Catnip

Table of Contents

1. Description
2. Origin
3. Uses
4. Culture
5. Sources
6. Thanks to...

Nepeta cataria
Family: Labiatae (mint)

Common names: catmint, catnep, cat's wort, field balm, dog mint

Description

Catnip, Nepeta cataria is an erect perennial with square, branched, wooly stems. Leaves are heart shaped with grayish-green, downy undersides and toothed edges. Flowers are tubular, white with purple-pink spots, and are arranged in dense whorls on spikes.

Japanese catnip, Schizonepeta tenuifolia is closely related to Nepeta cataria. Japanese catnip is used medicinally for hemorrhages, postnatal bleeding, colds, measles and nettle rash.

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Origin

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Uses of Catnip and Claims

• Culinary: used to make tea (fine stems and leaves only), eaten in salads
• Medicinal:
  • Internally: used as a sedative, to settle stomachs, to induce sweating, as an antiflatulent, to settle indigestion, to relieve colic
  • Externally: ointments to relieve arthritis, hemorrhoids
• Industrial: cat toys

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Culture

• Propagation: Catnip can be propagated by seed, cuttings, and divisions. Seed germinates easily in 2-3 weeks. Sow seeds 2 - 3 mm deep. Space plants 22 - 30 cm apart in rows 75 - 90 cm apart.
• Soil type: Catnip prefers well-drained soil but it will grow in clay if well fed. Catnip grows well in a pH of 5-7.5 and a sunny site. Cold hardy.
• Cultivation: Weed as necessary. Replant every 3 years
• Harvest: Harvest in late summer during full bloom. Harvest once in the first year and twice a year after that. Leave at least 7 cm of stubble. The yield can be 3,000-4,000 pounds per acre.
• Post harvest handling: Dry in the field, by hanging or by heating at 40 degrees C. Volatile oils will deteriorate under improper drying conditions.
  

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Sources

• Bown, D. 1995. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. RD Press.
• Chevallier, A. 1996. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Reader's Digest Association.
• Halva, S. and Craker, L.E. 1996. Manual for Northern Herb Growers. HSMP.
• Keville, K. 1994. Herbs an Illustrated Encyclopedia. Friedman/Fairfax
• Kowalchik, C. and W. H. Hylton Eds. 1998. Rodale's illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Rodale Press.
• McVicar J. 1998. Jekka's Complete Herb Book. Raincoast Books.
• Sturdivant, L, T.Blakely. 1999. Medicinal Herbs in the Garden, Field & Marketplace. San Juan Naturals.

Thanks to

This demonstration garden was a result of the efforts of Dr. Alan McKeown, Vegetable Scientist, University of Guelph and was made possible with grants from the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the Tobacco Diversification Program.

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