in.
Allow the mixture to steep for 15-30 minutes, depending on your desired strength. A longer steep time will yield a stronger infusion, which is ideal for using as a mouth rinse.
Once steeped, strain the tea to remove the herbs, leaving a clear liquid.
When to Use This Tea
This catnip and chamomile dental discomfort tea blend can be used in two ways: as a strong brew for use as a mouth rinse or as a milder tea for sipping. For using as a mouth rinse, brew the tea stronger and let it cool before gently swishing around your mouth and spitting it out. This can help alleviate topical discomfort and inflammation. For systemic relief, brew the tea weaker and enjoy it as a warm beverage to soothe dental pain from the inside out.
While this natural remedy can provide relief for dental discomfort, it’s important to remember that it does not replace professional dental care and treatment. Always consult with your dentist or healthcare provider to address persistent pain.
3. Soothing Catnip and Lavender Tea
Unwinding after a long day or seeking a tranquil transition into sleep can sometimes be a challenge. Incorporating a calming herbal tea blend into your evening routine can help enhance relaxation and pave the way for a restorative night’s rest. This soothing blend of catnip and lavender is intended to assist in calming the body and mind, promoting a state of peaceful sleep.
Health Benefits of Catnip and Lavender
Catnip aids in alleviating stress and anxiety, which are common culprits of sleep disturbances. Lavender, renowned for its aromatic fragrance, also possesses potent relaxation benefits. It not only soothes the nervous system but also improves sleep quality by deepening relaxation.
Recipe Instructions
Here’s how to create your own soothing catnip and lavender tea:
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon dried catnip
1/2 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
1 cup of boiling water
Honey or lemon (optional, for taste)
Instructions:
Combine the dried catnip and lavender flowers in a teapot or place them directly into a cup.
Pour the boiling water over the herbs, ensuring they are fully submerged for optimal infusion.
Cover the teapot or cup to preserve the essential oils and aromatic qualities of the herbs.
Allow the mixture to steep for 15-30 minutes. The steeping time can be adjusted according to personal taste and desired strength.
After steeping, strain the tea to remove the herbs.
If desired, enhance the taste with a touch of honey or a dash of lemon. Both can add a pleasant dimension to the flavor.
When to Enjoy This Tea
The best time to savor this soothing catnip and lavender tea is in the evening, as you start winding down and preparing for sleep. Its gentle calming effects are most beneficial when you’re ready to relax and embrace a night full of deep and peaceful sleep.
4. Ginger and Catnip Tea for Nausea Relief
Nausea can be an unsettling and uncomfortable sensation, but it serves as the body’s way of indicating distress. While it’s crucial to understand and address the underlying cause, natural remedies like ginger and catnip tea can provide soothing relief.
Health Benefits of Ginger and Catnip
Ginger is renowned for its powerful anti-nausea properties, making it a staple in herbal medicine when it comes to digestive health. Its active components, such as gingerol, directly affect the digestive system, easing stomach discomfort and preventing the feelings of nausea. Catnip complements ginger by offering its calming effects. As a mild sedative, catnip not only helps in relaxing the digestive system but also contributes to an overall sense of well-being, further aiding in the alleviation of nausea symptoms.
Recipe Instructions
Here’s how to prepare your nausea-relieving ginger and catnip tea:
Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon of dried ginger root
1/2 teaspoon of dried catnip
1 cup of boiling water
Honey or lemon (optional, for taste)
Instructions:
Combine the dried ginger root and dried catnip in a teapot or directly place them into a cup.
Pour the boiling water over the ginger and catnip, ensuring that they’re fully submerged.
Cover the teapot or cup with a lid or saucer to keep the essential oils and steam contained.
Allow the mixture to steep for 15-30 minutes. Adjust steeping time based on your preference for strength.
Strain the mixture with a fine mesh or tea strainer to remove the ginger and catnip.
If desired, add honey or a squeeze of lemon to enhance the flavors of the tea.
When to Use This Tea
This ginger and catnip tea is best consumed at the first sign of nausea. The warmth of ginger, combined with the calming effects of catnip, make this tea a comforting and natural remedy for digestive unease and nausea.
5. Hops and Catnip Tea for Anxiety and Nervous Stomach
Anxiety and a nervous stomach can make day-to-day life challenging. While it’s crucial to address the root causes of anxiety with the help of healthcare professionals, natural remedies like hops and catnip tea can provide supplemental relief.
Health Benefits of Hops and Catnip
Hops flowers, commonly known for their role in brewing beer, have sedative properties that can provide relief from anxiety and nervous stomach. Additionally, they contain bitter compounds that help to stimulate digestion in times of weakness. Catnip also provides a calming effect. It helps soothe the nervous system and can be a useful herb for easing digestive upsets linked to nervous stress. This tea blend is a valuable ally for those with a nervous stomach.
Recipe Instructions
Here’s how to prepare your hops and catnip tea for anxiety and nervous stomach:
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon dried hops
1 teaspoon dried catnip
2 cups boiling water
Honey or lemon (optional, for taste)
Instructions:
Combine the dried hops and catnip in a teapot, or place them directly into a heat-proof cup.
Pour the boiling water over the herbs. Cover the teapot or cup with a lid or a saucer to prevent the escape of essential oils and to retain the heat.
Allow the herbs to steep for 15-30 minutes. The duration of steeping can influence the tea’s strength, so you may adjust according to your preference.
Strain the tea using a fine mesh or a tea strainer to remove the herbs.
If desired, enhance the taste of your tea with a bit of honey or a squeeze of lemon.
When to Use This Tea
The perfect time to enjoy this hops and catnip tea is during moments of heightened anxiety or when you feel a nervous stomach coming on. Its calming properties can help create a sense of tranquility, making it easier to navigate your day or prepare for a restful night’s sleep. Although hops impart a slightly bitter taste, blending it with catnip and (optional) honey can produce a pleasantly soothing beverage.
Using Catnip at Home
In delving into the various ways catnip tea can be used, we have showcased an array of benefits ranging from relaxation to alleviating nausea and calming a nervous stomach. By harnessing the power of catnip and other herbs, you can can enhance your well-being and pave the way for a more holistic and healthier future. We hope that you enjoy making these herbal recipes at home.
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References
This blog post has been compiled from reliable sources to ensure the veracity of the mentioned details. Any reference to scientific studies, historical data, or culinary information on catnip has been thoroughly cross verified.
Sharma, A., Cooper, R., Bhardwaj, G., & Cannoo, D. S. (2021). The genus Nepeta: Traditional uses, phytochemicals and pharmacological properties. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 268, 113679.
Akbar, S., & Akbar, S. (2020). Nepeta cataria L.(Lamiaceae) (Syns.: N. bodinieri Vaniot; N. ceretana Sennen; N. citriodora Dumort.; N. laurentii Sennen). Handbook of 200 Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Review of Their Traditional Medical Uses and Scientific Justifications, 1279-1285.