Catnip Recipes 21

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1 Letter from the Publisher Catnip is an herb that I love to use with kids and people who are highly sensitive to calming nervines. It is a main ingredient in my Calm Kid tea recipe, which is quite popular with my clients and customers at farmers markets. Every time someone unfamiliar with medicinal herbs looks at the ingredients, I get the same reaction: “Catnip! That makes cats crazy! How is it calming?” Well, as it turns out the nervous systems of cats and humans are different, and while the terpenoid nepetalactone makes 70–80% of cats wacky, it is a relaxant and mild sedative to humans.

Not only is it a calming nervine that is wonderfully gentle for kids, it is also a well-known digestif and helps to reduce flatulence, cramps, and colic. It is quite gentle, and therefore perfect to use with young children; it’s a must-have for teething, screaming, and spasms related to crying fits. You know the ones, where the child’s body bows backward, their thighs and arms tighten, and they won’t let you soothe or cuddle them into feeling better?

Being a part of the mint family, it is quite easy to grow and is often found growing rogue in waste areas, near water runoff, and around the ruins of long-gone homesteads. Many herbalists believe that the plants most common around us are meant to be our most-used medicine. Perhaps that is why catnip is so simple to grow and so widely distributed and used. We all need a little bit of calm in our lives.

Green blessings, Amanda

Table of Contents

Catnip Monograph 5

Catnip Coloring Page 12

The Most Refreshing Nervine 13

Catnip Recipes 21

References 28

Glossary of Herbalism 30

Disclaimer 40

3 Catnip Monograph Amanda Klenner We can all use some calm in our lives—a little extra chill that helps us to relax, recuperate, and find peace in an otherwise hectic world. Catnip is fun, because we know it as a plant that stimulates cats and makes them go wild. Some cats act stoned, while others zoom around endlessly attacking things. Despite its cat-stimulant action, catnip is quite calming for people, and it’s a great herb to have in our arsenal for when we’re feeling out of sorts, bent out of shape, anxious, or afraid.

Generally speaking, catnip helps to relax both mind and body, though some say it can be stimulating. I have not noticed it being energetically stimulating to the mind, but it certainly helps to stimulate healthy digestion due to its bitter and minty components.

4 As a member of the mint family, catnip spreads prolifically and unapologetically throughout gardens, open spaces, and wherever else wildlife carry the seeds. It is a short-lived perennial and a wonderful addition to any garden. It’s an herb to have on hand at all times if you have children, suffer from anxiety, experience difficulty sleeping, struggle with digestive issues, or just need a little zen.

Although it is quite useful and generally safe for everyone who isn’t currently experiencing a delicate pregnancy, there is little research done on catnip, and very little written about it other than that it helps to calm and soothe children. Occasionally, herbalists mention its uses for nervous stomach or constipation. Thankfully, this common and abundant plant does more than we might think. Although it is gentle, it is quite effective at easing muscle tension and pain and reducing fevers. It has been used traditionally for thousands of years and is still a go-to in communities where medical access is lacking3 and those who still use traditional remedies.

Latin name: Nepeta cataria

Other common names: catnip, catswort, catmint, catamint

Family: Lamiaceae

Geographical distribution: Native to southern and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of China. Naturalized in North America, New Zealand, and Northern Europe/Britain

5 Botanical description: Catnip is a short-lived perennial that can be cultivated in USDA zones 3a– 9b. It shares many similar characteristics with its Lamiaceae relatives. It has a square stem that can reach 2–3 feet in height. The stem and leaves have fine hairs, and that downy appearance gives a grey tinge to its otherwise green leaves and stem. Leaves are opposite, oval/triangular/heart- shaped with scalloped edges. Leaves can be up to 3 inches long. Flowers occur on offshoot spike-like terminal clusters, and occur all along these with small two-lipped purple/pink flowers, which are approximately ¼ inch long. It spreads willingly, so if you don’t want the plant to go to seed, pinch off the terminal clusters when the flowers finish blooming. Butterflies and honey bees enjoy catnip flowers for its nectar, be sure not to pinch the tops off too soon!

Cultivation: Catnip is easy to grow, and it spreads prolifically like other mint family plants. Sew the seeds outside when the threat of frost has passed, or in pots indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost.

6 It sprouts on average in 5-12 days, depending on soil quality and temperature. It survives in a wide range of soil acidity (mildly alkaline to mildly acidic), does well in all consistencies of soil, and likes full-part sun. It does well when watered but does tolerate short droughts. To grow indoors, use a standard florescent light, or place the plant in an east-facing window. Outdoor plants will probably attract neighborhood cats. Indoor plants will attract house cats, so if you have cats and want to have some catnip for yourself too, be sure and plant a few that are dedicated for cat purposes.

Parts used: leaf

Herbal actions: antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, emenogogue, relaxing nervine, sedative

Energetics: cool, dry, mildly bitter

Constituents: acetic acid, a-terpene, alpha- & beta-citral, butyric acid, carvacrol, citronella, dipentene, geraniol, limonene, nepetol, thymol, nepetalactone, nepetalic acid, nerol, tannins, and valeric acid

Catnip’s Health Benefits and Uses

Antispasmodic

Catnip is a wonderful remedy for those who suffer from cramps or muscle spasms, especially in smooth muscle, perhaps due to its high potassium content. Catnip tea is quite helpful when a person has gas, indigestion, nausea, hiccups, or menstrual cramps.5 It is frequently used for infant colic, where the body is bowed in pain, working to relax the spasm, improve the child’s digestion, and calm them. For muscle cramps and sore muscles, it’s especially helpful

7 when a person is bowed or bent in pain from a pressing upward sensation, like something is trying to escape from the abdomen.2

For painful menstrual cramps that leave a person aggressive or irritable, I like to combine catnip in a tincture or tea with motherwort (Leonoris cardiaca) and another mint (for flavor). As a bonus, catnip tea can also soothe menstrual headaches, nausea, and listlessness. Susun Weed recommends smoking catnip in herbal cigarettes to reduce menstrual cramps, “fast fast fast.”10

Carminative

Catnip is used commonly to aid digestion. Its bitter constituents help to stimulate digestion, soothe gas pain, and relieve constipation.2,6 This bitter flavor stimulates the release of bile, which improves digestion, and its action of stimulating peristalsis helps the body to rid itself of waste. It’s a great addition to herbal bitters, especially calming bitters for people who are under so much stress that their digestion is off. These people usually get constipated when they’re under a lot of stress. Digestion is controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system and can often be slowed or stopped when a person is in a constant state of stress, where their body is in a sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous-system state. In this state, normal body functions like digestion are abandoned in favor of survival functions. Catnip, since it’s both calming and stimulating to involuntary digestive musculature, can address this multi-layered problem, and it’s quite helpful for those

8 who have a nervous or anxious temperament that causes them gut problems.

Catnip, due to its carminative action is also excellent for relieving gassy babies and children, who bow their bodies out in pain because of the pressure buildup.2 Moore says a tincture of equal parts fennel seed and catnip helps to, “sweeten the milk,” referring to breast milk, of course. That combination taken by a mother 20 minutes before nursing would certainly increase milk flow and gently help her baby with colic or gas.

Diaphoretic / Febrifuge

Catnip is a fabulous remedy for fevers. I like it particularly for children with high fevers,11 as it doesn’t increase the body temperature before it brings the fever down, like some other febrifuge herbs do (elder flower, for instance). It instead cools the body by opening the pores to stimulating sweating. Catnip’s antimicrobial effects might also benefit the body during illness. (These benefits are hardly studied, but catnip has been shown to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus in a laboratory setting.4) Herbalist David Hoffman uses catnip during acute bronchitis to help relax the body, reduce muscle spasms, and decrease fever and coughing.9 You can enjoy the tea or tincture to reduce fevers, or you can dip socks into catnip-infused vinegar diluted with water (10% catnip vinegar) and put the socks on. This is perfect for babies who aren’t taking anything other than breast milk or children who can’t be coaxed into drinking anything when they’re sick. Aviva Romm recommends catnip additionally for hot flashes and night sweats during menopause.7

9 Relaxing Nervine / Sedative

This is the best-known use of catnip. I find that it is most sedative and effective for young children, who don’t have the weight of the world on their shoulders quite yet. Children often get overwhelmed, overexcited, and upset when they’re tired, hungry, or frustrated. Catnip can help lull them to sleep if they’re tired, and calm and center them when they’re frustrated. If they’re grumpy because they have to poop, it’s helpful as a bitter and digestive stimulant. Since kids are so sensitive to subtle plants, catnip is a perfect gentle adjunct for calming and soothing upset and overwrought kids.

When I teach, I describe it this way: You know when the kids are so exhausted that they start running around in circles because they know if they stop, they’ll drop, so they just keep running, fighting, and pushing against their exhaustion? That is when catnip is most helpful. We also use it frequently for calming down after an argument or fight, after the kids have nightmares, and on long trips. It’s an important ingredient in my Calm Kid tea, which is equal parts catnip, chamomile, and lemon balm, with a touch of stevia for sweetness. Kids love it and are immediately relaxed when they enjoy it.

I use catnip quite frequently to calm adults as well. It isn’t as sedative for us, but it is a calming nervine, helping us to slow down, center, and see things as they are. I often combine it in tea with oat straw, skullcap, lemon balm, and other herbs as the individual requires to quiet an overactive mind and body and bring emotions into balance. Sometimes, I infuse dried catnip and lemon balm, and perhaps some strawberries into white wine, and enjoy it as a relaxing after-work tonic.

10 Flower Essence

Energetically, catnip seems to have a way of giving us the space to discern fact from fiction, hear what messages the world is telling us, and determine what would be right for us. One client told me after using catnip flower essence, she suddenly felt better about herself, more competent, and more beautiful than she had in a long time, which helped ease social anxiety for her. This was interesting to me, because the stated use of catnip flower essence is: “Stimulates visions and dreamlike states for those seeking deeper inner journeys. Brings peaceful state of bliss while observing life from within oneself. Helpful for those who seem ditzy or spaced out. Brings soul understanding into form in the physical world.”8

Side Effects

Catnip is considered safe for most people, but should be avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy. Since it’s traditionally known as an emenogogue, which means it can stimulate or increase menstrual flow, it isn’t recommended during pregnancy, but it seems to only affect women who are experiencing a “delicate pregnancy.”5,6 In smaller doses, however, it isn’t an issue for a normal pregnancy. This is to be decided an individual basis, but I will generally tell my healthy pregnant mothers in the second or third trimester that they can have it in a mixture of tea in low doses, but I explain the risks as well. It is safe to use during breastfeeding.

Dosage

Dried herb infusion: 5g, 3x a day

Tincture: 2–4 ml, 3x a day

12 The Most Refreshing Nervine Nina Judith Katz Catnip is one of my favorite nervines, both because it’s delicious and because of the responses I’ve seen to it. A gentle remedy, it helps with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems, as well as with mild pain. I personally find it most effective as a fresh infusion versus using dried plant material; but I would encourage you to try both and see how it works for you.

Catnip Tea Catnip is so easy to harvest and use! I make a simple tea with the fresh plant material when it’s in season.

13 Ingredients and Supplies • quart jar • as many sprigs as you can fit into the jar • water just off the boil

Directions 1. Steep for 20 minutes to 2 hours 2. Strain, and add honey to taste. 3. If it’s too strong, simply dilute it with more hot water.

Every summer, I teach a 4-day, intergenerational program called Wild Herb Week. Catnip grows on the site where we meet, and the participants love to drink it daily, sometimes twice a day, as a kind of ritual. Sometimes they call our program “Camp Catnip.”

As we sip the infusion, the participants notice themselves and each other becoming calmer. I notice everyone focusing better. Our first year, we had one participant who was allergic to some of the farm animals in our midst, and extremely anxious because of that. By the third day, her peers were offering her catnip, and she took it willingly. The parents asked whether they’d be safe driving home after drinking it; I reassured them, and we’ve never had a problem, but they certainly appreciated their kids’ mellowness on the ride home! One year, we had a rambunctious toddler, and one afternoon, he became so agitated that he started kicking his brother. His mother carried him, still screaming and kicking, into the kitchen where the catnip was steeping…and almost mid-scream, he mellowed out and melted into her shoulder.

A 2008 study explored catnip’s anxiolytic effect on mice compared to the effects of Diazepam (a standard anxiety medication) and saline. The researchers placed mice in an elevated, open maze to

14 induce anxiety. Three different doses of Diazepam increased the amount of time the mice were willing to spend in the open parts of the maze, as did a 50mg/kg dose of the catnip extract. Higher and lower doses of catnip had no effect, but a 100 mg/kg dose of catnip increased locomotor activity, which the Diazepam lowered. In other words, a higher dose of catnip, relative to weight, acted as a stimulant rather than a relaxant. This study did not find that catnip had any effect on sleep in the mice tested.1

In my experience with humans, however, catnip definitely does help with sleep. Last year, one Wild Herb Camp participant needed to sleep for a day and a half after drinking a 6-ounce glass of strong catnip infusion. She felt that it was useful and healing; she had really needed to catch up on sleep. At the same time, she chose not to drink the catnip for the rest of the week so she could stay awake and enjoy the program. Most people don’t fall asleep immediately or sleep for an extraordinarily long time after drinking catnip, but they do generally find it easier to fall asleep after having some. People who respond very strongly to even mild doses should make a weaker infusion, or use the strong infusion as a concentrate to dilute. We had really filled our jar, stuffing all the sprigs in, and she would have done better to take just a tablespoon of the infusion and fill the rest of her jar with water.

Catnip Popsicles Catnip is cooling, even when it’s hot, but when the temperatures soar, catnip popsicles provide the most refreshing relief.

Ingredients and Supplies • fresh catnip • water just off the boil

15 • twigs and branches (from non-toxic plants, of course), 2½–3 inches long, ¼-inch diameter • ice cube trays

Directions 1. Prepare a moderate to strong infusion (see recipe above) and add a bit more honey than you usually would. 2. If you’re going to freeze the popsicles in plastic ice cube trays, wait until the infusion cools down to room temperature; if you’re using stainless steel, you can fill the trays when the brew is still a little warm. 3. Once you’ve distributed your infusion evenly through the tray, put it into the freezer, and peek in on it in about half an hour. 4. Once the liquid begins to freeze, insert the twigs into the middle of each popsicle. Prop the sticks up as best you can against each other and the walls of the freezer, readjusting as needed when the popsicles are further along; once they freeze completely, this will no longer be possible.

16 Catnip Recipes Amanda Klenner Catnip is so easy to find and abundant because it loves to be used! It’s simple to grow, harvest, dry, and process yourself so that you can have the dry herb on hand all year round. If you can’t grow it yourself, it’s easy to find at your local apothecary, online through Mountain Rose Herbs, or from other reputable herb suppliers. I always have it on hand for anxious people who are highly sensitive, especially those who pick up others’ emotions easily, to help them calm down, re-center, and collect themselves to move on with the day. It is also fun to pop in the cat’s bowl occasionally, to entertain us all. (See the kitty treat recipe at the end of this article.)

Catnip Tea A simple infusion of catnip is both light and refreshing. Slightly refreshing, with green and vanilla notes, catnip tea is easy to enjoy on its own, or combined with your favorite calming herbs. Nina shared a recipe earlier for catnip tea made with fresh plant material—here is one for if you have dried catnip instead.

Ingredients • 1 Tbsp dried catnip herb • 2 C just-boiled water • teapot or tea strainer

Directions 1. Pour the water over the herbs. 2. Allow to steep for 5–15 minutes. 3. Strain, sweeten as desired, and enjoy!

18 Catnip Glycerite I love using glycerites for children. A glycerite is an extract of the medicinal components of the herb, without using alcohol. Vegetable glycerin is a clear, odorless, very sweet liquid with a thick syrupy consistency. It works to help preserve herbal extracts and extract volatile oils and nutritive components of herbs. It doesn’t do a great job extracting resins or alkaloids, which makes it a more gentle, nourishing extract than an alcohol tincture. Glycerites are safe to use for children, and anyone sensitive to consuming alcohol.

Ingredients • catnip (dry or fresh) • organic, GMO-free vegetable glycerin • distilled water

Directions 1. Fill a glass jar halfway with dried catnip, or three quarters with finely chopped, firmly packed, fresh catnip. 2. Fill the jar 20–25% of the way with water, and the rest with the vegetable glycerin. 3. Shake vigorously until the water and glycerin are combined. 4. Allow to sit in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks. 5. Strain well, label with the herb name, if it was fresh or dry, the ratio of herb to menstruum, and the ratio of water to glycerin (75%). 6. Enjoy!

Teething Glycerite This teething glycerite is a lifesaver, not only for the person teething, but for everyone around them as well. When my kids were teething babies, they would have copious amounts of drool and chew on their toys, hands, or me to relieve pressure. I made chamomile tea, dipped it in a clean washcloth, and froze it, letting the kids chew on the wet frozen cloth to relieve teething pain; but this glycerite helped them sleep and lasted longer than the cold washcloth.

These herbs can be made into a tea, but the sweetness of the glycerine helps counterbalance the flavor of the cloves. Clove is an important ingredient here, as it helps to numb the gums; chamomile works as an anti-inflammatory and to calm the child; and catnip also calms, centers, and relaxes them. It also helps them get rid of any gas associated with swallowing their own drool while teething. (This recipe works just as well for adults with tooth pain as it does for children!)

20 Ingredients • 1 part catnip • 1 part chamomile • ½ part clove bud powder • vegetable glycerin • distilled water

Directions 1. Follow directions above for catnip glycerite. 2. Rub the glycerite into the gums of the teething child to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Colic-Ease It is so hard as a parent to watch babies groaning and moaning with gut pain when there isn’t much we can do about it. This combination of herbs is fantastic to reduce flatulence, gas pain, and that arched back screaming pain children get. If you ate something you shouldn’t have and get gassy, this could also help you. It can be made as a tea or a glycerite.

Ingredients • 1 part catnip • 1 part fennel seed • 1 part peppermint leaf • 1 part chamomile

Directions 1. Combine the herbs and prepare as a tea or glycerite (see previous recipes). 2. Give tea or glycerite to the person suffering from gas as needed.

Sweet Sleep I find many of my clients don’t get enough good sleep. They may be physically in their beds for 8 hours, but the time they spend sleeping is much less. This tea is a great way to calm down at the end of the day, and to quiet the mind and body for a nice night of deep sleep. This particular recipe is not recommended for pregnancy, but the calm kid tea recipe below would be fine.

Ingredients • 1 part catnip • 1 part chamomile • 1 part lemon balm • 1 part lemon grass • 1 part passion flower • 1 part holy basil • ½ part licorice root (optional) • ½ part ashwagandha (optional)

22 Directions 1. Combine all ingredients and store in a cool, dry place. 2. To brew, combine 1 Tbsp of the blend with 2 cups of just-boiled water. 3. Steep for 10–20 minutes, sweeten as desired, and enjoy.

Calm Kid Tea This is a best seller at my farmers markets, and many herbalists sell a similar brew. I believe the inspiration for this recipe came from one of Rosemary Gladstar’s books years ago, but I can’t really remember. It is used by families with children who are described as being hyperactive, over the top, and nonstop. I find it works well for children in that state of exhaustion, that decide instead of going to take a nap, they will run around the house in circles, screaming, fighting, and generally wreaking havoc on everyone and everything in their path. This helps calm people, bring them down to a normal level, and even out the crazy highs. This is also a great nighttime tea to calm down and is gentler than the above tea recipe, which

23 was intended more for adults (but could also be used by children if something stronger is needed).

Ingredients • 1 part catnip • 1 part chamomile • 1 part lemon balm • .05 (a pinch) part stevia leaf (optional)

Directions 1. Combine all herbs, bag, and store in a cool dry place. 2. To brew, steep in just-boiled water for 5–10 minutes. 3. Strain, sweeten as desired, and enjoy.

Nerve Tonic Tea Sometimes we need to find some calm in the storm. Many of us are overworked, stressed, and living in a state of chaos. We are constantly working, if we aren’t working at work, we are on our phones, watching television, playing on Facebook, and inviting stressors into our lives, even during our recreational time. This tea is fantastic to calm the nervous system and support nervous- system health.

Ingredients • 2 parts oat straw • 2 parts nettle leaf • 1 part milky oat tops • 1 part holy basil leaf • 1 part catnip • 1 part lemon balm

24 Directions 1. Combine all herbs, bag, and store in a cool dry place. 2. To brew, steep in just-boiled water for 30-60 minutes (up to 8 hours). 3. Strain, sweeten as desired, and enjoy.

Insect Repellant Catnip is also an effective insect repellant that has been shown to repel mosquitos. It also makes cats insane, so I recommend not using this spray around your house cats, just in case. I have used this spray for years during hikes and while I sit outside on the porch in the evenings. It works well, but it has to be applied about every hour to be most effective.

Ingredients • 2 oz catnip tincture • 2 oz yarrow tincture • 4 oz witch hazel extract • 20 drops cedar wood essential oil (EO)

25 • 20 drops lavender EO • 20 drops rosemary EO • 20 drops lemon grass EO • 20 drops palo santo EO (or peppermint)

Directions 1. Combine all ingredients, and store in a glass spray bottle. Apply every hour while at risk of mosquito exposure. 2. Do not use during pregnancy. The yarrow and catnip tincture with lavender would be fine, but the other EOs may cause unwanted side effects during pregnancy.

Kitty Crispies I couldn’t forget about our feline friends! These kitty crispies are a fun treat for a cat, made with real food ingredients instead of the junk found in many pet treats at the store. Your cats will love these treats.

26 Ingredients • 1 egg • 1 can tuna • 1 Tbsp catnip • 2–5 Tbsp coconut or olive oil

Directions 1. Combine the egg, tuna, and catnip in a bowl, until it makes a nice mass of tuna. 2. Roll into 1-inch balls. (Honestly, you could serve them to kitty as- is, but they don’t stay good for more than an hour or so without being cooked.) 3. Place oil in the frying pan and heat. 4. Place balls into the frying pan and flatten with a spatula. 5. Cook until crispy, flip, and cook the other side until crispy. 6. Allow to cool and serve to kitty as a treat. This is not a replacement for a proper meal, but a fun once-in-a-while treat for the cats.

27 References

Letter from the Publisher

"How Does Catnip Work Its Magic on Cats?" Last modified May 29, 2007. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-how-does- catnip-work-on-cats/.

Monograph

1 Southern University Ag Center | Linking Citizens of Louisiana with Opportunities for Success. Accessed May 5, 2018. http://www.suagcenter.com/Images/Interior/sustainableag/plants/cat nip.pdf. 2 Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants. Berkeley, Calif: North Atlantic Books, 2008. 3 Smitherman, L. C. "The Use of Folk Remedies Among Children in an Urban Black Community: Remedies for Fever, Colic, and Teething." PEDIATRICS 115, no. 3 (2005), e297-e304. doi:10.1542/peds.2004-1443. 4 Nostro, Antonia, Maria Angela Cannatelli, Giuseppe Crisafi, and Vittorio Alonzo. "The effect of Nepeta cataria extract on adherence and enzyme production of Staphylococcus aureus." International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 18, no. 6 (2001), 583-585. doi:10.1016/s0924- 8579(01)00452-6. 5 Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press, 2003. 6 Wiles, Briana. Mountain States Medicinal Plants: Identify, Harvest, and Use 100 Wild Herbs for Health and Wellness. 2018.

28 7 Romm, Aviva. Botanical Medicine for Women's Health E-Book. London: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2017. 8 "Catnip." Flower Essences of Fox Mountain. Accessed May 5, 2018. http://www.foxmountain.net/catnip/.Hoffman, D. Medical Herbalism. 2003. Healing Arts Press. Rochester, VT 9 "Herbal Smoking Mixtures - Susun Weed, Herbal Medicine, Women's Health, Articles." Susun Weed - Herbal Medicine: Advice, Articles, Books, Workshops, Intensives, Apprenticeship, Correspondence Courses. Accessed May 5, 2018. http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Herbal_Smoking_Mixes.html. 10 "Natural Fever Treatments for Kids From a Mommy-MD." Aviva Romm MD. Last modified January 30, 2018. https://avivaromm.com/natural- fever-treatments/.

Nervine

1 M. Rabbani, S. E. Sajjadi, and A. Mohammadi. "Evaluation of the Anxiolytic Effect of Nepeta persica Boiss. in Mice.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 5, no. 2 (2008), 181-186.

29 A Glossary of Herbalism Nina Katz Do you feel befuddled by all of those terms? Are you curious about what a menstruum might be, or a nervine? Wondering what the exact difference is between an infusion and a decoction? Or what it means to macerate? Read on; the herbalist lexicographer will reveal it all!

Adaptogen n. An herb that enhances one's ability to thrive despite stress. Eleuthero, or Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a well-known adaptogen.

Aerial parts n. pl. The parts of a plant that grow above ground. Stems, leaves, and flowers are all aerial parts, in contrast to roots and rhizomes. Alterative n. An herb that restores the body to health gradually and sustainably by strengthening one or more of the body's systems, such as the digestive or lymphatic system, or one or more of the vital organs, such as the liver or kidneys. Burdock (Arctium lappa) is an alternative. adj. Restoring health gradually, as by strengthening one or more of the body's systems or vital organs.

Anthelmintic n. A substance that eliminates intestinal worms. Anthelmin adj. Being of or concerning a substance that eliminates intestinal worms.

30 Anti-catarrhal n. A substance that reduces or slows down the production of phlegm. adj. Being of or concerning a substance that reduces or slows down the production of phlegm.

Anti-emetic n. A substance that treats nausea. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is anti-emetic.

adj. Being of or concerning a substance that treats nausea.

Anti-microbial n. An herb or a preparation that helps the body fight off microbial infections, whether viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic. Herbal anti- microbials may do this by killing the microbes directly, but more often achieve this by enhancing immune function and helping the body to fight off disease and restore balance. adj. Being of or concerning an herb or a preparation that helps the body fight off microbial infections.

Aperient n. A gentle laxative, such as seaweed, plantain seeds (Plantago spp.), or ripe bananas. adj. Being of or concerning a gentle laxative.

Aphrodisiac n. A substance that enhances sexual interest or desire. adj. Being of or relating to a substance that enhances sexual interest or desire.

31 Astringent n. A food, herb, or preparation that causes tissues to constrict, or draw in. Astringents help stop bleeding, diarrhea, and other conditions in which some bodily substance is flowing excessively. Some astringents, such as Wild Plantain (Plantago major), draw so powerfully that they can remove splinters. adj Causing tissues to constrict, and thereby helping to stop excessive loss of body fluids.

Bitter n. A food, herb, or preparation that stimulates the liver and digestive organs through its bitter flavor. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Gentian (Gentiana lutea) are both bitters. Also called digestive bitter. Carminative n. A food, herb, or preparation that reduces the buildup or facilitates the release of intestinal gases. Cardamom (Amomum spp. and Elettaria spp) and Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) are carminatives. adj. Characterized as reducing the buildup or facilitating the release of intestinal gases.

Carrier Oil n. A non-medicinal oil, such as olive or sesame oil, used to dilute an essential oil. Catarrh n. An inflammation of the mucous membranes resulting in an overproduction of phlegm.

Compound v. To create a medicinal formula using two or more components. n. An herbal preparation consisting of two or more herbs.

32 Compress n. A topical preparation consisting of a cloth soaked in a liquid herbal extract, such as an infusion or decoction, and applied, usually warm or hot, to the body. A washcloth soaked in a hot ginger decoction and applied to a sore muscle is a compress.

Decoct v. To prepare by simmering in water, usually for at least 20 minutes. One usually decocts barks, roots, rhizomes, hard seeds, twigs, and nuts. Decoction n. An herbal preparation made by simmering the plant parts in water, usually for at least 20 minutes.

Demulcent n. An herb with a smooth, slippery texture soothing to the mucous membranes, i.e. the tissues lining the respiratory and digestive tracts. Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis), and sassafras (Sassafras albidum, Sassafras officinale) are all demulcents. adj. Having a smooth, slippery texture that soothes the mucous membranes. Diaphoretic n. An herb or preparation that opens the pores of the skin, facilitates sweat, and thereby lowers fevers. In Chinese medicine, diaphoretics are said to “release the exterior.”• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a diaphoretic. adj. Opening the pores, facilitating sweat, and thereby lowering fevers.

33 Digestive n. An herb, food, or preparation that promotes the healthy breakdown, assimilation, and elimination of food, as by gently stimulating the digestive tract in preparation for a meal. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and bitter salad greens are digestives. adj. 1 Concerning or being part of the bodily system responsible for the breakdown, assimilation, and elimination of food. adj. 2 Promoting the healthy breakdown, assimilation, and/or elimination of food. Diuretic n. A substance that facilitates or increases urination. Diuretics can improve kidney function and treat swelling. Excessive use of diuretics can also tax the kidneys. Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica), cucumbers, and coffee are all diuretics. adj. Facilitating or increasing urination.

Emmenagogue n. An herb or preparation that facilitates or increases menstrual flow. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is an emmenagogue. Emmenagogues are generally contraindicated in pregnancy. adj. Facilitating or increasing menstrual flow. Essential Oil n. An oil characterized by a strong aroma, strong taste, the presence of terpines, and by vaporizing in low temperatures. Essential oils are components of many plants, and when isolated, make fairly strong medicine used primarily externally or for inhalation, and usually not safe for internal use.

34 n. 1 A preparation made by chemically removing the soluble parts of a substance into a solvent or menstruum. Herbalists often make extracts using water, alcohol, glycerin, vinegar, oil, or combinations of these. Infusions, medicinal vinegars, tinctures, decoctions, and medicinal oils are all extracts. n. 2 A tincture. Extract v. To remove the soluble parts of a substance into a solvent or menstruum by chemical means. Febrifuge n. An herb or preparation that lowers fevers. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), ginger (Zingiber officinale), and boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) are all febrifuges. Galactagogue n. A substance that increases the production or flow of milk; a remedy that aids lactation. Nettle (Urtica dioica) and hops (Humulus lupulus) are galactagogues. Glandular n. A substance that treats the adrenal, thyroid, or other glands. Nettle seeds (Urtica dioica) are a glandular for the adrenals. adj. Relating to or treating the adrenal, thyroid, or other glands. Hepatic n. A substance that treats the liver. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a hepatic. Hypnotic n. An herb or preparation that induces sleep. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and valerian (Valeriana officinale) are both hypnotics. adj. Inducing sleep.

35 Infuse v. To prepare by steeping in water, especially hot water, straining, and squeezing the marc. Infusion n. A preparation made by first steeping one or more plants or plant parts in water, most often hot water, and then straining the plant material, usually while squeezing the marc. An infusion extracts the flavor, aroma, and water-soluble nutritional and medicinal constituents into the water.

Long Infusion n. An infusion that steeps for three or more hours. Long infusions often steep overnight. Lymphatic n. A substance that stimulates the circulation of lymph or tonifies the vessels or organs involved in the circulation or storage of lymph.

Macerate v. To soak a plant or plant parts in a menstruum so as to extract the medicinal constituents chemically. Marc n. The plant material left after straining a preparation made by steeping, simmering, or macerating.

Menstruum n. (Plural, menstrua or menstruums.) The solvent used to extract the medicinal and/or nutritional constituents from a plant. Water, alcohol, vinegar, and glycerin are among the more common menstrua. Mucilage n. A thick, slippery, demulcent substance produced by a plant or microorganism.

Mucilaginous n. Having or producing mucilage; demulcent. Okra, marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis), sassafras (Sassafras albidum, Sassafras officinale), and slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) are all mucilaginous. Nervine n. An herb or preparation that helps with problems traditionally associated with the nerves, such as mental health issues, insomnia, and pain. adj. Helping with problems traditionally associated with the nerves, such as mental health issues, insomnia, and pain. Pectoral n. A substance that treats the lungs or the respiratory system. Poultice n. A mass of plant material or other substances, usually mashed, gnashed, moistened, or heated, and placed directly on the skin. Sometimes covered by a cloth or adhesive. A plantain (Plantago spp.) poultice can draw splinters out. Rhizome n. A usually horizontal stem that grows underground, is marked by nodes from which roots grow down, and branches out to produce a network of new plants growing up from the nodes. Salve [sæv] A soothing ointment prepared from beeswax n. combined with oil, usually medicinal oil, and used in topical applications. Short Infusion n. An infusion that steeps for a relatively short period of time, usually 5-30 minutes.

37 Sedative n. A substance that calms and facilitates sleep. Valerian (Valeriana officinale) is a sedative.

Sedative adj. Calming and facilitating sleep.

Simple n. An herbal preparation, such as a tincture or decoction, made from one herb alone.

Simpler n. An herbalist who prepares and recommends primarily simples rather than compounds.

Spp. abbr. Species. Used to indicate more than one n.pl. species in the same botanical family. Echinacea spp. includes both Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolium, among other species. Plantago spp. includes both Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata. Stimulant n. An herb or preparation that increases the activity level in an organ or body system. Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) is an immunostimulant; it stimulates the immune system. Cayenne (Capsicum spp.) is a circulatory stimulant. Rosemary is a stimulant to the nervous, digestive, and circulatory systems. Sudorific adj. Increasing sweat or facilitating the release of sweat; cf. diaphoretic. Syrup n. A sweet liquid preparation, often made by adding honey or sugar to a decoction. Tea n. A drink made by steeping a plant or plant parts, especially Camellia sinensis.

38 Tisane n. An herbal beverage made by decoction or short infusion and not prepared from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Tincture n. A preparation made by macerating one or more plants or plant parts in a menstruum, usually alcohol or glycerin, straining, and squeezing the marc in order to extract the chemical constituents into the menstruum. v. To prepare by macerating in a menstruum, straining, and squeezing the marc in order to extract the chemical constituents. Tonic n. A substance that strengthens one or more organs or systems, or the entire organism. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a general tonic, as well as a specific kidney, liver, and hair tonic. Red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) is a reproductive tonic; Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a respiratory tonic. Tonify v. To strengthen. Nettle (Urtica dioica) tonifies the entire body. Volatile Oil n. An oil characterized by volatility, or rapid vaporization at relatively low temperatures; cf. essential oil. Vulnerary n. A substance that soothes and heals wounds. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is an excellent vulnerary. adj. Being or concerning a substance that soothes and heals wounds.

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