Catnip tea?

Question

Have any of you mothers used catnip tea for a baby? I have a 13 month old, who has some health problems and someone told me to try catnip tea. Wouldn't chamomile tea be safer? I don't want to give him any seditives, so I haven't asked the doc for anything like that yet. He sleeps one night a week, and then won't even take naps anymore

Answer 1

I have been a Mother for 36 years now and I would suggest that you NOT give your baby this tea. Tea has caffeine in it or at least most teas do. I am thinking that NO tea would be good for a baby whether it has caffeine or not. My suggestion hun is this; please, please call the Dr. there has to be something wrong with your baby if he does not sleep. How is your child eating? Do you give your baby water to drink from time to time? Some babies outgrow their morning and afternoon naps at 13 months old. They prefer to go all day long till it is time for bed. Give your baby a jasmine bath........Johnson & Johnson makes this product. It is aromatherapy and that will sooth your baby while your are bathing it. Use "white noise" in your babys room such as a fan running or buy those rain, wind, chimes, bird, noise products that you can get at a pharmacy. Usually when you put a baby down to sleep and there is "white noise" in its room it will settle down and go to sleep. I wish you alot of luck.

Answer 2

Catnip is an invaluable remedy for respiratory infections - taken as a hot tea it increases perspiration and effectively brings down fevers, and acts as a decongestant. Catnip should be taken frequently at the first signs of colds or flu, and is also helpful in bronchitis and asthma, as well as eruptive infections such as chicken-pox and measles. Catnip is a wonderful remedy for babies and children; being calming and relaxing it will relieve restlessness and induce sleep. Its relaxant effect is also felt in the digestive tract where it relieves tension and colic, wind and pain - excellent for babies who have wind or colic or trouble sleeping. A strong infusion will relax headaches related to tension. Catnip can be used for other digestive problems - stomach upset, indigestion, and stress related conditions; the tannins make it a good remedy for diarrhea, particularly in children. As an enema it is prescribed for inflammatory bowel conditions, bowel infections, constipation and diarrhea. Catnip's relaxant effects are also felt in the uterus. It can be used to relieve period pains as well as tension or stress prior to a period. It can also be used to regulate periods, and for delayed or suppressed menstruation. A hot infusion makes a good antiseptic inhalant for sore throats, colds, flu and coughs, a decongestant for catarrh and sinusitis, and a relaxant for asthma and croup. Its disinfectant properties can be used for infected skin problems. The tannins speed tissue repair and staunch bleeding of abrasions and cuts; they aid healing of burns and scalds, piles and insect bites, and inflammatory skin problems.


Are there any side effects or interactions?

No common side effects have been associated with the use of catnip. Since catnip (particularly the volatile oil) may act to promote uterine contractions, it should not be used during pregnancy.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with catnip.