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Nepeta cataria - Catnip

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Catnip leaves

Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, catswort, or catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, central Asia, and parts of China.

Uses

Motion sickness, Fever, Cold, Headache, Migraine, Anxiety, Stress, Diarrhea, Hysteria[1]

Parts Used

Leaves.

Chemical Composition

Nepetalactones 4aα, 7α, 7aα-nepetalactone; 3,4β-dihydro-4aα, 7α, 7aα-nepetalactone; 4aα, 7α, 7aβ-nepetalactone and β-caryophyllene, five new constituents were identified: dimethyl-3,7 oxa-1 bicyclo [3,3,0] oct-2-ene, piperitone, thymol methyl ether, hexenyl benzoate and humulene oxide[2]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada
Hindi
Malayalam
Tamil
Telugu
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit
English Catnip, Catmint


Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Guna

Veerya

Vipaka

Karma

Prabhava

Habit

Perennial herb

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple long-stemmed Opposite, long-stemmed. Blade cordate–ovate, with tapering tips, hairy, large-toothed. inflorescence’s lowest subtending bracts similar to stem leaves, upper ones small, narrow

[3]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Unisexual white with red spots Stamens 4 Flowering time is July–August and these are Corolla irregular

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
schizocarp Flowering time is september to december With hooked hairs {{{6}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds.

How to plant/cultivate

Nepeta cataria is cultivated as an ornamental plant for use in gardens. It is also grown for its attractant qualities to house cats and butterflies. The plant is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. It can be a repellent for certain insects, including aphids and squash bugs. Catnip is cultivated in drained soils, enriched with peat and manure[4]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Yards, Waste ground, Roadsides, Ruins.

Photo Gallery

References

External Links