catmint
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CATMINTNepeta cataria
Catnip
ORIGIN OF PLANT / HABITAT
Native to Asia & Europe occurring in a wide variety of habitats in al but the tropical
regions of the northern hemisphere. Its name refers to its stimulant effect on cats,
which eat & roll in the plant with obvious pleasure. The constituent responsible for this
effect is thought to be actinidine, an iridoid glycoside, similar to that found in
Valerian.
The hybrid Nepeta x faassenii, also commonly called catmint, is a popular
ornamental but has less effect on some cats & no medicinal properties.
GROWTH
Pungent, hairy, herbaceous perennial with erect branched stems.
LEAF SHAPE
Grey-green ovate, toothed leaves, up to 7cm long.
FLOWERS
White, purple spotted, tubular flowers are borne on whorls in summer.
SEED / FRUIT
Small, rich brown, oval, flattish with a white fleck on one end.
AROMA
Camphoraceous, pennyroyal-thyme aroma.
PARTS USED
Whole plant, leaves.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
ACTIONS
Bitter, astringent, cooling herb. Lowers fevers, relaxes spasms, increases perspiration,
and has a carminative & sedative effect.
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MEDICINALInternally
Feverish illnesses (especially flu & colds), insomnia, excitability, palpitations, nervous
indigestion, diarrhoea, stomach upset, colic, digestion related headaches, menstrual
pain
May be combined with yarrow & elder for feverish stages of colds & flu, andExternally Haemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism, minor cuts, abrasions, bruising, varicose veins,
scalp irritations
CULINARY Leaves are infused for tea. Added to salads, sauces, stews. Leaves can be rubbed onto meat before cooking.COSMETIC Infusion in the bath will relieve itchy skin. Used as a hair rinse, soothes scalp conditions & promotes growth.. A good conditioning final rinse for dark hair: 2 tbsp each of catmint & rosemary
simmered for 10 minutes in 470ml water, steep for 2 hours. Strain & add 120ml cider
vinegar.
HOME Dried catmint used to stuff toys for cats. Will attract bees & butterflies to the garden. The smell repels rats & it makes a superb insect repelling spray.HISTORICAL The name Nepeta may be derived from the Roman town Nepeti, where catmint
was cultivated & it was more highly valued than today.
Its mildly hallucinogenic leaves were smoked to relieve the pressures of life.FOLKLORE/MYTHICAL POWERS: Cat magic, love, beauty, happiness. MAGICKAL USES: Given to your cat, it creates a psychic bond between you & the
cat. Used in love sachets, usually in conjunction with rose petals. Grown near the
home or hung over the door, i t attracts good spirits & great luck. Catnip leaves are
pressed and used as bookmarks in magical texts.
INFO REF:
Van Wyk, B.; Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 2000. Medicinal Plants of SouthAfrica.
Cunningham, S. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MAGICAL HERBS. Llewellyn Publications, 2002.
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McVicar, J. JEKKAS COMPLETE HERB BOOK. Kyle Cathie Limited, 1999. Brown, D. THE NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS & THEIR USES. Dorling Kindersley, 2002. Roberts, M. A Z OF HERBS. Struik Publishers, 2000. Bremness, L. POCKET ENCYCLOPEDIA HERBS. D K Publishers, 1990.
SPECIMEN COLLECTED My garden PE
DATE 10/2003