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What is catnip? is a medicinal herb that offers varities of health benefits that included treatment for stomach discomfort and as body and muscle relaxant…(more)

Catnip Preparation catnip tea is prepared by boiling dried leaves and flowers in water….(more)

Scientific Name : Nepeta cataria

Common Names : Catnip, Cataire, Catmint, Catnep, Catswort, Field Balm, Herbe à Chat, Hierba Gatera, Menta De Gato, Menthe des Chats,

Catnip Plant Description

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) also known as catswort, or catmint is an erect perennial plant in the Lamiaceae family that is native to Europe and Asia. Catnip is now widely planted in many parts of the world as garden plant and is a preferred plant by cat lovers. Catnip is a hardy, drought tolerant plant that grows well in sunlight. Catnip plants can grow to almost a meter in height and a meter wide.

Catnip flowers has small white or lilac flowers that are dotted with purple spots. Catnip flower is about 1/2 inch long and have 5 petals united into a 2-lipped tube. The upper lip consists of 2 lobes while the lower lip has 3-lobes which is common in mint plant family. Catnip flowers form a dense whorled cluster at the ends of stems and branches.

Catnip leaves are opposite, hairy and triangular in shape. Catnip leaves are pale green in color while the underside is densely covered with hair which appears white. Catnip leaves have pointed tips and serrated edges. When crushed, it gives off a peculiar minty scent. The leaves are attached with slender petioles to the stem that is erect, square, branched and covered with short hairs.

Catnip flowers produce pods that have 4 seeds. Catnip seeds are smooth, red brown in color with white spots at both ends and are oval shaped.

Catnip is best known for the minty odor emitted by its leaves and stems when they are crushed or wilted. As its name suggests, cats love to nip the plant. Catnip contains a chemical called “nepetalactone” that when ingested or inhaled by cats, it triggers a peculiar response. Although not all cats are sensitive and would exhibit a response but most will do.

Young leaves are edible raw. They have an aromatic mint-like flavor eaten in salads.

Catnip plant constituents include a terpene, Acetic acid, Alpha-Citral beta- Citral, Butyric acid, Citronella, Dipentene, Geraniol, Limonene, Nepetalactone, Nepetalic acid, Nerol, Tannin and Valeric acid

Catnip Health Benefits include the following:

• Catnip is one of the herbal medicines that offer varieties of health benefits especially for digestive disorders and to relieve fevers due to colds and flu,
• Catnip has been used to calm troubled stomach due to diarrhea, to prevent nausea such as in motion sickness and flatulence,
• Decoction of catnip leaves are known to induce sweating thereby improving body temperature associated with fever, colds and flu while at the same time offering relief from headache and migraine,
• Another health benefit that can be derived from catnip is its calming property that is beneficial against nervousness, anxiety, stress, restlessness and sleeplessness (insomnia).
• Catnip oil is used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and calmness,
• Decoction of catnip can also offer health benefit for menstruating women, by promoting menstrual flow and relieving stomach cramps.
• Decoction made as tea from catnip leaves and flower is found to have strong antispasmodic action that can relieve muscle spasm,
• Other health benefits from catnip include relief from cough and as an astringent,
• Poultice from leaves and flowers are used to relieve inflammation associated with arthritis, hemorrhoids and soft tissue inflammation.
• Decoction of leaves and flowers are also known as diuretic that promotes urination.

Title : Nepeta cataria L. var. citriodora (Becker) increases penile erection in rats.

Bernardi MM, Kirsten TB, Lago JH, Giovani TM, Massoco Cde O. Source Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Oct 2011 Health Science Institute, Paulista University, São Paulo, Brazil.

Summary: Because sexual behavior is involved in pleasure, the effect of NC on sexual behavior and penile erection was evaluated in male rats that were acutely fed chow enriched with 10% Nepeta Cataria leaves. Results of the study suggested that Nepeta Cataria increases penile erection and slightly improves male rat sexual behavior by an action on dopaminergic systems. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21843621

Dried catnip leaves and flowers can be bought from a Chinese medicine store or any other herbal stores.

Dried catnip or in oil extracted form or capsules are likewise available in some health stores. If there is none available nearby, online source such as here may be an alternative.

You can also grow your own catnip plant since it can easily grow even in less productive soil. You can get catnip plant from your local nursery or you can cut some stems from a neighbor and plant in your garden.

Catnip is also available online in amazon such as the Frontier Catnip Leaf & Flower C/s Certified Organic,

• Catnip tea is prepared by adding 1 to 2 tablespoon of dried catnip leaves and flowers for every cup of boiling water,
• Cover and let it steep for 10 minutes
• Strain the catnip leaves and flower parts,
• Drink while warm, twice or three times a day
• Catnip tea can be added with milk, creamer or coffee.

Teas and decoctions are taken 2 to three cups per day for adults and 1 to 2 cups a day for children.

Catnip capsules are taken as recommended by manufacturer as indicated in its accompanying labels.

Catnip use for adults:

Catnip is found to be generally safe for adults. However just like any other medicinal herbs, side effects of over consumption of catnip may include vomiting, headaches, and a general feeling of being sick.

Dried catnip leaves have been long believed to produce mild hallucinogenic effect when smoked and is considered unsafe.

Catnip can promote menstruation, thus, catnip use is discouraged for women with pelvic inflammatory disease or having heavy menstrual flow problems.

Catnip use for young children and breast feeding mothers.

There is no sufficient research done to determine side effects of catnip use in very young children and breast feeding mothers. Catnip use is discouraged.

Catnip use by Pregnant Women

Catnip use during pregnancy is unsafe. Catnip can stimulate uterus contractions and can induce abortion or miscarriage.

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