Echte_Katzenminze

Tea from flowering aerial parts has a mildly sedative and nervine action. Traditionally used for nervous exhaustion, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. The infusion calms without strong hypnotic effect — suitable for adults and older children.

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Warm catnip tea is considered diaphoretic and antipyretic. Used in European folk medicine for feverish colds and influenza to reduce body temperature through perspiration.

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Cold-prepared infusion or cooled tea acts as a tonic and appetite stimulant. Taken warm before meals it supports digestion and relieves flatulence (carminative action).

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Used in traditional European herbalism as a mild emmenagogue for dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain) and amenorrhoea (absent menstruation). Effect is considered mild and not reliably reproducible.

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Essential oil obtained by steam distillation contains nepetalactone and acts as insect repellent against mosquitoes, cockroaches, and termites. In laboratory tests comparably effective to DEET as a spatial repellent, but less effective than DEET when applied directly to skin.

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Fresh or rewarmed leaves applied as a poultice to bruises (especially black eyes) and contusions. Astringent tannins and rosmarinic acid are thought to provide anti-inflammatory action.

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