CATNIP OR CAT MINT: HOW TO USE CATNIP FOR HEALTH: CATNIP TISANE

CAT MINT, CATNIP, NEPETA CATARIA

Cat nip or catnep or cat mint is a member of the mint family as its name suggests, and there are more than 200 varieties growing around the world. Nepeta cataria grows wild in Britain in fields and hedgerows and wherever it can get a hold. Other Nepeta varieties grow in the Indian subcontinent in temperate and tropical zones; are common in North America, where catnip is not thought to be an indigenous plant, and throughout Europe.

   You may have thought that its purpose on the planet was to keep cats happy, but as it turns out you would be wrong in assuming this.

 To our non-feline sense of smell it is a bit like mint or perhaps like pennyroyal, but the essential oil it produces is very attractive to moggies. The main constituent of this oil is nepetalactone which is an effective mosquito and cockroach repellent. It is also an effective antimicrobial and works against fungi and bacteria. Rats are said not to go anywhere near catnip, although this might be because of the frequent feline visitors to it, but it acts as a good deterrent to these rodents, whatever the case. Cats are attracted to plants whose leaves have been bruised and exhibit signs of sexual excitement when they get a whiff of it. They rub against the plant then roll around on it so destroying the plant in the process. If you have an old pet cat or an obese one, don’t plant catnip in your garden. The stimulation might be too much for it.

   There is an interesting old rhyme; -

      “If you set it, the cats will eat it,

       If you sow it, the cats don’t know it.”

Catnip Seeds

This has been observed to be true. If you transplant catnip, cats will soon destroy it, but if you plant it from seeds they don’t seem to bother with it. This might be because the smell of a transplanted catnip plant will exude because of bruising caused to the plant and leaves in the transportation of it.

    Before the introduction of tea to the British Isles, people used to make catnip tea, and this was used for a variety of purposes. For one thing it is hallucinogenic (mildly) and has been smoked with tobacco or alone as a substitute for marijuana. These days as cannabis is more easily attainable, it has fallen into disuse as a drug of this kind, but it does produce a state of calmness apparently, and has been used as a “cigarette” for respiratory ailments, including asthma.

   Catnip leaves may be chewed to relieve toothache, and if you chew the roots you may become quarrelsome and fierce. There is an old tale about a hangman who was a very mild person and who had to chew the root to get up his courage to hang someone.

    It has been used to relieve hysterics and insanity in the past and Sydenham (1624-1689) wrote that its effects were probably because of its “strong and noisome smell, to recall the exorbitant and deserting Spirits to their proper Stations.”

Culpeper wrote that “the juice drunk in wine is good for bruises” and the fresh juice can be used as an emmenogogue and for stomach pains. Culpeper also wrote that “the green leaves bruised and made into and ointment is effectual for piles” and “the head washed in a decoction taketh away scabs, scurf etc.”

    The flowering tops of the plant have traditionally been used in medicine, and they have a refrigerant or cooling effect on the body, as well as being useful as a mild emmenogogue especially used for stomach cramps. It induces sweating so is a diaphoretic, and is mildly stimulating to humans. It has been used to cure sleeplessness, restlessness, colic, headaches and the young tops are good to stop nightmares. The tea or tisane helps with flatulence problems and to produce sweat during fevers.

  If you use equal parts of saffron and catnip tisane it is allegedly good for smallpox, scarlet fever, colds and hysterics. The plant has also been used traditionally to relieve yellow fever and jaundice.

   Catnip can also be found in toys for pet cats, and the powdered roots, seeds and dried or fresh leaves are good in tisanes, to help in the cases of the illnesses mentioned above. You can add catnip leaves to soups, stews and sauces for their flavour.

   There is a story about a restaurateur in the Loire valley (France) who was keen to get a highly coveted Michelin star when the Michelin man visited the region. A friend gave him a tip off to say which day the man would come and he prepared a dish especially for him. One man went to the restaurant and the owner assumed this was the person who recommended restaurants for the Michelin Guide. Unfortunately most things that could go wrong did and the man walked out of the restaurant in high dudgeon. The owner, who was also the chef, yelled at his wife and kicked his heavily pregnant cat, which ran off. Later when he had calmed down he apologized to his wife, but couldn’t find the pet cat. Determined to make amends, he cooked a chicken dish for the cat to entice it back and laced it liberally with catnip. Off he went with some of this dish, leaving the rest in his kitchen. When he got back there was the actual man from Michelin who was enthusing about the chicken dish. He said that he would give the restaurant two stars on the quality of the dish alone, but three if the man would tell him his secret ingredient. The man declined to do so, as he didn’t want the Michelin man to know it had been cooked with a feline in mind, and might withdraw the offer of the stars. The man was delighted and awarded the restaurant three stars because good chefs never reveal their culinary secrets. Now the man had to decide what to call the dish and as he was pondering the cat came back carrying a kitten in its mouth. The cat went away again and came back eventually with twelve more kittens. So the dish was called “Chicken Surprise Thirteen Kittens”.

  I don’t know if this is true or not, but it’s a good urban legend and apropos to this post.

CATNIP TISANE

Ingredients 

1 oz fresh leaves or flowering tops

1 pint boiling water

Method

Pour the boiling water on the catnip and leave to steep, covered, for 15 minutes. You can drink it like a tea, but this might have sedative effects or hallucinatory ones (visual and or auditory) depending on its strength.

For medicinal purposes adults should have a tbsp dose three times a day for headaches, to induce sweating during colds or fevers etc. Children with colic can have 2 tsps.

This has Taste and is a Treat(ment).

WHAT IS GUGGUL? INDIAN BDELLIUM OR FALSE MYRRH: HEALTH BENEFITS OF GUGGUL AND USES

GUGGUL, INDIAN BDELLIUM, COMMIPHORA MUKAL

Guggul in Urdu, Indian Bdellium of false myrrh in English, and is known by several botanical names, Commiphora mukul and wightii, or Balsamodendron mukul. It is related to myrrh and is sometimes added to it to adulterate it. Interestingly, bdellium is the only word in the English language to begin with ‘bd’. Guggul is a tree or shrub with thorns on its branches, which is native to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Africa, although different genuses grow there. It has an ash-coloured bark which flakes off to reveal an under bark which also peels off in thin paper-like rolls.

   Pliny, in his “Natural History” describes guggul in this way: -

    “Adjoining India in the Bactrian country, in trees of which is produced the highly esteemed bdellium. The tree is black in colour and the size of the olive (tree), its leaf resembles that of the oak and its fruit that of the wild fig… It ought to be transparent like wax, to have a scent, to exude grease when crumbled and to have a bitter taste, though without acidity. When used in religious ceremonies it is steeped in wine, which makes its scent more powerful. This tree is native to Arabia and India, but also to Media and Babylon…Almonds are used to trade adulterated Indian bdellium”

  You have to remember that Pliny never actually saw a tree such as he describes here, but had to rely on descriptions of travellers and traders.

   In the Middle Ages Indian Bdellium reached Europe with the Radanite traders, the “wandering Jew” described by Shakespeare and Marlowe. Without these traders, who took long routes to sell their spices, incense and other wares, Europe would have been cut off from the rest of the world, as it had been in the Dark Ages. The commodities which entered Europe were often brought only by these traders. This changed during the Renaissance as Europe redeveloped and reestablished links with the Arabs, albeit that this was through their conquering of parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

    The tree is tapped so that it exudes an oleo resin which has been found to help, in laboratory in vivo trials, to protect against atherosclerosis. It has anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties and can help lower cholesterol levels.

     Guggul has been used in traditional medicine for centuries in the Indian subcontinent and the Arab world, and is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It has astringent, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and aids the digestive processes as well as stimulating the appetite. It is a diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic and emmenogogue, and is used in lotions for skin problems such as acne and as a gargle for chronic sore throats, including pharyngitis, and chronic tonsillitis as well as for ulcerated throats. Because it is an emmenogogue and useful in the absence of, or to control irregular, menstruation, pregnant women should avoid it as a medicine.

     Its extract has been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries and it can help with erectile dysfunctions and increase the sperm count and the quality of sperm, so helping infertile men.

   Indian bdellium is moister than myrrh and comes in irregular dark brown masses which soften in the heat of the hand. If you chew a piece it will stick to your teeth and it smells a little like myrrh. The wax-like pellets resemble pearls and were carried by ancient Egyptian women as perfume.

Guggul powder

   The United States Food and Drug Administration have classified it as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) and today it is viewed as a possible health booster. It is also believed that it boosts the action of sluggish thyroid glands, but trials are still ongoing.

    You can buy it in capsule form, as there are guggulsterones supplements on the market which claim to lower the levels of unhealthy cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) which builds up in the arteries and may lead to heart problems. It is thought that these guggulsterones may also reduce levels of triglycerides (a type of fat which accumulates in the blood and causes cardio-vascular diseases.

WHY WE NEED MINERALS IN OUR DIETS: WHAT THEY ARE AND FOODS THEY ARE IN

MINERALS WE NEED IN OUR DIETS

Electrolytes are salts and minerals that can conduct electrical impulses in the body. They control the fluid balance in the body and are important in muscle contraction, the generation of energy, so preventing fatigue, and almost all major biochemical reactions in the body. These include sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, sulphate and others.

   Free radicals are compounds that have an unpaired electron which makes them extremely reactive and are linked to the causes of cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. They damage the cells and cause oxidation damage. They are also associated with the aging process and can age the skin, for example. The foods we eat can combat free radicals, and so help fight the ageing process by helping to make the skin smoother, preventing the wrinkles we get as we get older and rejuvenating the skin. Antioxidants protect us from the ravages of free radicals. These are substances which have the ability to convert free radicals into more stable substances, limiting the damage they do. So we need foods which have antioxidant properties such as kiora water, morels, leeks, chilgoza etc.

   Astringent properties: - if a foodstuff has astringent properties and is used for these in traditional or natural medicine, it causes contraction of the tissues and can control bleeding, so stopping the flow of blood from wounds; myrrh has astringent properties as well as antiseptic ones, for example.

  Calcium: - this is essential for healthy bones, teeth, nails and the normal functioning of the heart, nerves and muscles. It is found in dairy products, green vegetables such as broccoli, and in almonds, sesame seeds etc. It helps to prevent osteoporosis and perhaps colon cancer and is used to treat PMT/PMS, colon polyps, and may help to lower blood pressure.

   Magnesium: - this is essential in our diets and is required for enzyme activity in the body. It is important for neurochemical transmissions and muscular excitability. It is found in nuts, seeds, grains and greens. It is used in medicine to help reduce hearing loss which was produced because of noise; heart disease, painful menstruation, symptoms of PMT/PMS, migraines and high blood pressure. It is important for healthy bones and tooth formation; lack of it may affect the heart adversely and skeletal muscle.

    Manganese: - This is found in grains, nuts and is used to treat painful menstruation and osteoporosis as well as to alleviate deficiencies associated with seizures and diabetes.

    Phosphate: - is an organic compound which is extremely important for healthy cells, the storing and use of energy and it is a transmitter of genetic information within cells as well as from one cell to another. It is continually being excreted through faeces and urine so needs to be replaced.

    Phosphorous: - is found in bones and teeth and is essential for the health of the cell membranes. It helps convert food into energy and is found in nuts such as pistachios, and walnuts, legumes, cereals, grains and dairy products.

     Potassium: - this mineral is found in whole grains, meat, legumes, and some fruit and vegetables, such as ash gourd, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds and figs. It is important for the normal functioning of the nerves and muscles, kidneys and heart. It acts as an electrolyte and functions in nerve signal transmissions, muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation and maintenance of the body’s pH balance. Lack of it may result in moodiness, diarrhoea, nausea and weakness.

    Selenium: - a trace mineral with antioxidant properties in its selenoproteins which help to prevent cell damage from free radicals. It helps to regulate the functions of the thyroid gland and plays a role in the healthy function of the immune system. It is found in nuts, meat, bread, mushrooms and salmon. It is thought to help women during and after the menopause.

      Zinc: - a mineral found in eggs, meat, nuts, seeds, whole grains and brewer’s yeast. It is used medically to prevent infection and treat upper body respiratory problems. It can also help treat oral herpes, acne, anorexia nervosa, macular degeneration (weak eyesight and cataracts) male infertility and erectile dysfunctions and sickle cell anaemia. It is toxic if taken in high doses.

WHAT IS ANJEER FRUIT? FIGS ( FICUS CARICA): HEALTH BENEFITS OF FIGS USES AND HISTORY: FIGS RECIPE

FIGS, ANJEER (FICUS CARICA)

Figs (anjeer in Arabic and Urdu) are related to the banyan tree (Ficus bengalhensis) and are in the mulberry family, although they are not closely related. There is also a wild variety of fig which grows in Pakistan's Punjab province and is called the Punjab fig. We have one on our roof thanks to a small bird we once rescued. The fig is believed to be indigenous to western Asia, (Iran, Syria and Turkey) and was taken by early humans to the Mediterranean areas where they flourished. The Greeks got their figs from Caria in what was then Asia Minor, and improved them until they were considered the best in the ancient world. Greek figs were so renowned in the ancient world that there was a law which forbade the export of the best figs. Greek athletes had a diet full of figs and so did slaves in ancient times, as they provide us with energy.

   Pliny writes that he knew of 29 varieties of fig, now there are approximately 800 varieties. He praised those that came from Herculanaeum, Tarant and Caria and archaeologists found dried figs in Pompeii and wall-paintings with them in, along with other types of fruit. The fig was dedicated to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine (Greek equivalent Dionysus) and used in religious ceremonies. It was believed by the Romans that Saturn discovered the fruit, although the Greeks had other myths about its origins.

The Roman writer Ovid tells us that gifts of figs were traditionally given on the first day of the new year, and the legend has it that the wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, rested under a fig tree.

Black fig

    In Greek mythology, the fig was associated with the satyr Priapus (the figure portrayed on modern Greek postcards with a huge erection and half goat and half man), who symbolized sexual desire. Another myth says that one of the eight Hamadryads, Syke, the daughter of the forest spirit Oxylos, was the nymph of the fig tree. These nymphs lived on Mount Oita in Phthiotos according to myth. Another myth says that Sykeus, one of the Titans who went to war with the gods had to flee the wrath of Zeus, father of the gods, and was changed into a fig tree by his mother Gaia (the Earth) and so hidden from Zeus.

   Figs are mentioned in many places in the Bible and the Qu’ran, and in the bible Adam was said to have hid his nakedness with a fig leaf.

    Fresh figs may be black or green, but the black ones taste better, although they may be difficult to find.

Dried figs

    Figs are reputed to be aphrodisiacs and have a high potassium content as well as containing the vitamins A and C, and some of the B-complex ones including  niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, as well as having calcium, iron, phosphorous, manganese, sodium and chlorine plus traces of selenium. They also have Omega-6 oil and the highest fibre content of any fruit. This means that they are a mild laxative, and good to help prevent colon cancer and piles, and can help with weight loss. They may also help prevent post-menopausal breast cancer. They are also to control blood sugar levels as they are high in potassium, so are good for diabetics. The low sodium content and high potassium levels present in the fruit means that they are good at preventing hypertension, and they help halt macular degeneration, so are good for the eyes. They also heal and protect sore throats as they have a high mucilage content. They can aid digestion and are good if you have a fever, and help relieve respiratory problems such as whooping cough and asthma. Syrup of figs is taken as a laxative and some cough medicines are made from them. The best dried figs these days are reputedly the Elemi ones from Turkey, but this is a matter of taste. In traditional medicine in the Indian subcontinent, they are used to treat STDs, liver complaints as well as earache, boils and abscesses. The milky sap from the leaf stalks is used to remove warts. They are rich in antioxidants which combat the free radicals in the body which damage cells and may cause cancer.

     The fruit of the fig is made up of hundreds of flowers which grow inside the skin of the fruit. They are pollinated by a wasp with which the fruit has a symbiotic relationship. The seeds are all from the flowers, each of which contains only one seed, so the fig is a very unusual fruit.

CHICKEN WITH FIGS AND PORT

Ingredients

3½ lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 tsp coriander seeds, dry fried and then ground

1 tsp cumin seeds, dry fried and ground

½ tsp cayenne pepper

10 garlic cloves sliced

2 onions, sliced

2 bay leaves, torn

12-15 fresh figs, washed and halved

1 cup ruby port

1 lemon or 3 Indian/Pakistani lemons, juice and grated zest

½ cup fresh parsley or coriander, shredded

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Rub spices into the chicken pieces then place in a roasting pan. Put the sliced onions, garlic, figs and bay leaves on top. Cover with a lid or foil and bake for 50 mins.

Remove from the oven and stir in the lemon juice and zest. Put bake in the oven without covering and bake for a further 10-15 mins until the chicken is really tender.

Remove from the oven sprinkle with parsley or fresh coriander leaves and serve on a bed of rice.

This has Taste and is a Treat.