Catnip Cold Care Tea

If you are growing alongside me for the winter herb grow-along, your first medicinal herb, catnip, is likely ready to harvest. 

Harvesting catnip is easy. If you are growing catnip indoors in your greenhouse or on a south-facing window ledge in your home, simply snip long stalks of the herb at the base of the plant. (Don't worry, your plant will begin working to replace what you cut quickly.) To dry the herb, tie the stems at the base and hang them upside down in a dry, dark place. Check on them in a few weeks to see if the leaves are dry and brittle and ready to break off the stem and store in a sealed jar.  The leaves should snap right off and easily break into pieces when they are ready. 

Catnip can also be used fresh in salads and teas. It has a strong aromatic fragrance (a combination of camphor, thyme and mint) and mild minty flavor. It is most commonly used in teas as a relaxing agent to promote sleep, treat anxiety and headaches, and for its anti-catarrhal property helping to ease congestion. It has also been used to help ease premenstrual cramps. 

Catnip Cold Care Tea

You Will Need

1 part catnip (fresh or dried)
1 part peppermint (fresh or dried)
1 part yarrow leaf (fresh or dried)
1 tspn honey (or to taste)
1 cinnamon stick to stir 

This catnip tea recipe is an immune boosting blend with calming properties that should be taken at night to promote a restful night's sleep. It is inspired by herbal tea blends published in The Herbal Academy's and the Forest Tea blend by @TheOliveTreesAndTheMoon. 

WARNING: Catnip may cause drowsiness and should never be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.