What are the health benefits of catnip leaves?

SKĐS - Cat's claw is a wild plant that is also widely cultivated in the northern mountainous regions of Vietnam. Besides its roots, which are used for medicinal purposes, the leaves of the cat's claw plant, if used correctly, can also become a valuable medicine with many health benefits.

1. Uses of catnip leaves

Content

• 1. Uses of catnip leaves
• 2. Some ways to use catnip leaves for good health.
• 3. Notes on using catnip leaves

Indigo is a medicinal herb documented in many traditional Chinese medicine texts under various names such as ma lam, son lam, nam ban lam can, dai thanh, etc. The leaves of the indigo plant are an ingredient in the preparation of the medicine thanh dai. These leaves have a bitter taste, a cold nature, and act on the heart, stomach, liver, and lung meridians. They have the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling the blood and eliminating rashes, and are often used in the treatment of the following conditions:

• Heat rash occurs during the stage when heat enters the blood, causing high fever, delirium, and the appearance of red or purple rashes on the skin; blood heat causes delirium, high fever leading to psychosis.
• Respiratory tract infections and throat infections, acute pharyngitis, purulent tonsillitis, mumps.
• It treats boils, abscesses, and skin infections, as well as snake, centipede, and insect bites.

Indigo leaves have many health benefits.

According to modern research, the leaves of the indigo plant are a treasure trove of potent medicinal compounds and a rich system of nutrients, including alkaloids – the most important component being indigo, which accounts for a high proportion and creates the characteristic blue color – along with indirubin, tryptanthrin, and isatin.

In addition, the leaves of the indigo plant contain phenols and flavonoids, which are natural antioxidants that help protect cells; terpenoids, steroids, and iridoid glycosides. Furthermore, fresh indigo leaves contain significant amounts of vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin A, B vitamins (B1, B2), and many essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and manganese.

The indigo plant has also been shown to have many modern uses:

• Antiviral effect.
• It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
• It has antibacterial effects, fighting against many drug-resistant strains.
• It has liver-protective and immune-regulating effects.

In particular, recent studies have shown that indirubin, an active ingredient extracted from catnip, inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and prevents the division of cancer cells. It is especially effective in treating chronic myeloid leukemia, lung cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer, with fewer bone marrow suppressive side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy drugs.

2. Some ways to use catnip leaves for good health.

2.1 Detoxifying and cooling herbal tea

• 

This is the most common method used to prevent infectious diseases and cool the body when it is invaded by heat toxins.

Instructions: Use 10g of dried catnip leaves, steep in boiling water or simmer gently for 15 minutes.

Uses: Treats high fever, headaches caused by weather changes, sore throat, and tonsillitis. Particularly effective during flu season or when the body shows signs of swelling and pain in the throat.

2.2 Topical medications for skin diseases and swelling

Instructions: Take a handful of fresh catnip leaves, wash them thoroughly with diluted salt water, crush them with a little coarse salt, and apply directly to the affected area.

Uses: Fresh catnip leaves contain a high concentration of antibacterial agents, which are very effective when applied directly. They are beneficial in treating mumps, boils, carbuncles, insect bites, snake bites, fungal skin infections, and scalp fungus.

2.3 Mouthwash for treating gingivitis and bleeding gums

Instructions: Take 20g of dried catnip leaves (or 50g of fresh leaves), boil them with 500ml of water, and reduce the liquid to about 200ml; use this liquid to rinse your mouth 3-4 times a day, holding it in your mouth for a long time before spitting it out.

Uses: Reduces gum swelling, stops bleeding gums, and eliminates bad breath caused by internal heat.

2.4 Treating prickly heat and impetigo in children

Making:

• Use a large handful each of catnip leaves and Sài đất leaves.
• Boil the leaves in water, let it cool slightly (to a comfortable warm temperature), then bathe the child with it.
• No need to wash again with soap.

Uses: Cools the skin, kills bacteria, helps rashes disappear quickly without leaving scars. In summer, when children suffer from rashes due to excess heat in the blood, bathing them with water boiled from catnip leaves is a gentle and effective method.

Boiling catnip leaves with Sài đất (a type of herb) and using the resulting liquid to bathe children can help treat heat rash in the summer.

3. Notes on using catnip leaves

• People with sensitive stomachs, who frequently experience bloating, diarrhea, or stomach pain after eating cold foods, should absolutely not consume indigo leaves orally.
• Not suitable for those without actual heat in the body, those who are weak, have a pale complexion, or are afraid of cold.
• Use caution when using indigo leaves for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Do not drink tea or other beverages made from catnip leaves as a complete replacement for plain water; do not consume excessive amounts, or use them too frequently or for extended periods.
• When using fresh catnip leaves topically, if you notice skin irritation, redness, or a rash, stop immediately and rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/la-cham-meo-co-tac-dung-gi-voi-suc-khoe-169260525160257208.htm