Catnip

Scientific Name(s): Nepeta cataria L. Family: Lamiaceae (mints)

Common Name(s): Catnip , catnep , catmint , catswort , field balm

Clinical Overview

Uses of Catnip

Most of the scientific evidence on catnip involves animal studies and there is no evidence evaluating the effectiveness of catnip in humans. Historical and tertiary references document its use in humans as a sleep aid and calmative, as well as its use in the treatment of migraines, GI problems, colds, flu, fever, and topically for arthritis and hemorrhoids. Some evidence exists for its antimicrobial activity against fungi and gram-positive bacteria. Catnip may act as a repellant to mosquitoes, cockroaches, and termites.

Catnip Dosing

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.

Contraindications

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.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Documented adverse effects (emmenagogue and abortifacient 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.

Catnip Interactions

None well documented.

Catnip Adverse Reactions

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

Toxicology

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.

Botany

Catnip is an aromatic perennial herb native to central Europe and now naturalized throughout the northeastern US and Canada. This plant grows to approximately 1 m and has dark green, oval-toothed leaves. The medicinal components of the plant are its dried leaves and white flowering tops, which are gathered during summer and autumn. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 Catnip often is found around old barns, presumably because farmers planted it for barn cats.

History

Catnip is widely recognized for its ability to elicit euphoria in some cats.

Catnip was documented in K'Eogh's Irish Herbalin (1735) and has been used for ornamental and culinary purposes and as a domestic folk medicine remedy. The plant's leaves and shoots have been used as a flavoring in sauces, soups, and stews, and in several patented beverages as well as fruit table wines and liquors. The leaves and flowers are used in herbal teas. 5 , 6

Medicinally, the plant has been used as an antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, nervine or sedative, and stomachic. The plant has been used to treat diarrhea, colic, the common cold, and cancer. In Appalachia, nervous conditions, stomach ailments, hives, and the common cold are treated with catnip tea. The dried leaves have been smoked to relieve respiratory ailments, and a poultice has been used externally to reduce swelling. 5 , 6

In the early 1900s, the flowering tops and leaves were used to induce delayed menses. During the 1960s, catnip was used for its euphoric effects. One review documents antimicrobial activity with the plant's essential oils and antioxidant properties with its extracts. 5 , 6

Chemistry

The major constituents in the volatile oil of catnip include the major compound geranyl acetate (54.8%), followed by citronellyl acetate (13.4%), citronellol (6.9%), and geraniol (5.5%). The most abundant sesquiterpenes in the essential oil included germacrene D (1.9%), caryophyllene oxide (1.8%), and spathulenol (1.1%). Constituents vary depending on vegetation period and region. 5

One review article determined that the essential oil of catnip consisted of 4aα,7α,7αβ-nepetalactone (11.4% to 56.9%), β-caryophyllene (6.2% to 24.6%), caryophyllene oxide (14.3% to 18.2%), 4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalactone (1.3% to 2.8%), and 3,4β-dihydro-4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalactone (1.7% to 2%). However, the oil of N. cataria L. from two different Bulgarian origins consisted mainly of terpenoids, including 4aβ,7α,7aα-nepetalactone (11% and 6%) and 4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone (24% and 78%). Three new compounds were discovered: nepetalic acid (1.2% and 1.6%), 3,4β-dihydro-4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone (10%), and 3,4α-dihydro-4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone (15%). The minor isomer trans-cis-nepetalactone possesses the cat-attractant activity of the isomeric mixture. 5 , 7 , 8 , 9

Camphor, thymol, carvacrol, and nerol also are in the plant, 3 as are nepetaside, 10 tannins, 2 , 7 and numerous other components. 11 Iridoids 2 , 12 in catnip include epideoxyloganic and 7-deoxyloganic acid. 7 One report discusses (1R,5R,8S,9S)-deoxyloganic acid from catnip. 13 Although there appears to be considerable variation in chemical compounds in these plants, it is known that there are at least the 2 chemotypes of catnip; one has a preponderance of nepatalactones and one has more terpenoids.

Catnip Uses and Pharmacology

Most of the scientific evidence on catnip involves animal studies. Catnip is available in the wild or commercially in pet stores as the leaf or liquid extract. Best known for its appeal to felines, catnip transforms some cats into a euphoric state. Domestic cats and large cats, such as tigers and jaguars, respond to catnip by sniffing, licking, head shaking, rolling, and body rubbing. 7 This “catnip response” has been described in detail, consisting of 6 distinct phases, each lasting 10 minutes and ranging from stretching and animation to euphoria and sexual stimulation. 14 The response is observed in essentially all species of cats, but not all cats respond to the plant. Furthermore, the response does not appear to develop until 3 months of age. In Siamese cats, the response is inherited as an autosomal dominant gene. In a random sampling of 84 cats from the Boston area, one third of the animals did not respond to catnip. 15

Similar reactions to catnip in other animals have been reported. Amphetamine-like effects and other behavioral changes in mice caused by catnip have been discussed. 16 Catnip oil and nepetalic acid increased (induced) sleeping time in mice. Other studies showed decreased performance in rats using the Sidman avoidance schedule, following intraperitoneal injections of both constituents. 17 In another report, high levels of catnip alcohol extract caused fewer chicks to sleep, while low to moderate dosing caused more chicks to sleep. 18

Catnip also contains iridoids and has been used as an herbicide and insecticide; iridoids, which are named after a certain ant species, Iridomirmex , are involved in the insect's defense mechanisms. 6 , 12 The term “iridoids” also refers to compounds in the plan family Iridaceae. Entomologists report catnip acts as a repellant to mosquitoes and is more effective than diethyl- m -toluamide or DEET; the plant also repels cockroaches. At 250 ppm, the oil repels termites but is lethal at 500 ppm. 19

Review of the scientific literature reveals no clinical evidence evaluating the effectiveness of catnip in humans. Tertiary resources document that catnip tea has been used as a calmative and sleep aid in humans. This calming effect makes catnip useful for migraine headaches, nervous disorders, and digestive complaints. It purportedly relieves GI complaints including indigestion, colic, cramping, and flatulence. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 Catnip also has increased gallbladder activity and has been used for its diuretic effects. 3 Because catnip exhibits antipyretic and diaphoretic actions, it has been promoted for the treatment of flu, colds, and fever. 2 , 3

Topically, catnip has been applied for arthritis treatment as a tincture and for hemorrhoids as an ointment. 2

A diethyl ether extract from N. cataria L. has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against fungi and gram-positive bacteria. 20

Dosage

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.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Documented adverse effects (emmenagogue and abortifacient effects). Avoid use because of the lack of scientific evidence for safety during pregnancy and lactation. 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. 26

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Excessive ingestion may result in headache and malaise.

Toxicology

Reports by human users describe a happy intoxication similar to the experience one might subjectively observe in an intoxicated cat. Four cases of catnip abuse have been reported, 21 with 2 modes of use being described. The first is similar to marijuana smoking in that the dried leaves are smoked as a “joint” or in a pipe, with catnip burning more rapidly than marijuana. An alternate method involves spraying or soaking tobacco in the volatile oil or extract and then smoking it. The latter method is purported to yield a stronger “high.” These users consistently reported mood elevation and euphoria. Effects were of variable intensity ranging from “giddy” to a feeling of “unreality.” Generally, the experiences were short-lived, lasting only a few hours, and could be reactivated for up to 3 days after smoking by some subjects. However, the validity of these case reports has been questioned. Another case report exists of a toddler suffering from CNS depression after consuming a large quantity of catnip. 22 , 23 , 24

The intraperitoneal LD ₅₀ for catnip oil is 1300 mg/kg. 11 Severe physical effects after catnip abuse usually are absent; however, users report some symptoms, generally consisting of headache and malaise. Large amounts of tea induce emesis. The ingestion of cupful quantities of catnip tea has not been associated with any important toxicity. 4 No health hazards or side effects have been associated with proper administration of catnip in designated dosages. 3 Catnip was once listed in the FDA's “Herbs of Undefined Safety” listing in the mid 1970s. 25

Catnip is contraindicated during pregnancy because of its uterine stimulant activities. Because catnip may lead to excessive menstrual bleeding, it may be contraindicated in certain gynecological conditions.

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