Highlights:

• Catnip: not just for your kitty!
• Sweet Dreams Spray
• Flower Essence Blending Bar at Meadowsweet Herbs
• Winter Herb Classes
• Meadowsweet Herbs' Holistic Healing Center New Year's Resolution Specials

<< Previous | Next Newsletter >>

Catnip

Catnip grows up to four feet high. It is native to the dry temperate regions of the Mediterranean, inland Europe, Asia, and Africa, but has become naturalized worldwide. The stem is square as are all species in the labiatae (mint) family. The leaves are heart-shaped with toothed edges. They are fuzzy and greenish gray in color. The small flowers are white with purple spots and appear in tight terminal spikes.

Catnip is a perennial herb that is easily propagated from seed or root divisions. The seeds can be sown in the spring or fall and spaced 18-24" apart. Root divisions should be done in the spring. Catnip thrives in most habitats ranging from rich moist soil to poor dry soil. A dry environment will bring out more of its aromatic properties. It is drought tolerant and likes full sun although partial shade is fine.

To harvest catnip, pick the leaves, flowers and smaller stems into blooming. It can be used dried or fresh. Catnip is largely water soluble and so makes a nice tea. Add 2 teaspoons herb per 1 cup boiling water and drink up to three cups a day. The tincture can be taken in a dose of 30-40 drops up to three times a day.

Catnip is an excellent spicy green for salads and pesto. While being a feline euphoric, catnip has an opposite calming effect on humans. It is a gentle nervine and can be used successfully for childhood conditions such as sleeplessness, nightmares, teething and colic. It reduces nervous tension and headaches while invoking a state of calmness. As a diaphoretic, catnip encourages sweating to reduce fever and eliminate toxins through the skin. For this reason it is excellent for colds, flu and bronchial infections.

Catnip is a great stomach sedative. It is useful as a digestive aid for indigestion, stomachache, flatulence, diarrhea, and hiccups due to its carminative, astringent, and anti-spasmodic properties. Taken before meals it stimulates the appetite, while taken after meals it stimulates digestion. Use catnip with chamomile and peppermint for indigestion. As an herb for women, it is useful in starting a delayed menses and reducing menstrual cramps. Avoid catnip during pregnancy or during periods of excessive menses.

Sweet Dreams Spray

Having trouble getting the sleep you need? Mix the following formula in a 2 oz spray bottle:

• 1 2/3 ounce water
• 1/3 ounce brandy (to preserve your mixture)
• 4 drops Hornbeam Flower Essence
• 4 drops White Chestnut Flower Essence
• 4 drops Oak Flower Essence
• 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 5 drops Clary Sage Essential Oil
• 3 drops Nutmeg Essential Oil

Shake well. Spray on face, wrists, and pillow, or add a few sprays to your evening bath. Sweet dreams!

Winter Classes

Natural Family Planning Method: Natural Birth Control Class

Learn how to avoid pregnancy naturally, or achieve it! The Fertility Awareness Method uses a woman's natural fertility signs such as cervical fluid and basal body temperature to accurately determine when she can and cannot become pregnant. Both men and women are welcome and encouraged to come. It's about time we all knew about a safe and highly effective birth control method that really works! Class taught by herbalist Elaine Sheff. Elaine is a certified instructor of Natural Family Planning and Fertility Awareness Methods. Class includes two information packets and charts.

Advantages of Natural Family Planning:

• Highly effective with a 99.3% effectiveness rate when used correctly.
• Can be used throughout all phases of a woman's reproductive life including breast feeding, perimenopause, or with irregular cycles.
• Totally safe with no side effects.
• Reliable: based on sound scientific knowledge and research.
• Inexpensive to use.

Learn how to avoid or achieve pregnancy naturally!
A two part series
Sundays February 4 and 11, 11:00 - 1:30 pm
Cost: $85.00 for one person, $145.00 for a couple

Flower Essence Workshop for Clutter and Space Clearing

Join Internationally recognized Flower Essences practitioner, author and owner of Alaskan Flower Essences Steve Johnson to explore Flower Essences for Clutter Clearing and Space Clearing. In this day long intensive, Steve will focus on the Alaskan Essence Sacred Space Sprays and some straightforward techniques for clearing out the house. This is a wonderful opportunity for some pre-spring cleaning!
Sunday, February 18, 10 am - 6 pm
Cost: $70.00

Herbs and Nutrition for Pregnancy and Childbirth

Join medical herbalist and labor and postpartum doula Samaya Marpet to learn about some of the basic principles and vocabulary of herbal medicine. We will discuss how to safely use herbs in pregnancy and labor, how to nourish our growing bodies with wise food choices and nutritious herbs, and we will discuss other naturopathic remedies for healthy mothers, babies and smooth labor.
Wednesday, March 7, 7 - 9 pm
Cost: $20.00

Herbs and Nutrition after Childbirth

Medical Herbalist Samaya Marpet discusses the physiological changes our bodies undergo in the year proceeding childbirth. We will discuss herbal remedies that are safe for use while breastfeeding, herbs and nutrition specifically for breastfeeding, and herbs as well as other naturopathic protocols to ease us mentally, emotionally, and physically through this time of major changes.
Wednesday, March 14, 7 - 9 pm
Cost: $20.00

Boosting Your Families' Immune System, Naturally

Join Medical Herbalist Samaya Marpet to explore immune boosting herbs, nutrition and other naturopathic remedies safe for pregnant mothers, nursing mothers, babies, and children. We will touch on some basic principles of natural medicine, discuss safety and dosages for babies and children, and learn how to make herbal infusions and syrups.
Wednesday, March 21, 7 - 9 pm
Cost: $20.00.

Meadowsweet Herbs' Holistic Healing Center

New Year's Resolution Herbal Consultation Special

Commit to your New Year's Resolution to get healthy with a little help from one of our Clinical Herbalists! Get 15% off and herbal consultation during the month of January.

Kundalini Yoga Special

Also during the month of January get 15% off a private Kundalini Yoga Class designed just for you! Kundalini Yoga is a sacred science that works on the total energy of the glandular and nervous systems, combining and integrating these energies to reveal our creative potential. Let us create an individualized set of postures and breath-work for you!