Witnessed by: Western
Catnip (Nepeta cataria), of the Lamiaceae family. Grey-downy perennial mint with soft heart-shaped leaves; native range: dry banks and waste ground of Europe and western Asia, widely naturalised. Globally recognized as catmint; catnep; field balm in English. The part used is flowering aerial parts. Softly hairy herb with a minty, faintly musky-pungent scent that cats find intoxicating.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
CATNIP
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- catnip
- Scientific name
- Nepeta cataria L.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Form
- Part used
- flowering aerial parts
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- aromatic · pungent · bitter
Temperature
- Western
- warm (relaxing)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- nerves · stomach · digestion
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- diaphoretic, carminative, nervine, mild sedative, antispasmodic, febrifuge
Cautions
- Contraindications
- large amounts best avoided in pregnancy as a mild emmenagogue
- Toxicity
- very gentle and well suited to children at ordinary dose
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