Plant Study
Catnip
Mint
Labiatae/Lamiaceae
Latin Name: Nepata cataria
Common Names: Cataria, Catmint, Catnep, Catrup, Catswort, Chi Hsueh Tsao, Feild Balm, Garden Nep, Herba Cataria, Herba Catti, Nebada (Natures)
Native American Names: Gajugensibug
Related Species: Nepeta agrestis, Nepeta camphorata, Nepeta drphya, Nepeta disolor, Nepeta hemsleyana, Nepata hindostan, Nepeta hispanica
Body System Affiliations:
1. Nervous System
2. Digestive System
3. Reproductive System
4. Pediatries
5. Skin
6. Muscular System
Botanical Description:
Habit: Perennial Herb
Size: Two to three feet high
Arrangement: Opposite, square stem typical of mints
Leaves: Greyish-green, heart shaped, scalloped
Flowers: Tubular, small tight clusters at the end of the branch, white and purple
(Natures Herbal). Flowers in June (Sunset, 381).
Ecology:
Habitat: Alkaline soil, full sun, well drained soil
Range: Milder climates of Northern Hemishphere
Native Where: Europe, Africa, temerpate Asia, Mediterranean, France, Yugoslavia
Ecological Relationships: Found to "intoxicate" cats, not only domestic, but 80% of the
other members of the cat family including pumas, lions and
leopards. "Research also suggests that nepetalactone mimics a
pheromone that is found in the urine of male cats and
associated with courtship behavior. This may be why cats are
so attracted to the herb (Tippy)".
Western (European-American) Uses/Relationships:
Food: Leaves used in salads and garnish, teasCatnip was a familiar herb in English kitchen gardens as far back as the 13th century. Catnip leaves were once used for rubbing meats before they were cooked, and were chopped and sprinkled into green salads. Snip a few leaves into your salads and see how you like it (Herbs2000).
Materials/Technology: Dried leaves can be used to create a cat toy (About).
Medicine:
Part Used: Leaves and flowers
Medicinal Actions: Sedative, anispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic,
nervine, emmenagogue, stomchic, stimulant
Indications: Anxeiety, tension, insonmia, cold and flu, menstrual cramps,
colic, diarrhea, flatulence, bug repelent (Mount). Cools
fevers, promotes sweating; asringent in mucous congestion
(Ody, 135).
Body System Associations: Nervous System, Digestive System,
Reproductive System, Pediatries, Skin, Muscular System
Constituents: The volatile oil in catnip contains the monoterpene,
nepetalactone, which is similar to the valepotriates found in
valerian (Mounts). Citronellol, Alpha- & beta-Citral,
geraniol and citral; bitter principle; tannins (Herbs2000).
Geraniol (Hoffmann, 116).
Applications: Tea
Preparation: A catnip tea can be made by adding 1 cup (250 ml) of
boiling water to 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 grams) of the
herb; cover, then steep for ten to fifteen minutes (Mount).
Pharmacy: Drink 2-3 cups per day (Mount).
Cautions: None Found
Application: Tincture
Preperation: Measure 4 oz. of dried herb to 1 pint solution (vodka, cider
or glycerin). Place dried herb in glass jar. Do not use plastic
or metal. pour solution over herbs, seal and place in a dark
cool place. Shake daily for 2-4 weeks. After 2-4 weeks,
strain into a clean glass container using cheese cloth or a
coffee filter if cloth is not available. Squeeze out excess
liquid from the herb the best you can.Cap and store in a cool
dark place (About).
Indigenous and Non-Western Use/Significance/Relationships: None other found,
mainly a European herb.
Propagation:
Technique: Propogated by seed, seed should be frozen and refrozen a couple of
times, soaked in water to soften the casing, root division of the parent
plant can also take place in the spring (Non-Timber, 3).
Timing: Fall and spring
Harvest:
Plant Part: The flowering tops should be harvested when the plant is in full
bloom (Non-Timber, 3).
Season of Harvest: July and September, late summer, early fall (Hoffmann, 116).
Method of Harvest: Cut the plant back to a few inches above the ground, baler
for large quantities (Non-Timber, 3).
Personal Experience:
Part Used: Flower tincture
Desired Medicinal Actions: Help with a cough/cold
Targeted Indications: A common cold and congestion
Procurement: Tincture
Source Raiance
Condition Tincture
Cost $4.99
Other Procurement Information Purchased at Radiance
Application/Preparation/Pharmacy:
Applications: Took 15 drops orally daily
Preparation: Took directly in mouth
Pharmacy: 15 drops
Reason/Purpose: Help get rid of my cold
Experience: The tincture was very bitter and hard to take, I tried it
in a tea, but that did not make it any better, I found it
hard to keep up with it and did not look forward to it.
Honestly could not tell if it worked or not, I think I
was consistant enough with it to tell the results.
Cautions based on experience: Dilute it in water, or add it to a tea
that may be sweeter in taste, the taste of the catnip is shocking
Cautions: Not to be used by pegnant women."Catnip has some capacity to cause uterine contractions and stimulate menstruation, so you should avoid it if you are pregnant or suffering from menstrual disorders (Herbs2000)."
Drawings, Photographs or Pressings
Drawing: Crystal G. Fagerness, drawing from a plant purchased at Petco, March 2nd, 2006
Picture #1, 2: http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=catnip/v=2/SID=e/l=IVR/;_ylt=A9gnMiMsSgpEQEUAjo2jzbkF; _ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=12paugmle/EXP=1141611436/*-http% 3A//www.craigstock.com/PERENNIALS_SUNGALLERY/pages/BLUE_CATNIP.htm
Picture #3, 4, 5:http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=catnip/v=2/SID=e/l=IVR/;_ylt=A9gnMiGeSgpE8QQAcmyjzbkF; _ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=11qth6rcr/EXP=1141611550/*-http%3A//kaweahoaks.com/html/catnip.html
Pressing: Taken from plant purchased at Petco, 2006.
References Cited:
1. About, Inc. How to Make Tinctures. Online at http://healthyherbs.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Tinctures_Alcohol_Vinegar0962932758.htm. 2006. Visited 3-4-2006.
2. Herbs2000.com. Catnip. Online at http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_catnip.htm#catnip_habitat. 2005. Visited 2-27-2006.
3. Hoffmann, David. Holistic Herbal. Alexandria, Virginia: Time Life Books, 1998.
4. Mount Auburn Hospital. Catnip. Online at http://www.mountauburn.caregroup.org/library/healthguide/en-us/Cam/topic. June 2005. Visited 2-28-2006.
5. Natures Herbal. Catnip. http://www.naturesherbal.com/Catnip.htm. Visited 3-4-2006.
6. Non-Timber Forest Products. Care sheets: Catnip. January 2001. Online at http://www.sfp.forprod.vt.edu/factsheets/catnip.pdf . Visited 3-1-2006.
7. Ody, Penelope. The Complete Medicinal Hervab. New York, NY: DK Publishing, Inc, 1993.
8. Sunset. New Western Garden Book. Menlo Park, California: Lane Publishing Co, 1979.
9. Tippy and Alfreds Fun Pet Newsletter. All about Catnip. Online at http://petcaretips.net/catnip.html. Visited 3-4-2006.
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Kid friendly version of Catnip! |
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| I made this poster with lots of fun pictures and colors to attrack young eyes. |  |
Crystal Fagerness - Art, Environment, and the Child - Winter - 2006
