Catnip

Common names: Catnip also is known as catnep, catmint, catswort, and field balm.

Efficacy-safety rating:

●●...Ethno or other evidence of efficacy.

Safety rating:

What is Catnip?

Catnip is an aromatic perennial herb native to central Europe and now naturalized throughout the northeastern US and Canada. The medicinal components of the plant are its dried leaves and white flowering tops. Catnip often is found around old barns, presumably because farmers planted it for barn cats.

What is Catnip used for?

Catnip was documented in an Irish Herbal in 1735. Historically, it had been promoted to induce urination, open lung and womb obstruction, and expel worms from the body.� In Appalachia, catnip tea has been used by humans to treat colds, nervous conditions, stomach ailments, hives, and to bring on delayed menses. The dried leaves have been smoked to relieve respiratory ailments, and a poultice has been used externally to reduce swelling. During the 1960s, catnip was used by humans as an hallucinogen.

In humans, catnip tea has been used as a calmative and sleep aid. The essential oil component is similar to the sedative compounds in valerian, another calming herb.� This calming effect makes catnip useful for migraine headaches, nervous disorders, and digestive complaints. It purportedly helps indigestion, colic, cramping, and flatulence. However, there is little or no clinical evidence of its effectiveness.

Catnip also has increased gallbladder activity and been used for its diuretic effects.� Because catnip exhibits antipyretic (anti-fever) and diaphoretic (sweating) actions, it has been promoted for the treatment of flu, colds, and fever. Topically, catnip has been applied for arthritis treatment as a tincture and for hemorrhoids as an ointment. Review of the scientific literature reveals no clinical evidence evaluating the effectiveness of catnip in humans.

The animal data shows catnip to apparently have the opposite effects to that of humans. Euphoria and sexual stimulation in felines is known as the catnip response. Catnip is widely recognized for its ability to elicit euphoria in some cats, but not all cats.

What is the dosage of Catnip?

There is no recent clinical evidence to guide dosage of catnip. Classical doses for sedation require 4 g of herb, usually given as a tea.

Is Catnip safe?

Catnip is contraindicated in pregnancy because of its uterine stimulant activities and may be contraindicated in certain gynecological conditions because it could lead to excessive menstrual bleeding.

Documented adverse effects. Emmenagogue (to increase menstrual flow) and abortive effects. Catnip is contraindicated in pregnancy because of its uterine stimulant activities and may be contraindicated in certain other gynecological conditions because it could lead to excessive menstrual bleeding.

None well documented.

Users report some symptoms, generally consisting of headache and malaise.

No health hazards or side effects have been associated with proper administration of catnip in designated dosages. Catnip was once listed in the FDA's ”Herbs of Undefined Safety“ listing in the mid 1970s.

References

Copyright © 2006 Wolters Kluwer Health

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