The essential oil of catnip is derived from the catnip plant, scientifically known as Nepeta cataria or commonly known as catmint plant. It is is a whitish-greyish plant and this herb has been known to stimulate our furry, feline friends as they are highly attracted to this perennial plant that is native to Europe and some parts of Asia! Yes, it really does excite them and stimulates them, making them quite hyper-active!

However, this herb is not only for cats! Even us, humans can reap much beneficial effects from this plant as it has a very calming, relaxing and sedative effect on us. Historically, it has been used as a herbal remedy to augment the digestive health and to promote calmness in Europe. Its essential oil, derived from steam distillation of the plant’s leaves, can definitely be used to treat a wide variety of ailments!

So, while you dismiss catnip oil as something that doesn’t serve you any benefit, think again! Read on to find out more about what catnip oil can do for your health!

Health Benefits of Catnip Essential Oil:

1. Soothes Anxiety and Tension

Catnip essential oil, when used by humans, serves as a potent relaxant as it induces calm and relaxation after a stressful or tiring day. The chemical compound present in catnip, that is nepetalactone which stimulates cats, does not have any effect on humans.

As such, the oil is able to soothe away any mental fatigue or exhaustion, stress and tension to rejuvenate and revitalize as well as to provide mental clarity. It is a good sedative that is mild for those who are suffering from anxiety. Not only that, since it is able to calm your senses, it is great for relieving insomnia and promoting restful, peaceful sleep!

How to Use it: Diffuse around 2-3 drops of catnip oil in a vaporizer or diffuser and put it beside your bedside table. Alternatively, you can add about 4-5 drops of the oil in a tub of warm, bathing water to soothe your tense nerves.

2. Supports the Digestive System

Catnip essential oil, with its carminative properties, helps to remove excess gas found in the stomach and intestines. It removes the gases in a downward motion and prevents the formation of additional gases from forming. As such, it is a good agent to cure yourself from bloating or chronic gas trouble.

Not only that, it is a stomachic, which means it is able to ensure the proper maintenance of the stomach and intestines. It stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes and bile in the stomach, therefore ensuring the proper breakdown of food and preventing the occurrence of stomach ulcers.

As such, catnip oil is a useful agent to treat and prevent a whole range of digestion-related problems, such as indigestion, acid reflux, bloating, diarrhea and formation of stomach ulcers. With its anti-spasmodic properties, it is also able to alleviate spasms, cramps and convulsions that occur within the muscles of the stomach walls and intestinal lining. This hence to helps relieve stomach cramps as well.

How to Use it: By diluting it with a carrier oil (such as coconut, jojoba or almond oil), gently rub the diluted catnip oil onto your abdominal area in circular motions.

3. Provides Menstrual Relief

Another beneficial effect of catnip essential oil is that it is able to induce and regulate menstrual flows. This is very useful because it prevents the obstruction of menstrual flow, therefore mitigating the risks of complications such as fibroids, cysts, tumors and even cancer that might result because of obstructed menstrual cycles.

Not only that, it helps to provide pain relief from cramps, fatigue and nausea that commonly accompany such menstruation periods. Because of its anti-spasmodic attributes, it relaxes the muscles of the uterine walls and prevents them from overly contracting or cramping up. As such, discomfort from menstruation will cease to exist!

How to Use it: You can dilute the oil with a carrier oil first in a 1:1 ratio and proceed to gently massage it onto your lower abdominal area.

4. Promotes Detoxification

Since it is a stimulant, catnip oil helps to stimulate a detoxification process within your body. It has diaphoretic and diuretic properties that aid in the detoxification process. Being a diuretic, catnip oil promotes increased frequency and quantity of urination. Being a diaphoretic, it helps to induce sweating.

All these actions, while uncomfortable, remove toxic substances from your body, such as urea, uric acid, excess fats, salt and water. Therefore, this is especially beneficial because it cleans the liver and kidneys and prevents them from developing diseases or infections, such as liver damage or renal failure, due to a buildup of these toxins. It can also reduce blood pressure levels since it stimulates sweat.

How to Use it: You can add a few drops of catnip oil onto a tub of warm, bathing water and soak inside to induce sweating. Alternatively, you can diffuse the oil in a diffuser or vaporizer and breathe in the aromatic wafts.

5. As a Potent Insect Repellent

Catnip essential oil is also a powerful insect repellent, and science can attest to this! In 2006, a study was carried out, which was subsequently published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. The study found that catnip oil was the best oil to repel 3 types of mosquito species, out of the 5 essential oils which includes thyme, amyris, eucalyptus and cinnamon essential oils. The catnip oil provided complete protection for 6 hours straight!

As such, catnip essential oil is a great insect repellent to disinfect your house and offices as it keeps out these unwanted creatures. This is important because then, it will keep your house or office clean and fresh, all while preventing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases at the same time!

How to Use it: You can diffuse the oil in a diffuser or vaporizer or you can make your own mosquito spray by adding a few drops of it to a spray bottle containing water. You can also add sandalwood oil into the mix for optimum results!

6. Tightens the Skin

As an astringent, catnip essential oil is also great for tightening loose muscles and sagging skin. As such, it can help to prevent the onset of signs of ageing such as sagging skin and keeps your face firm and tight, thus maintaining that youthful and radiant glow! It also helps to tighten muscles and even the gums, thus preventing the loss of teeth and loosening of the teeth!

How to Use it: You can dilute catnip oil with equal amounts of a carrier oil of your choice (such as coconut, jojoba or almond oil) and massage onto your face. Alternatively, you can also add a few drops of it onto your daily skincare products.

7. Augments the Nervous System

Catnip oil is also a tonic that supports the nervous system well. It is a nervine that is able to alleviate common nervous disorders such as shaking hands or limbs, vertigo and the lack of quick muscle reflexes. As such, it is able to stimulate the nervous system and combat sluggishness or lack of alertness.

How to Use it: You can essentially diffuse the oil in a diffuser or vaporizer and let the aromatic wafts engulf you to stimulate your senses.

Safety Precautions:

• Catnip oil blends well with lemon, lime, mint, eucalyptus, myrrh, citronella and geranium essential oils. You can always experiment blending these different oils together in aromatherapy treatments in your diffuser or vaporizer.

• Before topical application onto your skin, be sure to dilute the catnip oil with a carrier oil in a 1:1 ratio and perform a skin patch test first to ensure no allergic or sensitive reactions result.

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should be cautious before using any essential oils. It is believed that catnip oil can induce menstruation so it is best for pregnant women to avoid using the oil.

• If you are taking any other prescribed medications, especially sedative or diuretic medications, be sure to consult your doctor first before using catnip oil as a form of treatment.

References:

Zhu J, et al., “Adult repellency and larvicidal activity of five plant essential oils against mosquitoes”, Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association (2006); 22(3)