后院石垒的花园里，长了一丛丛象薄荷一样的草。初春收拾庭院时， 把枯枝剪平，只留了根。雨季中，它们开始露出茸茸嫩嫩的枝叶。两只猫总会倘佯其中 ，闲闲地咬几口来吃。然后便愉快地在地上打滚。甚至很大方地露出肚皮让你抚摸……

掐下一枝嫩叶，细细地闻，然后放到嘴里嚼一下，便会有一股薄荷的芳香弥漫。想想它甚得猫之喜爱，猜想它可能就是人们常说的猫薄荷（Catnip)。肯定不是什么毒物，我便总是拿下几只泡茶。 看着玻璃杯的水慢慢变绿，便会心情舒畅起来。

出差一周回来，毛茸茸的叶子中开出了一朵朵紫色的小花。让人惊喜非常。这个庭院的设计者，肯定对紫色情有独钟。葡萄是紫色的，很多我尚道不出姓名的花草都是紫色的……

查了一下百科全书，据说猫薄荷草对猫咪有兴奋作用，但对人却有镇静的功效，所以猫薄荷草可用来制成茶(catnipTEA)，帮助睡眠及缓解紧绷的情绪，另外功用还包括减轻胃痛、腹泻，以及帮助伤口的愈合等等。

没想到猫薄荷居然有这么多的好处。这种草在加州多用来装饰庭院。在Lowes或者Home Depo也只是标明Herb。 在网上看到一篇文章。 且把它放在这里吧。
 



10 Healing Benefits of Catnip Tea （猫薄荷的10种治疗功效）

You maybe wondering why catnip tea is so popular these days. It is all because of its well known healing benefits. To name just a few, catnip:

• tea is great solution to treat colds, flues, and other bacterial and viral infections
• extract can help with headaches, even migraine
• herb can help eliminate toothaches and gastrointestinal distress
• tea can help you to relax and sleep
• plant is safe enough that even small children can benefit from its use

 

Catnip tea is made from the catnip plant, usually in the form of a catnip tea bag that steeped in hot water. For anyone who wants to experience all the healing benefits of this plant without using the tea form, it is possible to find catnip extract which can be taken instead. This herb has no negative side effects, but pregnant women should not use catnip tea or any other form of this plant, because it can cause uterine contractions. Catnip tea can be made using a catnip tea bag, or you can crumble up one to two teaspoons of fresh catnip plant and add it to hot water. After steeping the catnip for ten minutes, strain and discard the plant material, then drink. Catnip tea taken three times a day has many healing benefits:

1. Cold and Flu Remedy （治感冒）
One of these is in treating the flu and common colds. Because catnip tea has antipyretic effects, it can help break a fever, and keep your body temperature down during these common illnesses.

2. Powerful Detoxifier （强力净化）
The catnip plant will also cause you to sweat more without allowing your body temperature to rise, so you can sweat out the toxins without a fever.

3. Cure for Headaches and Migraine（治偏头痛）
Catnip tea or catnip extract can also be helpful in eliminating headaches, especially migraine and stress headaches. This natural remedy helps to relax your muscles, and this in turn will help relieve headaches which are caused from tension or stress.

4. Has a Sedative Effect （镇静剂）
This tea has another benefit as well, it is a mild sedative. This means a cup of catnip tea can help you get to sleep at night, and stay that way. This is a natural sleep aid without any harmful chemicals or drugs.

5. Helps to Calm Nerves of Hyperactive Children（多动症）
Catnip tea can have benefits for children as well. This plant can help calm the nerves of children, stopping restlessness and agitation. This is true of adults as well, because of the relaxing effect this plant has on the nervous system. Catnip leaf or tea can also help children who have colic, by calming down the stomach and relieving intestinal cramping and discomfort.

6. Helps Relieve Pain during Menstrual Period（减缓痛经）
In women, this valuable plant can help bring on their menstrual period, and relieve many of the symptoms which occur with this cycle, like bloating, cramping and abdominal pain. The relaxing effect also helps make this time each month less stressful. The catnip plant also help tone the muscles of the uterus, making it stronger.

7. Pain Reliever for Rheumatism and Arthritis（减轻关节痛）
Using a poultice made from catnip leaves for rheumatism and arthritis is effective. Make a poultice and apply it to the swollen and painful joints for ten minutes, and you will see and feel a big difference. This remedy will work on any joint condition that includes swelling and pain.

8. Natural Band Aid （自然创可贴）
The catnip plant can also be used to stop any bleeding and to help speed the healing of any scrapes or cuts when the plant is applied to them. Catnip leaves are like Mother Nature’s band aid.

9. Helps with Digestion Problems and Upset Stomach（帮助消化，减缓胃痛）
Drinking catnip tea can prevent or cure indigestion and stomach upset. The catnip extracts calm your stomach and help lower the acid levels, and this plant can help stimulate your appetite as well. Catnip tea can help with gas pains, abdominal cramping, and other intestinal problems.

10. Toothache Remedy（治疗牙痛）
Catnip is also good for toothaches, when used in a poultice and applied to the affected area. It can not replace the dentist, but the catnip poultice may help you find relief until you can get to the dentist and get the problem taken care of.

The catnip plant offers many healing benefits that can be very effective, and this is one reason why this herb is so popular.