Also, catnip's antispasmodic properties help to calm upset stomachs and reduce flatulence, bloating and diarrhea. Amongst cat lovers it’s a well-known fact that Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is the thing cats love above all else, tuna aside that is. It can cause headaches , vomiting , and a feeling of being ill. Presently, Stephini conducts research and assistance on customer relationship management campaigns for 30 year veteran executives and business owners as an operations manager for a small, boutique executive assistance CRM firm. Learn more... Catnip is a wonderful, underrated herb. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 133,785 times. How to Steam a Pumpkin (Never Buy Canned Again! Catnip tea benefits are countless, and the rich variety of constituents makes it a useful source that provides multiple advantages. When flowers are there, the oils in the leaves (stuff that appeals to cats) are at a maximum. Rinse catnip leaves (and other herbs, if using), and set aside to dry. This herb is native to Europe, although it has become common in other parts of the world for its benefits to humans and cats. The cats in my extended family and I thank you. Some say that it doesn’t harm babies in any way because it is purely herbal, while others don’t really believe the idea of drinking catnip tea because of its side effects. Cats will go bonkers for these catnip crackers, so save them for rainy days and special occasions. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. It's best if you wait to see flowers. Catnip contains nepetalactone, an essential oil that stimulates feline pleasure receptors. I purchased the exact same Catnip Tea - Cat Treats and Toys in a grocery store while I was visiting in Abington, England. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Catnip Tea for Cats. Place the catnip into a tea strainer or tea ball. Then crunch up the leaves. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. ", "Very good information and helpful hints!". Once harvested, catnip is sold to health food stores for use in herbal tea mixtures, as well as to cat owners and manufacturers of cat toys. The catnip will lose potency if exposed to light. When I got back home I gave one of the tea bags of catnip to my two cats, which I immediately knew one bag was a mistake. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Catnip is an herb and can therefore be used to make tea. You should dry catnip, which you can do using the same methods used to dry other herbs. ", "I now know the proper way to tend my catnip after harvesting. Place in a cup or in several saucers for many cats. This article received 13 testimonials and 95% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. How to make catnip tea To make catnip tea, mix 2 teaspoons of dried catnip leaves or flowers with 1 cup of boiling water. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If you want to add stuffing, add it and use less catnip. My son got me a kitten for Mother's Day. No, do not freeze your catnip. Gororong Premium Catnip Teabag for Indoor and Outdoor Cat and Feline, Natural, Safe and High Potency, Improve Cat's Water Intake, 13EA. Yes. In people, however, the effect of these isomers can be mildly tranquilizing and soothing. This member of the mint family is a perennial herb that reaches 1 meter in height and has many branches. Remove the catnip and add the milk. Steep catnip in hot ( not quite boiling ) water for about 6 minutes. Thank you so much. Microwave (10-15 seconds at a time to not burn) until the leaves are brown and crunchy. I had to hurry and throw another tea bag near the fighting cats! I feel I can, "I never thought to cure in the dark. An easy way to dry catnip is to pick off all the leaves from the stem and place them on cardboard for a few days (in a dry area). Thank you. But, you cannot rely on catnip tea to treat your baby. In order to use catnip, crunch the leaves of the herb into powder. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 4.0 out of 5 stars 1. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. By using our site, you agree to our. Only 4 left in stock - order soon. ", and now I do! I had no idea how to dry catnip for my cats, "This helped so much! Add 5 tablespoons of catnip to each sock. Here's how to make catnip kicker toys. What is less well-known is how it affects humans. It looks great in my flower garden. If you are not 100% sure about wild catnip, or the herbs growing by a farmer's field, please do not use them! Let me know if you try this recipe for your cats and what they thought of it. To create this article, 24 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Catnip is for people too, with many uses and benefits.Everyone knows that most cats love catnip, but fewer realize that catnip is not just for cats. Place the catnip into a tea strainer or tea ball. Catnip tea contains vitamins A, B, and C, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and sodium. Pick/cut the stem with flowers and leaves, and then thoroughly dry and crumble leaves and flowers for your pets. Catnip Tea. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. This can be sprinkled on toys, food, beds, or scratching posts – either inhaled or eaten. Add lemon and honey to the tea. Cats can’t only eat catnip treats—the best dry foods for cats will hold them over. Sew the top of the socks closed, making sure you secure the feathers in the sock. In fact, growing catnip is a good idea, even if you don't have cats!Catnip, Nepeta cataria, is a delightful, soothing and medicinally beneficial herb for humans too! Organic Catnip by Cat Kush is an ideal catnip for just about any cat. DIY Catnip Fish You can put a nip smile on your kitties face by making them their own catnip toy containing real catnip, I’ve made them for my cats and for the cats of my friends and I can say honestly that the receiving cats love their catnip fish. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Catnip is non-toxic to cats. ), Vegetarian Biscuits and Gravy Even a Meat-Eater Will Love, A Beginner’s Guide to Tea (FREE Printable), Bacon Fluffernutter Puppy Chow - Bread Booze Bacon, Sweet Potato & Banana Pupsicles | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen, Lime Coconut Puppy Chow - Around My Family Table, Puppy Party Snacks: Ruff-age Veggie Cups and Water Bowl Jello, CSB Holy Land Illustrated Bible (Review and Giveaway). Pour into a teapot or a French Press. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Add the catnip and chicken broth. Begin with about one cup, and be sure to continue boiling for at least three minutes after it starts rolling, just to ensure the water is clean and healthy. This article has been viewed 133,785 times. Simple. While most cats enjoy the herb dried or fresh, they're usually less interested in catnip sprays, which generally don't contain enough nepetalactone to appeal to most felines. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. No, typically once the plant is dry you will remove the leaves and flowers and throw the stalks away. After, let the tea cool to room temperature. We're all familiar with catnip and how it affects cats. Stick a … Bring tea water to a boil. Catnip’s effects have a ticking clock—about five to 30 minutes, Rotman says. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I always have lots of fabric scraps lying around, so I use them up by making toys for my cats and the cats at the shelter where I volunteer. How long you should let catnip tea steep varies depending on who you ask. ", found this great advice in time! They’re odd little things and they like familiarity and routine (which you’ve probably noticed if you’re 5 minutes late putting their food down!). Catnip oil is more concentrated than spray. It can be used to stuff your pet cat's toys, as a treat for them, or even as a tasty home brewed tea for yourself! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. ", all of my questions. ", "I have grown catnip from seed for the first time, and it's good to know how to dry it. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Step 3 – Let Steep. As mentioned, it’s completely organic, including absolutely no preservatives or artificial ingredients that may harm your pet in the long run. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Dry-Fresh-Grown-Catnip-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Dry-Fresh-Grown-Catnip-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Dry-Fresh-Grown-Catnip-Step-1.jpg\/aid53785-v4-728px-Dry-Fresh-Grown-Catnip-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":320,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"507","licensing":"