Herb of the Week: Catnip

Most people have heard of catnip's effects on cats, maybe even seen it exaggerated in cartoons, but catnip is also for human consumption. This is what we call a "nervine", something that is calming to the nervous system. Which, you know, is the opposite of what it does to cats. Catnip is part of the mint family. Did you know that mint comes from Minthe, a Naiad nymph, who was bad mouthing Demeter's daughter, Persephone, and Demeter decided to trample and transform her into the mint plant? Yeah, don't mess with mamas. Anyway, catnip is also really good for digestion which, if you've ever heard the phrase, "rest and digest", it makes sense that things that calm us down would benefit digestion. The added benefit of Catnip is its effect on smooth muscle tissue (that's the muscle tissue that lines our internal organs) and can help with stomach or menstrual cramps. As for its witchy references, it's best known for its use in Cat Magic, to help solidify the bond between witch and their feline familiar and has been used as an offering to the Goddess Bast. It can also be used in rituals that you might need to overcome something difficult, or healing rituals, and it can be used to increase your psychic abilities (which includes vivid dreaming). It's not a super powerhouse herb, but Catnip does bring some interesting advantages to our health and our magic.