Friday, February 1, 2013

Pagan Blog Project: C is for Catnip



Most of us are familiar with Catnip. It something that many cats LOVE! There is nothing cooler than watching your cat roll around on the floor with a catnip filled toy. My cat is all blissful when I give her catnip toys, she gets frisky and acts like she did as a kitten (16 years ago!). One of the benefits of giving your cat catnip is that is creates a psychic bond between the two of you.



Catnip is a fairly easy to grow perennial herb from the mint family. Common catnip can grow 3 - 5 feet high and has white flowers with purple spots.  It likes partial shade but grows well in full sun.  If you plan on growing this near your home it is recommended that you put chicken wire cages around young plants until they become established to protect them from cats. Also noted, cats will generally leave catnip plants alone unless the leaves or branches are damaged. Damage to the plant releases the chemical that attracts cats.

There are other uses for catnip, both magical and medicinal, and they aren't for kitty!

Before I get to those, here is some magical information regarding Catnip.

Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities: Bast

Other than intoxicating your cat, catnip can be used in love spells, to attract good spirits and good luck, as well as in spells for beauty and happiness. All in all, catnip seems to be a good herb to have around. 

Fun: according to Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical herbs, If you hold catnip in your hand until it is warm and then hold anyone else’s hand; they will forever be your friend as long as you keep the catnip used in the spell, also large catnip leaves have been pressed and used as bookmarks in magical texts and Book of Shadows. 

Other Magical uses:

When grown near your home, catnip attracts good spirits and luck. The nice thing about catnip is that is an attractive plant with pretty little flowers, the drawback, it is from the mint family so it will grow wild if you let it.

Add catnip in your love sachets, mojo bags, and poppets to attract love.

Medical uses:
(Please note that I am NOT a physician, nor am I providing medical advice, use catnip at your own risk)

Medicinally catnip has been used to treat respiratory infections, to reduce fever, as a decongestant, to help ease a cold of the flu, to reduce menstrual cramps and applied externally to cuts. It has also been used to treat colicky babies, headaches, indigestion and stress related conditions and even reduce red-eye.  Taken as a tea, catnip can be used as a sleep aid.

Caution: Catnip can cause uterine contractions and stimulate menstruation so do not take if you are pregnant!!

Basic Catnip Tea
Add 1 Cup of boiling water to 1-2 teaspoons of catnip
Steep for 10-15 minutes
I would add a teaspoon of honey.

If you would like more information on growing and harvesting catnip visit:

Additional sources:
Encyclopediaof Magical herbs by Scott Cunningham

2 comments:

  1. catnip tea sounds weird but it totally works for fevers due to its high mineral content as well as stomach pain and headache because it is relaxing. It doesnt make humans wig out like cats though. too bad lol mine has a lot of fun with it.

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  2. With a new bunny in the house I updated my 'what can rabbits eat' info. Apparently, they love to chomp on catnip, too, although it doesn't get them high. Thanks for this. I might grow a patch for Mr Butterbean.

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