Wellness Blog

The leaves and flowering tops of Nepeta cataria are harvested between June September for use in the preparation of catnip products. Iridoids, tannins, and the volatile oil nepetalactone are the major active ingredients. Catnip essential oil has sedative, carminative, and antispasmodic effects. It’s a good source iron, selenium, potassium, manganese, and chromium.

Catnip may also have diaphordcand astringent effects. It may help relieve flatulence and colic. Catnip is available capsules, dried leaf, tea, and tincture.

Benefits And Uses of Catnip

Catnip is used to treat colds, cough, fever, migraines, and hives. Dry leaves are smoked to treat bronchitis and asthma, It has also been used internally for menstrual cramps, dyspepsia, and colic because of its smooth muscle relaxant properties. Catnip has been used for insomnia, diuresis, and diaphoresis and for children with diarrhea. A topical poultic: of catnip is used to relieve swelling.

Administration

• Decoction: 1 cup three times a day; prepared by steeping 1 to 2 teaspoons of tea in 6 to 8 oz of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, or boiling it in 6 to 8 oz of water, then simmering at low heat for 3 to 5 minutes .
• Infusion: 1 cup three times a day; prepared by infusing 2 teaspoons of dried herb in 8 oz of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Tincture: 2 to 4 ml three times a day.

Side Effects of Catnip

Adverse effects associated with catnip include malaise, headache, sedation, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. Benzodiazepines and catnip may cause additive central nervous system (CNS) depression. Herbal products prepared with alcohol may cause a disulfiram-like reaction.

Pregnant and breast-feeding patients should avoid use.

Clinical considerations

• Children and geriatric patients should start with weak preparations and increase the strength, as needed.
• Catnip abuse involves either smoking. The dried leaves, similar to smoking marijuana, or making a volatile oil or extract of the herb, soaking tobacco in the extract, and then smoking the tobacco. If abuse is suspected, watch patient for. signs of mood elevation, such as giddiness.
• If patient is pregnant or is planning pregnancy, advise her not to use catnip.
• Caution patient about potential sedative effects and impairments of cognitive ability. Instruction him to avoid activities requiring mental alterness (such as driving) until CNS effects are known.
• Extract may contain alchocal and may be usuitable for children, patients with a history of alchoal abuse, or those with liver disease.
• Instruction patients that liquid from needs to be shaken well before each use.
• Warn patient to keep all herbal products and drugs away from children and pets.
• Instruct patient not to drink alcohol when using catnip.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

The concepts behind the use of catnip and the claims made regarding its effects have not yet been validated scientifically.

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