Who needs catnip and why
Among the many species of mint, catnip, catnip or budra stand out. Is catnip useful and what is it for? The plant differs in numerous variants of peduncles, size and decorativeness. An invariable sign of a plant belonging to this species will be the love of all felines, regardless of their habitat. At the same time, it is noted that the effect of catnip on felines is less than that of valerian.
Description and photo of catnip
The plant is cultivated in gardens, used as a pot plant for home gardening. Unpretentious catnip develops in the shade and at temperatures up to 25 0 heat. Loves moderate watering... Of the pests for catnip, only the spider mite is terrible.
Why do cats love Budra?
It has long been known that cats love valerian. But not everyone knows about their indifference to Budra grass or catnip. At the same time, not only pets, but also the king of animals, and the graceful lynx are not averse to inhaling the aroma and nibbling a leaf of catnip. Zoologists have determined that during the period of puberty of this species of animals, the smell of a plant for them is comparable to the secretions of a female individual, ready to mate. Nepetaloktone is present in the essential oil of catnip. It is this substance that stimulates a third of sexually mature males. Others calmly tolerate his aroma.
Catnip is a pheromone for cats. The action of nepeetalactone is directed at the cerebellum and hypothalamus. The cerebellum shapes the behavior of cats in response to stimuli received. However, for kittens up to six months and most of the adults, the plant does not give a behavioral response, like a female. Animals are calm about the thickets of the catnip in the country flower bed.
Useful properties of catnip for humans
Numerous names for catnip indicate its distribution throughout the world. Why do people need catnip? It is known for its decorative and healing properties. It is used by:
- creating garden compositions;
- in cooking;
- for medicinal purposes.
In landscape design, cultural forms of catnip are used. Ornamental plants are used to collect medicinal raw materials. They bring beauty to the creation of rockeries and rocky gardens. However, a special decorative effect is obtained by creating flower beds of perennials on well-fertilized soil. Catnip gratefully responds to organic feeding and watering. At the same time, the flower brushes of plants become longer. It is not always possible to recognize an inconspicuous forest dweller in a decorative luxurious flower.
During the first year after planting, the catnip is not cut to obtain medicinal raw materials. Harvesting begins in the second year, while the entire aerial part of the plant is used. Leave only stems 10 cm high. The plants are dried in bunches, leaves, flowers and plant stems are used.They are used as spices in cooking. There are few contraindications to the use of the seasoning. It is not recommended to use it for pregnant and lactating women.
However, traditionally in cooking, this herb is used less often than other aromatic plants. For treatment, it is used much more often. Applied infusions and decoctions:
- used as a cold remedy;
- hemostatic;
- fortifying;
- improves the functioning of the digestive system;
- eliminating convulsions;
- treating skin rashes, suppuration, inflammation.
Catnip broth relieves fever in case of colds. It helps to remove phlegm from the lungs with a dry cough. A decoction of catnip increases the immunity of a person who is exhausted by the disease, induces appetite. The analgesic effect of the infusion is used for abdominal pain. It relieves pain and helps relieve spasms. The ivy catnip, popularly nicknamed the fortik, has especially healing properties, meaning from forty diseases.
The essential oil of cat herb is also used. It is used as an antiseptic and is used in the preparation of meat, fish and sweet dishes. People with insomnia drink a cup of tea with catnip at night. In addition, this drug relieves sufferers of night cramps.
You can have fresh catnip leaves all year round. The plant at home becomes a medicine on the windowsill. For planting, you need to use a wide bowl, because the roots of the plant are superficial. Of course, this is possible if the apartment does not have a cat, a lover of Budra.