[Nepeta cataria]

Catnip, Catnep, Catmint, Nep, or Cat's Wort:

Catnip is traditional used for relieve Amenorrhea; Antispasmodic; Anxiety; Bee string (the pain of); Bronchitis; Carminative; Chicken pox; colds (feverish); Colic; Convulsions; Cough; Delayed menses; Diaphoretic; Diarrhea; Dyspepsia; Emmenagogue; Eyes (pressure from);  Fever; Flatulence; headaches (nerves); Hives; Hyperactivity; Hysteria; Indigestion; Insanity; Insomnia; Measles; Menstrual cramps; Motion sickness; Pain; Pneumonia; Refrigerant; Restlessness; Scarlet fever; Smallpox; Stimulant; Stomachache (due to nerves); Teething; Tonic; Toothache; Worms; and aphrodisiac [for cats].

Warning: No known interaction. (12/2/2008)

—Botanical name— Nepeta cataria, L. Wikipedia.org; Nepeta cataria (LINN.) A Modern Herb  

—Chinese Botanical name—

This information clearly states that Catnip or Catmint does have benefit.

—Physiological Character— Anodyne, Antidiarrheal, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, emetic (in large doses), emmenagogue, mucolytic, nervine, refrigerant, sedative, stomachic, tonic #

—Cultivation— Native to Eurasia, this perennial plant has an erect, hairy, square stem.  The leaves are grayish green, opposite, oval or heart shaped, strongly toothed, and whitish and underneath, with a dentate margin.  The white to light pink or purplish dotted flowers grow in terminal clusters.  The plant can now be found in the wild in North America; it prefers moist, disturbed sites, such as those along roadsides, old buildings, and streambeds.

In the garden, catnip should be grown from seeds.  If you set out seedlings, the neighborhood cats will devour them—hence the saying, “If you set it, cats will eat it.  If you sow it, cats won't know it.”  Catnip can grow in full sun or shade and thrive on low to moderate watering.

 —Description— Catnip is a 50–100 cm tall herb resembling mint in appearance, with greyish-green leaves which are heart shaped are covered with a soft, close down, especially on the undersides; the root is perennial and sends up square, erect and branched stems; the flowers are white, finely spotted with purple or whitish or pale pink color, dotted with red spots, the anthers a deep red color. It has been introduced to many countries, and is now a widespread weed in some areas, including the United States. A lemon-scented cultivar, N. cataria ‘Citriodora' looks exactly like true catnip, but has the scent of lemons, and can be used like Lemon balm.

—Part Used Medicinally—The Whole herb. The flowering tops are the part utilized in medicine and are harvested when the plant is in full bloom in August. The leaf and root are used during the season for tea.

—Medicinal Action and Uses— The herb should always be infused, boiling will spoil it. Its qualities are somewhat volatile, hence when made it should be covered up. #

Producing free perspiration, it is very useful in colds. Catnip Tea is a valuable drink in every case of fever, because of its action in inducing sleep and producing perspiration without increasing the heat of the system.

It is good in restlessness, colic, insanity and nervousness, and is used as a mild nervine for children, one of its chief uses being, indeed, in the treatment of children's ailments. An injection of Catnip Tea is also used for colicky pains.

It has proved efficacious in nervous headaches, encourage suppressed menstruation and as an emmenagogue.  

The tea also relieves headache and hysteria, by its immediate action upon the sacral plexus. The young tops, made into a conserve, have been found serviceable for nightmare.

Old herbalist writers recommended a decoction of the herb, sweetened with honey for relieving a cough.

Catnip contains nepetalactones, which are both analgesic and sedative and affect the opioid receptor sites of the body.  It moves chi, relaxes the nerves, and relieves inflammation.  When served cold before a meal, catnip tea enhances appetite.  When served hot after a meal, it improves digestion.  When taken before bedtime, it promotes sleep, and in the case of a cold or fever, it helps the patient get the rest he or she needs.  Catnip is an excellent herb for children and can help calm young ones, especially through the trials of teething and colic.  It is also a good herb for people who don't like sharing, have a hard time revealing their feelings, and never complain.

Topically, catnip is used as a bath herb for relieving stress; its calming effect can soothe fussy babies.  It also can be used as a compress or poultice in the treatment of pain, sprains, bruises, hemorrhoids, and toothache; as a hair rinse for scalp irritations; as a liniment for arthritis and rheumatism; as an eye wash for inflammation, irritated eyes due to allergies, and bloodshot eyes; and as an enema to cleanse the colon.  As a steam inhalation, it can relieve congestion.

—Nutrient Source—

—Flavor— Before Camellia sinensis became the popular tea in Europe, catnip tea was enjoyed as a common beverage.  This highly aromatic tea has a pleasant minty, pungent, bitter flavor and cooling, drying energy.  The flavor is enhanced by a dash of honey and lemon.

In addition to being prepared as a tea, young catnip leaves can be made into pesto, cooked in sauces, or added to salads.  They also can be rubbed onto meat before cooking as a seasoning.

—Constituents— Calcium, magnesium, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, volatile oils (cavracol), citronellol, geraniol, nepetol, nepetalactone, pulegone, Thymol), iridoids, tannins.

—Side Effects or Negative Effects— The tea may be drunk freely, but if taken in very large doses when warm, it frequently acts as an emetic.

—Contraindications— Large doses of catnip tea can be emetic.  The herb is not known to have any toxicity, although smoking it can produce mild hallucinogenic effects.

—Deterrent— Catnip is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

—References— “Herbal Medicine – The Natural way to Get Well and Stay Well” by – Dian Dincin Buchman, PhD – Copyright 1979, 1996 – ISBN: 0-517-14767-x – Page 84, 190, 196, 206; A Modern Herbal;  Wikipedia.org; “Indian Herbology of North America” by – Alma R Hutchens, – 1969. 1973, 1989 – NLOCC # 615.321 RS 164 – Page 72 – 73;

—References— The Healing Herbs – The Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature's Medicines” by – Michael Castleman;  Copyright 1991;  ISBN: 0-87857-934-6;  Page:  72 – 74

—References— “Nutritional Herbology” A Reference Guide to Herbs By – Mark Pedersen ISBN: 1-885653-07-7 Copyright 2008

—References— “Healing Herbal Teas” A Complete Guide to Making Delicious, Healthful Beverages.  By – Brigitte Mars, A.H.G. ISBN – 13: 978-59120-110-6 and ISBN – 10: 1-59120-110-1 Copyright 2006

—Recipe— Equal parts of Catnip and Saffron are excellent in scarlet fever, smallpox, colds and hysterics.

—Recipe— The fresh expressed juice of the green herb taken in tablespoonful amounts three times a day will encourage suppressed menstruation and proved efficacious in nervous headaches and as an emmenagogue.

—Recipe— The infusion of 1 OZ. to a pint of boiling water may be taken by adults in doses of 2 tablespoonfuls, by children in 2 or 3 teaspoonfuls frequently, to relieve pain and flatulence.

—Recipe— 

—Definition— Emmenagogues are herbs which stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus, some stimulate menstruation. Women have used plants such as mugwort, parsley and ginger to prevent or terminate early pregnancy. Others use emmenagogues to stimulate menstrual flow when menstruation is absent for reasons other than pregnancy, such as hormonal disorders.    

Generated on June 25, 2007
Updated on December 2, 2008