The health benefits of Catnip Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties as an anti-spasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, nervine, stomachic, stimulant, astringent, and sedative substance. Catnip, also known as Cat Mint, is a whitish-gray plant with the scientific name Nepata Cataria. As the name implies, this plant, with its mint-like aroma, has a lot to do with cats. It may sound funny, but it’s true. It gives cats a truly hair-raising experience and stimulates them. However, this funny purpose is not the sole reason behind the popularity of Catnip. Catnip is a well known medicinal herb that is used for the treatment of many ailments. These medicinal properties come from the various components of Catnip oil, such as Nepetalactone, Valeric Acid, Geraniol, Monoterpene, Nepetalic Anhydride, Citral, Limonene, Dispentine, Thymol, Citronella, Caryophyllene, Nerol, Bio Flavonoids, Nepetalic Acid, and carotenoids.
Catnip Essential Oil Health Benefits
The various components of Catnip essential oil give it many important benefits that can improve our lives. Some of them are explained in greater detail below.
Relieves Spasms
This essential oil can cure almost all forms of cramps, whether they are muscular, intestinal, respiratory, or any other part. It efficiently relaxes muscle pulls and helps to cure spasmodic cholera. Since it is an anti-spasmodic, it cures all other problems related with cramps or spasms.
Essential oils have benefits beyond aromatherapy. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Eliminates Gases
A carminative, as we all know, is a property that helps in the removal of gases from the intestines. Gas that is trapped in the intestines and forced upwards can be very dangerous and sometimes even fatal. It causes a choking feeling, causes chest pains, indigestion, and uneasiness raises blood pressure and gives acute stomach aches. In this sense, catnip oil can help you a lot. It effectively removes gases through downward movement (which is safe) and does not let additional gases form. Catnip oil is very good for those who are suffering from chronic gas trouble.
Detoxifies the Body
As a stimulant, it has diaphoretic properties as a well. Catnip oil promotes profuse sweating. Many people hate sweating because it creates body odor and a wet, uneasy feeling. However, let me tell you that odor from sweat results only when the person has some problem inside their body, such as indigestion, obesity, or kidney problems. Therefore, odor in sweat is an indication of toxic substances that have accumulated in your body. A person who is healthy is supposed to sweat reasonably and regular sweating actually drives away body odor (if you take a bath afterward) because it is an effective way to remove toxins. Catnip oil helps you sweat and helps you reduce your weight, reduce blood pressure, and remove toxins and excess salt from the body, keeps your heart healthy and in some cases, can drive away fevers.
Emmenagogue
This is yet another side effect (a good one, since side effects are not necessarily bad) of the stimulating property of Catnip oil. It stimulates the hormone secretions and helps to regulate menstruation. It is particularly good when someone is suffering from obstructed and irregular menses. It also eases cramps and reduces the pain associated with menstruation.
Healthy Nervous System
Catnip oil acts as a tonic for the nerves and the nervous system. It helps to cure many nervous disorders, including shaking hands or limbs, nervousness, vertigo, Parkinson’s disease, convulsions, sluggishness, and a lack of reflexes. Basically, it strengthens nerves and activates them.
Reduces Stomach Disorders
Catnip oil is stomachic, meaning that it keeps the stomach in order and functioning well. It cures stomach disorders and ulcers, while ensuring the proper flow of bile and gastric juices and acids in the stomach. Sometimes, the inner lining of the stomach is corroded due to prolonged acidity, which can result in an ulcer. This happens due to a lack of bile, which neutralizes the acids. Catnip oil can help you avoid this situation, since it helps to maintain proper secretions in stomach.
Promotes Urination
Catnip oil is diuretic in nature, which means that it promotes urination. It increases the frequency of urination. Thus, it is very beneficial for those who are suffering from any extra accumulation of water in the body, which results in swelling, due to chronic renal failure. It relieves those people by removing extra water from the body through urination. It also helps in losing weight, reducing blood pressure, and removing toxins like uric acid from the body.
Stimulant
It is a well-known stimulant. It not only stimulates humans, but cats as well. Catnip oil can stimulate all the functions or systems that operate in the body, such as the nervous, brain, digestive, circulatory, and excretory systems.
Astringent Properties
Catnip oil has astringent properties. It tightens loosened skin, muscles, and gums. It can prevent the loosening of teeth and teeth loss for a long time if used regularly.
Sedative Effect
Catnip essential oil has remarkable sedative properties. It is very effective in curing insomnia, tension, and anxiety. Basically, it relaxes both the body and mind. Other Uses and Benefits It helps in curing dyspepsia, colic, migraine, and flatulence. Nepetalactone has insect repellant properties and keeps away cockroaches, mosquitoes, and other insects. Thymol, a component of Catnip oil, has proven antiseptic properties. It is also used on cats as a training aid, and reducing anxiety. A Few Words of Caution: This essential oil is not recommended for pregnant ladies. Blending: It blends well with Lemon, Lime, Mint, Eucalyptus and Myrrh oil. [1] [2] [3]
