Catnip

(Nepeta cataria )
(Other names: Nezleotu, Pisikotu) It is from the Lamiaceae family. Its homeland is unknown; it grows naturally in the Central and Eastern Anatolia regions of our country. It is a durable perennial herbaceous plant that can grow 50-100 cm in length. It has a four-sided section, raised stripes on the length, slightly hairy, sharp bitter odor and a green colored trunk that branches out.

The heart-shaped, yellow-spotted, toothed, gray-green leaves have fine hairs underneath and are arranged in pairs. When you touch these leaves, you get a mint scent. Cats love this scent so much that they rub themselves against the plant or lie on it.
Catnip blooms in spikes in summer with its bluish purple, white dotted, strong-smelling flowers. Its oval-shaped, brown tiny seeds have a white spot at one end.
The plant, which loves sunny or slightly shaded areas and well-drained soils, grows in all types of soil and reproduces by seeds. If desired, the plant can be propagated by dividing in spring and grown protected from cats.

The catnip plant contains essential oil containing substances called strenellol, geraniol and citral, bitter essences, tannin and vitamin C. Its mint-scented leaves and tender shoots are added to salads in some places.
Its leaves and shoots are rubbed on meat to add flavor. Catnip attracts honeybees to gardens where it is found.

The medicinal effects of the plant and the methods of using them can be summarized as follows:

1. It is stomachic: It relieves stomach discomfort and digestive difficulties. It removes stomach and intestinal gases. It solves stomach cramps.

2. It is an antispasmodic.

3. It is an excellent medicine to relieve diarrhea in children.

4. It is soothing. It relaxes the body.

5. It is used in case of insomnia. It brings sleep in a short time.

6. It is one of the traditionally used cold and flu remedies.

7. Since it has a strong sudorific effect, it is used in diseases such as bronchitis and in cases of fever, and it reduces body fever in a short time.

To achieve these effects, the leaves and flowers of catnip are collected in early summer or early autumn. They are carefully dried in a shady place. 2 teaspoons of the dried plant mixture are taken and brewed in 1 glass of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. One glass of the infusion obtained can be drunk three times a day.

1. Catnip plant has astringent and vasoconstrictive effect. It is used in the treatment of boils.

2. It has an antiseptic effect. It is effective in acne treatment.

3. It is good for discomfort felt in the temples and headaches.

In the treatment of boils, the young leaves and flowering spikes of catnip are crushed and a poultice is made. This poultice is applied to the boils. For acne, headaches and discomfort felt in the temples, the infusion described above is applied to the face and temples by rubbing.