PDR for Herbal Medicines

164 /CATECHU PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 'John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

Catha edulis

See Khat

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

TRADE NAMES

Catnip is available from numerous manufacturers, sometimes

as Catnip Leaf, Catnip Herb or Catnip Herb Liquid.

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the aerial parts of

the plant.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is spike-like and the

lower verticillasters distant from each other. The small

individual flowers are on short pedicles. The bracts are 1.5 to

3 mm and linear-awl-shaped. The sepals are 5 to 6.5 mm

long and ovate. The tips are 1.5 to 2.5 mm long, linear-

lanceolate and patent. The corolla is 7 to 10 mm long,

slightly longer than the calyx and white with small purple

spots.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The root of the plant is perennial.

The stems are up to 1 m high, angular, erect and branched.

They are leafy and gray-pubescent to tomentose, which gives

the entire plant a whitish-gray appearance. The leaves are 2

to 8 cm, ovate, cordate at the base, crenate or serrate and

gray-tomentose beneath. The petiole is 0.5 to 4 cm in length.

Characteristics: The plant has a characteristic aromatic

scent, reminiscent of Mint and Pennyroyal.

Habitat: Catnip is indigenous to Europe and naturalized in

the U.S.

Production: Catnip is the aerial part of Nepeta cataria. The

harvesting'of uncultivated plants takes place during the

flowering season. The drug is manually cut during dry and

sunny weather. The woodless parts of the plant are sorted out

and the usable material is then left to dry in the shade.

Other Names: Catnep, Catnip, Catmint, Catswort, Field

Balm

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (0.2-0.7%): chief components are nepetalactone
(share 80-95%), additionally including among others epi-

nepetalactone, caryophyllene, camphor, thymol, carvacrol,

pulegone

EFFECTS

Active agents are bitter and tannin substances, as well as

essential oil. Catnip is considered to have antipyretic,

refrigerant, antispasmodic, sedative and diaphoretic effects.

The tea has a diuretic effect and increases gallbladder

activity.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Folk medicine uses include treatment of

colds, colic and fevers. It is also used for nervous disorders

and migraine, since preparations from the mint have a

calming effect. It is also used in the treatment of gynecologi-

cal disorders. Nepeta cataria has a long tradition in England

and France as a kitchen and medicinal herb and was used

occasionally as a stimulating drink until the introduction of

black tea.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Catnip is not to be taken during pregnancy.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Orally in ground and dried forms.

Flowers are usually ingested in tea form, because the

important constituent elements are to some extent volatile.

How Supplied:

Capsules — 380 mg

Fluid extract — 1:1

Liquid — 1:01

Preparation: To prepare an infusion (tea), add 10 dessert-

spoonfuls per liter of water, leave this to steep for 10

minutes, then strain.'

Daily Dosage: 2 to 3 cups of the tea daily.

LITERATURE

Harvey JW et al., (1978) Lloydia 41:367.

Hatch RC, (1972) Amer J Vet Res 33:143.

Margolis JS, In: Complete Book of Recreational Drugs, Cliff

House Books USA 1978.

Roitman JN, (1981) Lancet 1:944.

Sakan T et al., (1967) Tetrahedron 23:4635.

Sastry SD et al., (1972) Phytochemistry 11:453.

Sherry CJ et al., (1981) Quart J Crude Drug Res 19(1):31.

Tagawa M, Murai F, (1983) Planta Med 47:109.