Catnip
Latin name: Nepeta cataria
Aroma Description: Herbaceous-floral scent.
Therapeutic benefits
- Can help promote a restful night’s sleep and create a relaxing atmosphere.
- When combined with Citronella, it helps keep outdoor annoyances at bay.
- Helps relieve muscle and head tension when applied topically.
- Useful for relieving discomfort due to gas.
Kidsafe?
Yes! Catnip IS KidSafe.
Dilution instructions:
Dilute to 1-3% in your favorite carrier oil for topical application. Use to help ease headache tension.
Diffusion instructions:
To create a relaxing environment, add a few drops to your diffuser.
Oils to blend with:
Bergamot, Citronella, Clary Sage, Helichrysum Italicum, Lavender, Lemon, Rosalina, Sandalwood Australian and Turmeric CO2.
Check out all our other essential oil spotlight blog posts by heading to our Spotlight Page!
Before we get to all the good stuff about Catnip essential oil, there’s one very important thing we need to address. And that’s our kitties.
Since catnip treats and toys can provide such enjoyment (for them and us), you might find yourself tempted to use this oil with your cat. But don’t. This essential oil is for humans only. And if you want to learn more about essential oils and cats, check out this blog post.
Relaxation & sleep
Catnip probably isn’t the first oil you think of when it comes to relaxation. But it shouldn’t be overlooked! This herbaceous floral smelling oil is excellent for creating a relaxing, soothing atmosphere. And if you find yourself having a hard time getting to sleep due to stress or anxiety, diffuse with other relaxing oils like Sandalwood and Lavender for a great sleepy blend.
Outdoor spray
Now that the summer is upon us, we’re spending so much more time outside. And with the great outdoors comes bugs. For a natural way to help keep outdoor annoyances away, keep Catnip on hand. Mix with equal parts of Citronella to 3% in you for a favorite carrier oil. If you prefer a spray, you can use water and Everclear or a high proof vodka. Just make sure the alcohol is at least 20% of your mixture.
Help relieve tension
Whenever you feel a tension headache coming on, reach for Catnip. Once you’ve diluted it in your favorite carrier oil, massage onto your temples. It will help soothe the headache and relieve the tension. And since it’s also good at helping with overall relaxation, it might even help with the stress or anxiety that caused the headache in the first place.
Gas & discomfort
Gas is something we all experience from time to time. And quite frankly, it can be uncomfortable (not to mention embarrassing). If you find yourself feeling bloated and wishing the waistband on your pants were just a little bigger, massage diluted Catnip onto your abdomen in a clockwise manner to help with the discomfort.
