So you want to smoke catnip, huh? You crazy, crazy bastard… Smoking catnip certainly isn’t something your everyday, average Joe Schmoe ever really thinks about ever doing, you’re at least to be commended on your efforts to research this topic first before sparking up that sweet, sweet meowijuana. So, consider this a formal commendation. Well done! So, what exactly happens when one smokes catnip? Is it dangerous? Is the smoke dangerous if inhaled by your (hopefully) smoking buddy Tinkles the cat? Most importantly of all, does it give you any kind of high whatsoever? Worry not, my groovy, creative, young sir or madam, because we’re here to help you learn all this and then some because, well… that’s just what we do around here. We try to help people and… stuff. Regardless, you’ve come to the right place. So let’s jump into the lesson, shall we? The Basics Catnip (also known via its scientific name, Nepeta cataria) surprisingly enough belongs in the mint family. While originally native to Europe, it spread to other continents after sea voyage and trade became more common back around the 1500’s. Now known pretty much universally as catnip (although we much prefer our new invented name of meowijuana), it was also known as catswort and fieldbalm back in the day. Health/Medicinal Benefits Believe it or not, catnip also has a slew of various medical benefits and has long been used in China (because… of course it was) for treating a variety of different health problems. In addition to helping aid healthy digestion, catnip can also act as a sedative, menstruation promoter, tranquilizer, and even as a cure for infant colic. It can additionally be ingested in tea form to reap its many benefits. Catnip tea itself has long been used many European countries as a remedy for the common cold, chest congestion and to even help loosen up relaxed muscles. Chewing the leaves of the plant has also been known to help relieve toothaches, offering a surprisingly pleasant and aromatic flavor – arguably the exact opposite of what you’d think catnip would actually taste like. Although thought of as a beneficial side effect when used for the treatment of fever, smoking the plant promotes mild to moderate sweating, which is obviously a negative side effect (unless you’re an absolute goof who actually enjoys getting all soaked, gross and sweaty). Lastly, as all of this weren’t enough already, smoking catnip can and has been used to treat both asthma and bronchitis. Like most medicinal herbs and plants, the overall effect of administering catnip on humans can vary greatly depending on the method of consumption. In addition to smoking it, chewing it and making tea with...
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