Western Herbalism
Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Also known as Catmint, Catnep, Catnep; Herba nepetae, Herba catariae.
Traditionally a gentle remedy especially for children (colic, teething, fevers) Calming in humans unlike stimulating in cats Used fresh or dried leaf, aerial parts, flowering tops
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Hiccups
- Hot flashes
- Nervous headache
- Colic
- Flatulence
- Night sweats
- Constipation
- Infantile convulsions
- Acute bronchitis
- Gastric discomfort
- Abdominal complaints
- Pain
- Stomachache
- Abdominal cramps
- Teething pain
- Hysteria
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Menstrual cramps
- Nightmares
- Gas
- Colds
- Insomnia
- Flu
- Diarrhea
- Hyperactivity
- Irritability
- Fever
- Indigestion
Safety
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Caution
The record lists 4 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tea: 1-2 tsp dried leaf/cup water steep 10 min, 3x/day | ||
| Tincture: 2-4 mL (30-60 drops) 3x/day | 2-4 mL | |
| Capsules: 100-380 mg 2-3x/day | 100-380 mg | |
| Dried herb: 5 g 3x/day | 5000-5000 mg | |
| Infusum Cataria, Infusion of Cataria | Dose, ad libitum. | |
| Specific Medicine Nepeta | Dose, 10 to 60 drops. | 0.2-1.2 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Clinical Notes. Traditionally a gentle remedy especially for children (colic, teething, fevers) Calming in humans unlike stimulating in cats Used fresh or dried leaf, aerial parts, flowering tops
Action and Therapy. A safe and valuable, though simple carminative, diaphoretic (in warm infusion), and tonic (cold infusion). A splendid quieting agent for fretful babies, and carminative and antispasmodic for abdominal pain with flatulence.
Properties and Uses. This herb is a diffusive relaxant, mildly diaphoretic, slightly emmenagogue, but especially antispasmodic. The principal use made of it is as a carminative infusion for the colic and restlessness of children; and it is extremely soothing to the nervous system, and deservedly popular.
primary-actions. Catnip acts primarily as: Nervine, Sedative, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diaphoretic. Secondary actions include Emmenagogue, Antipyretic, Stomachic, Astringent, Analgesic.
Drawn from Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory; Scudder's Specific Medication and Specific Medicines; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Felter's Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
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