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Seed | Catnip
  • Seed | Catnip
Seed | Catnip

Seed | Catnip

$3.99 CAD
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Grow catnip, a hardy perennial prized for its medicinal properties and feline appeal. These seeds produce plants with aromatic leaves and purple flowers that attract pollinators.
A LITTLE HISTORY
  • History of Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
    Catnip, also known as catnip or catnip, is a perennial plant in the Lamiaceae family. Here's a look at its history:
  • Origins
    Origin: Catnip is native to Europe and Asia, but has spread to other parts of the world, including North America.
  • Ancient use: Traces of its use date back to Antiquity, where it was prized for its medicinal properties.
  • Traditional Use
  • Folk Medicine: Used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including digestive disorders and infections.
    Aromatic plant: Appreciated for its pleasant aroma, it was also used to perfume sachets.
    Modern Popularity
  • Effects on Cats: Catnip is best known for its stimulating effect on cats, causing playful and euphoric behaviors. This effect is due to a chemical compound called nepetalactone.
    Garden cultivation: Today, it is cultivated not only for its ornamental appeal but also for its use as catnip.
PROPERTIES

Medicinal Properties of Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

  • Catnip, also known as “catnip,” has several interesting medicinal properties:
  • Calming and Sedative:
  • Used to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
  • Digestive:
  • May relieve digestive upsets, such as bloating and upset stomach.
    Antimicrobial:
  • Has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which may help fight certain infections.
    Anti-inflammatory:
  • Can reduce inflammation, beneficial for joint and muscle pain.
    Antispasmodic:
  • Helps relieve muscle cramps and spasms.
    Use in Aromatherapy:
  • Its essential oil is sometimes used for its relaxing effects in aromatherapy practices. Catnip is therefore both a fascinating and useful plant, with a rich history of medicinal use.

In humans, catnip has been used more to calm agitation and pain.

  • It has been widely used for this purpose, including relieving infant colic, teething pain, and calming agitation in children.
  • It was also used in the past as a uterine stimulant in cases of difficult childbirth or to induce menstruation. Catnip tea was traditionally used as a medicinal plant for restlessness, nervousness and nervous disorders, coughs, asthma, gas and diarrhea.
  • Traditionally, it was made into a syrup, with elderberries and flowers, to calm coughs and relieve sneezing. Today, dried catnip is added to food for flavor, used as an herbal supplement, and brewed into tea.

Although there isn't much research on the plant, there may be some slight benefits to drinking catnip tea. Catnip is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids and phenolic acids.

  • These include:
    Caffeic acid Rosmarinic acid Coumaric acid. Studies show that rosmarinic acid has more powerful antioxidant effects than vitamin E. Antioxidants prevent cell damage caused by free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer and atherosclerosis. Rosmarinic acid is also used to treat stomach ulcers and asthma.

Precautions
Although generally considered safe, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before use, especially if pregnant or with pre-existing medical conditions.
HOW TO COOK?

Recipes using Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Although catnip is primarily known for its effects on cats, it can also be used in cooking.

Here are some ideas:

  • 1. Catnip Infusion
    Preparation: Add a few fresh catnip leaves to a cup of hot water.
    Brewing time: Let it steep for 5-10 minutes.
    Use: Enjoy as a herbal tea, possibly with honey.
  • 2. Catnip Salad
    Preparation: Chop fresh catnip leaves and add them to a green salad.
    Ingredients: Mix with fresh vegetables, nuts and a light vinaigrette.
  • 3. Catnip Pesto
    Ingredients: Substitute catnip leaves for basil in your pesto recipe.
    Preparation: Mix the leaves with nuts, garlic, cheese and olive oil.
  • 4. Scented Sachets
    Preparation: Dry the catnip leaves and place them in cloth bags.
    Use: Use them to scent wardrobes or to make infusions.
  • 5. Herb Butter
    Preparation: Mix chopped catnip leaves with softened butter.
    Use: Spread on bread or grilled vegetables.

Noticed
Before consuming, make sure the catnip has not been treated with pesticides. Always check that you are using the correct plant, as some plants can be toxic.
HOW TO GROW?

It will be necessary:

  • Cold stratification:
  • Prepare the seeds: Clean them and, if necessary, soak them for a few hours.
  • Mix: Mix the seeds with a moist substrate (sand or vermiculite).
  • Condition: Put everything in an airtight bag.
  • Refrigerate: Place the bag in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 weeks.
  • Check: Make sure the substrate remains slightly moist.
  • Sow: After the stratification period, sow the seeds in prepared soil.

That's it! It helps the seeds germinate.

Caution: Seed dust, mix sand with the seeds in a salt shaker or in the small plastic bag in your envelope, to have a clump

Our seeds are vigorous, open-pollinated and adapted to the Quebec climate.

  • Species: Nepeta cataria; Lamiaceae
  • Sowing: Early March indoors, early April under cover outdoors or sow broadcast on the surface to be cultivated outdoors.
    in spring after the last frosts on the ground in your region or towards the end of August
  • Seeds: 10-15 seeds per pot, final transplanting into an outdoor pot or soil around mid-May
  • Sowing depth: 0.5 cm
  • Germination time: 10-25 days
  • Soil: Poor, humus-rich, loose and well-drained
  • Location: Sun and tolerates shade and cold very well
  • Spacing between plants: 30-40 cm
  • Height at maturity: 75-80 cm
  • Maturity: 70-80 days | Perennial
  • Seed per envelope: +/- 200

Our seeds are guaranteed for the year of purchase.

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