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	Search Quick Order Form» Departments Vitamins Minerals Supplements Herbs Home & Grocery Diet & Fitness Body & Bath More Ways to Shop Brands A-Z Natural Remedies Children & Infants Women's Health Men's Health Seniors Newsletter Sign Up Weekly health news, sale announcements and coupons!		Library Home > Herbal Remedies > Catnip CATNIP Botanical names Botany Helpful for Traditional use How it works Amount to take Safety check References View Our Related Product Sections: Catnip Botanical name: Nepeta cataria Parts used and where grown: Catnip is a whitish-gray plant with a minty odor. The flowers are white with crimson dots. The catnip plant grows in North America and Europe. The leaves and flowers are used as medicine. Catnip has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information): Rating Health Concerns Cough Insomnia Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit. Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies): Catnip is famous for inducing a delirious, stimulated state in felines. Throughout history, this herb has been used in humans to produce a sedative effect.1 Several other conditions (including cancer, toothache, corns, and hives) have been treated with catnip by traditional herbalists. Active constituents: The volatile oil in catnip contains the monoterpene, nepetalactone, which is similar to the valepotriates found in valerian, a more commonly used herbal sedative.2 Human trials are lacking to prove the effectiveness of catnip for treating insomnia. It has been used traditionally to reduce gas and act as a digestive aid.3 How much is usually taken? 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. Drink 2–3 cups per day.4 For children with coughs, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of tincture three times per day can be used. Adults may take twice this amount. Are there any side effects or interactions? No common side effects have been associated with the use of catnip. Since catnip (particularly the volatile oil) may act to promote uterine contractions, it should not be used during pregnancy. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with catnip. References: 1. Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994, 120–1. 2. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum, 1988, 282. 3. Sherry CJ, Hunter PS. The effect of an ethanol extract of catnip (Nepeta cataria) on the behavior of the young chick. Experientia 1979;35:237–8. 4. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, et al. (eds). PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics, 1998, 991–2. Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc.  All rights

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