{"product_id":"catnip-nepeta-cataria","title":"Catnip (Nepeta cataria)","description":"\u003cp\u003eCatnip has been used in European folk medicine for generations as a calming agent for body and mind.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"description product-description\" data-model=\"XLite\\Model\\Product\" data-identifier=\"37132\" data-property=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eThe ultimate feline herb, for centuries cats have been going crazy over this plant. It makes them happy and spunky, yet has a more sedating effect on people. Catnip has been used in European folk medicine for generations as a calming agent for body and mind. It is gentle and is very useful for children and infants with digestive or emotional disturbances. The essential oil has been used as a fragrance in perfumes, as a culinary flavoring, and more recently, as an insect repellant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eBOTANY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eCatnip is a gray-green perennial with the square stems and terminal flower spikes typical of the Mint or \u003cem\u003eLamiaceae\u003c\/em\u003efamily. It has fuzzy, heart-shaped, toothed leaves and grows 2-3 feet tall.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e5\u003c\/span\u003e It is native to the dry and temperate Mediterranean area in Europe, Asia, and Africa,\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e6\u003c\/span\u003e and was introduced to the many parts of the world, particularly North America, by European settlers,\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e5\u003c\/span\u003e and is now widely naturalized and cultivated extensively in gardens and for commerce. N. cataria is one of 250 species in its genus and is often confused with \u003cem\u003eN. mussinnii\u003c\/em\u003e or catmint.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e6\u003c\/span\u003e A few other species, \u003cem\u003eN. glechoma\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eN. hindostana\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eN. tenufolia\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eN. japonica\u003c\/em\u003e have similar qualities and thus have been used in traditional herbal healing as well.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e7\u003c\/span\u003e The generic name Nepeta is believed to be related to the ancient Etruscan city, Nepete.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eCULTIVATION AND HARVESTING\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eFor commercial purposes, catnip is gathered from naturalized populations in North Carolina and Virginia. It is cultivated extensively for the herbal marketplace in Washington State, various countries in Europe, and in Argentina.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eHISTORY AND FOLKLORE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eUsed in traditional medicine in Europe for centuries, and first mentioned in the poetic 11th century herbal, \u003cem\u003eDe viribus herbarum\u003c\/em\u003e,\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e9\u003c\/span\u003e catnip was prized for its ability to calm occasional nervousness and promote restful sleep.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e10\u003c\/span\u003e It was employed as a relaxant and diaphoretic, and was thus helpful in cases of occasional pain and restlessness Considered extremely useful in children, it was often used to support healthy digestion and soothe the stomach. It was also employed in cases of headache and to support the menstrual cycle.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e10\u003c\/span\u003e Further, it was applied externally as a poultice to decrease swelling.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e10\u003c\/span\u003e Catnip may be made into a juice too for topical application as was the practice by Nicholas Culpepper (a 17th century botanist, avid astrologer, physician, and herbalist) saying that 'the juice drunk in wine is good for bruises.' It is mainly the flowering tops, dried for tea or fresh as an essential oil that are used, but there are accounts of the root being used too. According to Maude Grieve, author of \u003cem\u003eA Modern Herbal\u003c\/em\u003e (which isn't really that modern anymore as it was published in 1931) the root can be stimulating to the point of aggression\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e10\u003c\/span\u003e…so perhaps its best to stick with the above ground parts. In France, catnip was grown for medicinal and culinary purposes. The leaves and young shoots were added to sauces and stews for flavor (which somewhat resemble a mix of mint and pennyroyal).\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eSchizonepeta, \u003cem\u003eNepeta tenuifolia\u003c\/em\u003e, or jing jie in Chinese, is the species used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has some similar uses and is employed for headache and to support healthy skin.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e11\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eCatnip was part of American folk medicine and Native American healing systems, and employed as a gentle tea for children in cases of stomach distress, headache, sleeplessness, and nervousness.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e6\u003c\/span\u003e Catnip was used by the Hoh, Delaware, and Iroquois tribes for children's complaints due to its mild nature. The Cherokee used the plant similarly to other indigenous groups and also considered it to be an overall strengthening tonic. They chose this herb when a sedative was needed in cases of irritability, insomnia, just like the Europeans.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e12\u003c\/span\u003e In the southwestern United States, catnip or 'nebada' amongst the Spanish speakers, was utilized in traditional folk medicine to allay a range of digestive problems. It was considered particularly useful for soothing the stomach and enhancing digestion in infants. Also, it was sold as a brandy infusion with 'hinojo' or fennel as a digestive tonic.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e2\u003c\/span\u003e Catnip is an antispasmodic for soothing stomach complaints and therefore good in a laxative formula with harsh herbs like senna.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e5\u003c\/span\u003e Some herbalists find it helpful to balance physical manifestations such as headache or indigestion that stem from emotional issues or the \"gut level\".\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e5\u003c\/span\u003e This herb is energetically considered to be slightly warming\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e11\u003c\/span\u003e and thus useful as a diaphoretic to bring on perspiration.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e4,5\u003c\/span\u003e More recently catnip essential oil has shown great potential as an effective insect repellant.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e13-15\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eHERBAL ACTIONS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eCalmative,\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e5\u003c\/span\u003e diaphoretic, relaxant, carminative, astringent, digestive stimulant, insect repellant (volatile oil), emmenagogue, tonic\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eUSES AND PREPARATIONS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eDried leaves, and\/or whole flowering top and leaf, as a tea, sachet, or tincture\u003cbr\u003e Fresh leaves, and\/or whole flowering top as an essential oil, or tincture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eCONSTITUENTS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eVolatile oils containing nepetalactone, tannins, bitter principle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eSCIENTIFIC RESEARCH\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eResearch suggests catnip is effective as mosquito repellent. Its volatile oils have shown repellant effect in 13 insect families.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e16-18\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eHERBAL MISCELLANY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eOne version of an old adage regarding the relationship between cats and catnip is this: 'If you set it, the cats will eat it, If you sow it, the cats don't know it.' This folk myth suggests that when plants are grown from seed, or 'sown' cats don't bother the plant, but when they are transplanted, cats will destroy it.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e10\u003c\/span\u003e The feline's attraction to this plant is curious indeed, and in fact, referred to as the \"the catnip response.\"\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e3\u003c\/span\u003e It is not just observed in domesticated housecats, but also in jaguars, tigers, leopards, lions, and several other large cats. It elicits behaviors such as chewing and head shaking, rolling around on the floor, and even arouses sexual desire;\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e3\u003c\/span\u003e this response lasts from 15 minutes to 1hour. They are responding to the scent of nepetalactone in catnip, the aromatherapeutic element being more powerful than taking it internally.\u003cspan style=\"font-size:13.5px;\"\u003e3,6\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003ePRECAUTIONS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific:\u003c\/strong\u003e No known precautions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral:\u003c\/strong\u003e We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eREFERENCES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eUnited States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Accessed at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ars-grin.gov\/cgi-bin\/npgs\/html\/taxon.pl?2721.\" style=\"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(198, 116, 79); background-color: transparent;\"\u003ehttp:\/\/www.ars-grin.gov\/cgi-bin\/npgs\/html\/taxon.pl?2721.\u003c\/a\u003e July 5, 2014.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eMoore M. \u003cem\u003eLos Remedios: Traditional Herbal Remedies of the Southwest\u003c\/em\u003e. Santa Fe. New Mexico: The Museum of New Mexico Press; 1990.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eLeung AY, Foster S, eds. \u003cem\u003eEncyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics\u003c\/em\u003e. 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc; 1996.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eMills, S. (1988). \u003cem\u003eThe dictionary of modern herbalism\u003c\/em\u003e. Healing Arts Press.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eWeiss, G., \u0026amp; Weiss, S. (1985). \u003cem\u003eGrowing \u0026amp; using the healing herbs\u003c\/em\u003e. Rodale Press.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eFoster, S. (1993). \u003cem\u003eHerbal renaissance\u003c\/em\u003e. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith 234p. ISBN, 879055235.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eDuke J. A. Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Accessed at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ars-grin.gov\/duke\/\" style=\"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(198, 116, 79); background-color: transparent;\"\u003ehttp:\/\/www.ars-grin.gov\/duke\/\u003c\/a\u003e on July 5, 2014.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eMissouri Botanical Gardens. Accessed at\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.missouribotanicalgarden.org\/PlantFinder\/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=e330\" style=\"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(198, 116, 79); background-color: transparent;\"\u003ehttp:\/\/www.missouribotanicalgarden.org\/PlantFinder\/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=e330\u003c\/a\u003e on July 8, 2014.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eRiddle, J. M. (1994). \u003cem\u003eContraception and Abortion from the Ancient World to the Renaissance\u003c\/em\u003e. Harvard University Press.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eGrieve M. \u003cem\u003eA Modern Herbal\u003c\/em\u003e. Vol. 2. New York: Dover Books; 1971. Accessed at\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.botanical.com\/botanical\/mgmh\/o\/oats--03.html\" style=\"text-decoration: none; color: rgb(198, 116, 79); background-color: transparent;\"\u003ehttp:\/\/www.botanical.com\/botanical\/mgmh\/o\/oats-03.html\u003c\/a\u003e on June 19, 2014.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eBensky, D., Gamble, A., \u0026amp; Kaptchuk, T. J. (1993). Chinese herbal medicine: materia medica.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eHamel, P. B., \u0026amp; Chiltoskey, M. U. (1975). Cherokee plants and their uses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eNostro, A., Angela Cannatelli, M., Crisafi, G., \u0026amp; Alonzo, V. (2001). The effect of Nepeta cataria extract on adherence and enzyme production of \u003cem\u003eStaphylococcus aureus. International journal of antimicrobial agents\u003c\/em\u003e, 18(6), 583-585.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eMiceli, N., Taviano, M. F., Giuffrida, D., Trovato, A., Tzakou, O., \u0026amp; Galati, E. M. (2005). Anti-inflammatory activity of extract and fractions from \u003cem\u003eNepeta sibthorpii\u003c\/em\u003e Bentham. \u003cem\u003eJournal of ethnopharmacology\u003c\/em\u003e, 97(2), 261-266.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003eBourrel, C., Perineau, F., Michel, G., \u0026amp; Bessiere, J. M. (1993). Catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) essential oil: analysis of chemical constituents, bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Essential Oil Research\u003c\/em\u003e, 5(2), 159-167.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003ePeterson C, Rowley W, Coats J. Catnip Essential Oil as a Mosquito Repellent. American Chemical Society’s 222nd National Meeting, 2001 Aug 26-30; Chicago.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003ePeterson C, Coats J. Insect Repellents - Past, Present and Future. \u003cem\u003ePesticide Outlook\u003c\/em\u003e 2001;12(4):154-158.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:#fff;\"\u003ePeterson, C. J., \u0026amp; Ems-Wilson, J. (2003). Catnip essential oil as a barrier to subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the laboratory. \u003cem\u003eJournal of economic entomology\u003c\/em\u003e, 96(4), 1275-1282.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e catmint\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChinese Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e jia jing jie\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnit Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 pound\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePotency:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIngredients\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCatnip - Nepeta cataria\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mountain Rose","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47453021143196,"sku":"MR1112","price":47.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/2407\/0044\/files\/catnip-nepeta-cataria-mountain-rose_0043b480-f306-4d26-89a4-91dd355f2233.jpg?v=1787375609","url":"https:\/\/primenaturalfoods.com\/fr\/products\/catnip-nepeta-cataria","provider":"Prime Natural Foods","version":"1.0","type":"link"}