
Did you know that catnip isn’t just for our feline friends? It turns out this herb has some surprising benefits for our goats too! Let’s explore the wonders of Catnip Leaf and how it can support your goat’s health.
Discovering Catnip Leaf
Catnip isn’t just a fun treat for cats—it’s a member of the mint family with a range of medicinal properties.
Benefits for Goats
- Digestive Support: Catnip can help soothe upset stomachs and promote healthy digestion in goats, making it a valuable addition to their diet.
- Calming Effects: Catnip can have a calming effect on goats, helping to reduce stress and anxiety, particularly during times of change or transition.
- Vitamin B Boost: Catnip is a natural source of vitamin B, providing goats with an extra dose of this essential nutrient to support overall health and vitality.
- Respiratory Health: Catnip is used my respiratory protocol for its specific benefit to the respiratory system in colds, pneumonia or other illnesses.
Goat Dosage Recommendations
- Dried Leaf: Blend into a respiratory mix such as mullein and nettle or offer plain dried catnip separately from other feeds to allow your goats to self select.
Fun Fact
- Goatnip?: While not as potent as catnip for cats, some goats may still enjoy the effects of catnip, especially younger ones.
Catnip Can be Wild Foraged
Being a member of the mint family, catnip grows abundantly in the wild. You can probably find a patch near you. It’s identified easily by its specific scent and velvety soft leaves. If you do harvest, do so before it flowers and you can get several clippings of the top few inches.
Where to Buy
You can purchase high quality organic catnip leaf powder for goats in my shop here.
Catnip Research Summary Provided by Consensus
The research topic focuses on the medicinal uses of catnip leaf, scientifically known as Nepeta cataria. Catnip is traditionally recognized for its behavioral effects on cats and has been used in various forms, including teas and extracts, for its potential therapeutic properties in humans.
Key Insights:
- Catnip tea, created by steeping Nepeta cataria in hot water, serves as a herbal remedy for a range of ailments, although comprehensive statistical data on its usage remains scarce.
- The psychopharmacological properties of catnip, akin to those of marijuana, have been noted in human users, highlighting its potential psychedelic effects.
- Traditionally, catnip is utilized to alleviate symptoms of colds and flu and is often incorporated as a flavoring agent in culinary dishes. Its leaves contain beneficial compounds, including iridoids, tannins, and etheric oils.
- Research indicates that Nepeta cataria exhibits antidepressant effects in mice, with its apolar extract significantly reducing immobility in behavioral tests.
- The aromatic qualities of catnip can be attributed to volatile compounds such as geranyl acetate and citronellol, which may enhance its sensory and medicinal properties.
- Catnip has a long history of ethnobotanical use for treating fevers, diarrhea, insomnia, and menstrual discomfort. Its glandular hairs (trichomes) store secondary plant metabolites, contributing to its therapeutic effects.
- The presence of nepetalactone in catnip suggests an adaptive role in protecting the plant from herbivorous insects, indicating potential insect-repellent properties.
- Japanese catnip (Schizonepeta tenuifolia), utilized in traditional Asian medicine, contains glandular trichomes that produce terpenoids with notable biological activities.
- Behavioral studies on mice reveal that catnip influences locomotion, stereotyped behavior, and seizure susceptibility, suggesting amphetamine-like effects and the possibility of tolerance with prolonged use.
Conclusion:
Catnip leaf has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties, with applications ranging from treating colds and flu to potentially having antidepressant effects. The plant’s psychopharmacological effects in humans and its influence on behavior in mice have been noted, as well as its use in flavoring foods. The presence of various compounds, including iridoids, tannins, etheric oils, and terpenoids, contribute to its medicinal and aromatic qualities. Additionally, catnip’s potential as an insect repellent has been suggested. While the exact mechanisms and efficacy of catnip’s medicinal uses require further research, the existing studies highlight its diverse applications and the importance of its secondary metabolites stored in glandular trichomes.