Catmint

Nepeta cataria


Labiatae


Names: Catnip, Catnep.


Habitat: A common European herb, cultivated in Britain and theUSA.


Collection: The leaves and flowering tops are collected between June and September.


Part Used: Leaves and flowering tops.


Constituents:

  • Volatile oil, carvacrol, citronellal, nerol,
    geraniol, pulegone, thymol and nepetalic acid.

  • Iridoids, including epideoxyloganic acid and 7- deoxyloganic acid.

  • Tannins.

Actions: Carminative, anti-spasmodic, diaphoretic, nervine, astringent.


Indications: Catnip is one of the traditional cold and flu remedies. It is a useful diaphoretic helpful in any feverish condition, especially acute bronchitis. As a carminative with anti-spasmodic properties, Catmint
eases any stomach upsets, dyspepsia, flatulence and colic. It is a perfect remedy for the treatment of diarrhoea in children. Its sedative action on the nerves adds to its generally relaxing properties.


Combinations: May be used with Boneset, Elder, Yarrow or Cayenne in colds.


Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.


Tincture: take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.





Citations from the Medline database for the genus Nepeta


CatnipHarney JW Barofsky IM Leary JD Behavioral and toxicological studies of cyclopentanoid monoterpenes from Nepeta cataria.


Lloydia (1978 Jul-Aug) 41(4):367-74Hatch RC Effect
of drugs on catnip (Nepeta cataria)-induced pleasure behavior in cats.


Am J Vet Res (1972 Jan) 33(1):143-55Sherry CJ Hunter PS The effect of an ethanol extract of catnip (Nepeta cataria) on the behavior of the young chick.


Experientia (1979 Feb 15) 35(2):237-8


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Written by David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMH

Explore Wellness in 2021