Family: Lamiaceae
Parts used: Leaves & Flowering tops
Catnip Phytochemistry
Tannins
Bitter principle
Organs/Glands affinity: ANS (autonomic nervous system), Stomach, Intestines, Cardiovascular, Skin (+sweat glands)
Description
“The root is perennial and sends up square, erect and branched stems, 2-3 feet high, which are very leafy and covered with a mealy down. The heart-shaped, toothed leaves are also covered with a soft, close down, especially on the underside which are quite white with it, so that the whole plant has a hoary, greyish appearance, as though it had had dust blown over it.
The Flowers grow on short footstalks in dense whorls, which towards the summit of the stem are so close as almost to form a spike. They are in bloom from July to September. The individual flowers are small, the corollas two-lipped, the upper lip straight, of a whitish or pale pink colour, dotted with red spots, the anthers a deep red colour. The calyx tube has fifteen ribs, a distinguishing feature of the genus Nepeta, to which this species belongs.” -Mrs. M. Grieve
Medicinal Actions
- Aromatic / Carminative
- Spasmolytic
- Digestive Stimulant
- Diaphoretic / Febrifuge / Refrigerant
- Sedative
- Astringent / (Antidiarrheal)
- Gentle Circulatory Stimulant
- Emmenagogue
Historical
- Catnip tea was a very popular beverage in England before the import of Chinese Tea (Camella sinensis)
- Cats have a fascination with this herb, who will destroy any plant with bruised or disturbed leaves. There is an old saying about the plant:
“If you set it, the cats will eat it,
If you sow it, the cats don’t know it.”
Meaning, a cat will destroy a transplanted plant, but leave one grown by seed alone. - Has been used for colic by many cultures.
- Rats detest this plant, and will avoid it. For this reason it can be used as a hedgerow around other plants which rats may damage. Also repels aphids and squash bugs.
- Was used in veterinary medicine as a digestive and mild sedative.
- Was / can be used as a mosquito repellent (due to the phytochemical nepetalactone).
- Some European settlers in North America planted catnip around their home, believing it to repel evil spirits or bring luck.
- In France the leaves and young shoots are used as a seasoning.
- The root when chewed is said to make a meek person aggressive and quarrelsome. For this use it may be an aid during competitive sports.
- Michael Moore: “If you must buy it, crush a little between your fingers; if there is no smell, ignore it. It’s only fit for the most addicted feline. Good Catnip, however, will drive the little carnivores into an almost indecent frenzy. If your cat is controlled, indifferent, prissy-efficient, and gives you an inferiority complex, a few fresh leaves will remove all inhibitions.. The animal will grovel, drool, and make a benign fool of itself. Oriental cats sometimes find this beneath them.”
- Settles stomach & nerves (ANS)
- Colds, congestion, sore throat, indigestion
- Combines well with Fennel for colic
- Fever- A strong diaphoretic (induces sweating), particularly useful when there is congestion in the lungs, sinuses, or middle ear. Use this herb during the cool-down phase of fever or immediately before.
- Nervousness/stress
- Sleep aid
- Excellent remedy for stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome
- Tension/nervous headaches
- Digestive issues inc. dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhoea (particularly in children)
- Measles
- Essential oil is very effective mosquito spray
Cautions & Contraindications
Pregnancy
May cause vomiting in excess dosages or in sensitive persons
E.O. sensitivity
Cultivation
Catmint is easily grown in any garden soil and does not require as much moisture as other mints. Cultivate by dividing the plants in spring, or by sowing seeds at the same time.
Sow in rows 20 in. apart, thinning the seedlings to about 20 in. distance, as they gain considerable size. They require little attention so long as the ground is weeded. Dried seeds last 5 years.
“Catmint (Catnip) forms a pretty border plant, especially in conjunction with Hyssop, the soft blues blending pleasingly, and it is also a suitable plant for the rock garden.” Mrs. M. Grieve
Dosages
Dried herb: 6-12g / day. Infuse by pouring boiling water over the herbs, and allow to steep for 20 min+. (Much of the medicinal value from Catnip is derived from volatile oils, so it is especially helpful to cover the top of the tea-strainer for this herb (volatile oils easily evaporate).)
Tincture: 0.7 – 5 (- 8) mL TDS (3x/day); 2 – 15(- 24) mL per day; 15 – 105 (- 168) mL per week
(1:3 tincture, 50% alc. dry, 90% fresh)
(1-3mL prn (as needed) up to a max of 24mL per day in an acute infection)
(Fresh leaf tincture is a powerful gastrointestinal anti-spasmodic, effect is significantly less in dried leaf tincture)
Overview of Catnip
Catnip calms an overactive nervous system, specifically the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight). It calms you down, relaxes the stomach and intestines, and puts you into a parasympathetic state (rest and digest). So, if you wanted to exercise, compete, or perform a difficult task, catnip is not the ideal herb (except perhaps chewing the root); but if your intention is to calm down at the end of a day, to relax and enhance digestion after a meal, or to get to sleep, catnip is an herb which can flip the autonomic switch from GO, to CHILL.
The infusion is a beloved herbal remedy for babies/toddlers in cases of distress or digestive problems (colic is both), one of the go-to herbs an herbalist will consider when administering herbal medicine for the young as it is gentle, mild, but effective.
Catnip is also an excellent fever herb because it stimulates perspiration. In fever, the hypothalamus is adjusting the heat level of the blood in order to enhance detoxification. One way it does this is by activating vasoconstriction of the blood vessels near the skin, which deters heat loss and brings the heat deeper inward (this is the primary method the body raises its internal temperature, along with the conversion of sugar/energy to mechanical energy (shivering)). Catnip is most effective when a high temperature has already been reached, at which point it can, through its action on the ANS, stimulate the dilation of blood vessels, as well as enhance the effectiveness of the sweat glands. By redirecting blood to the peripherals – the emerging heat near the surface, combined with the sweat glands, causes the skin to sweat (primary method the body has for decreasing body temperature). This “breaks” the fever, disperses toxin-laden sweat, and activates the cool-down phase of a fever.
Note: In fever, the lymphatic system & kidneys are also important to address with herbs. Though Catnip is a tactical and very helpful herb on its own, using herbs like Echinacea root, Plantain, or Red clover, Dandelion leaf, and/or Stinging Nettle, in conjunction or on their own will have greater contributions to a properly-dealt-with fever.
This Post was all about Nepeta cataria (Catnip)..
