- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East and central Asia; naturalised in North America. Nepeta cataria
Europe · Herb · № 109
Nepeta cataria
Herb · Europe
Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Traditionally used as a mild tea for colds, fevers, restlessness and colic. Nepetalactone from the plant is being researched as an insect repellent.
Safety notes
Avoid in pregnancy. May increase drowsiness.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Seek advice in pregnancy.
Preparation
The flowering herb as tea. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Ody describes catnip as a gentle children's herb in English home medicine; before Chinese tea arrived it was also drunk daily. Cats react strongly to its scent.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Carminative, antispasmodic, induces sweating, calming, cooling, aids digestion.
Preparation and amount
Aerial parts.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For diarrhoea and bellyache in children, fever in babies and a baby that cannot sleep.
Preparation and amount
Steep a few stems into a tea.
Caution: Seek advice in pregnancy.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Cats, love, beauty, luck, calm.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Attributed effects
Promotes sleep; purifies the blood and strengthens digestion (in tea).
Preparation and amount
Tonic tea; sleep tea.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)