[Sca-cooks] period mention or use of catnip?

[Chris Stanifer]

--- Phlip <phlip at 99main.com> wrote:

> 
> Ene bichizh ogsen baina shuu...
> 
> > Had one kitty who was nuts over lavender (would seek it out, hunt it
> down), but ignored catnip....  Guess she was genetically confused.
> >
> > Samrah
> 
> Not necessarily. Some like it, some don't. Usually they aren't interested
> until they're about a year old, and I've noticed that more males than
> females go bonkers over catnip.

I just read a bit on Catnip on the internet, which seems to indicate that the chemical involved
might trigger the 'hunter instinct' in those cats which have inherited the 'catnip gene'. 
Apparently, it produces reactions in some cats which are very similar to those of a cat which has
just captured prey.  Chemically, it is supposed to be very similar to the main constituent in
Valerian, which is known to be either a mild sedative, or 'pick me up', depending upon genetic
makeup.

I find all of this fascinating, especially the implication that the catnip chemical
(nepetalactone) appears to be 100 times more powerful than DEET at repelling Cockroaches, and
completely harmless to humans and animals.

Of course, according to the same site, if you sprayed the stuff around your kitchen, you might be
overwhelmed by Aphids, which seem to be attracted to the stuff.

Oh, well.... I'd rather have an Aphid in my salad than a roach...

Oh, by the way.... the website I went to seems to indicate that there is evidence of catnip uses
throughout history, but does not give sources.  Here is the citation, both historical AND on
topic...

"Herbalists have used catnip for many centuries as a treatment for colic, headache, fever,
toothache, colds, and spasms. Catnip is an excellent sleep-inducing agent (as with valerian, in
certain individuals it acts as a stimulant). Both people and cats find catnip to be emetic in
large doses. It exhibits antibacterial properties and may be useful as an anti-atherosclerotic
agent. It is used as an adjunct in treated dysmenorrhea and is given in tincture form to aid
amenorrhea. 15th century English cooks would rub catnip leaves on meats before cooking and add it
to mixed green salads. Before Chinese tea became widely available, catnip tea was very popular. "



William de Grandfort

=====
Through teeth of sharks, the Autumn barks.....and Winter squarely bites me.


		
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