Catnip
Catnip (Mao Bo He)
Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria
Catnip is a gentle edible herb that is ideal for treating children’s fevers, but strong enough to be used by adults. It is often used by women to help induce stuck menses.
Below is an overview of catnip, combining and interpreting the best of Western Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore and more. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of catnip.
Have we sparked your interest?
Sign up, FREE, for access to all of WRI Healing Herb Fact Sheets and Exclusive Member Only Offers! Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Find Out More!
Take full advantage of the healing powers of herbs! What do they treat? How can they be used? Get an Eastern and Western perspective about how and why healing herbs works. Get recipes, gardening tips, insights, and much, much more.
Western
Western Name: Catnip
Also Known As: Catswort, Catmint, Field Balm, Ment De Gato
Organs/Systems: Stomach, Uterus, Lungs, Skin
Key Actions: Relaxant, Diuretic, Tonic, Antifungal, Bacteriacide, Sedative, Febrifuge.
Medicinal Uses: Insomnia, anxiety, migraines and headaches, colds, flu, swine flu, hives, and worms. Treats indigestion, colic, cramping and gas. Increases urination and helps move delayed menses. Applied to skin to treat arthritis, hemorrhoids, swelling.
Eastern
Pin Yin: Mao Bo He
Also Known As: N/A
Meridians: Stomach, Lungs
Key Actions: Releases to the Exterior, Clears Wind Heat, Relieves Stagnant Qi, Reduces Inflammation, Benefits Skin
Medicinal Uses: Colds, flu with headache, chills and fever, sore throat, congestion, wheezing, restlessness, emotional, mental or nervous tension, gas, cramping, dermatitis.
Parts Most Frequently Used: Flowering Top, Leaf
Flavors: Slightly Pungent, Bitter, Cool, Dry
Caution: Considered safe.
History/Folklore: Traditionally used to start menses and aid children’s coughs. Culpeper said, “taken alone or with other herbs in a decoction to bathe in, or sit over the hot fumes thereof; and by the frequent use thereof it takes away barrenness, and the winds and pains of the mother.” Especially effective in cases with congestion and restlessness or delirium. Has been used to treat psychological and physical unrest. Used in cooking to impart a subtle mint flavor. In early colonial times, it was suggested that ingesting catnip would somehow make even the kindest person mean. It was consumed by hangmen to “get in the mood” for performing their job.
Key Constituents:
Attracts Cats
Terpenoid nepetalactone is the constituent in catnip that attracts cats and butterflies.
Insect Repellent
It is a repellent for aphids, squash bugs, mosquitoes, and flies. The plant’s distilled oil repels cockroaches and termites and is considered ten times more effective than DEET, the active ingredient in most insect repellents.
Mild Relaxant
FREE Trial!
Get a NEW Healing Herb Fact Sheet each week!
Sign up for immediate access to your first Healing Herb Fact Sheet and a one month free trial. Find out for yourself why over 50,000 people have already signed up.
Choose the Right Herbs for You!
Take FULL Advantage of the Healing Powers of Herbs!
Our Healing Herb Library is a collection of How to Use Herb Health Sessions that guide you through individual herbs, helping you to take full advantage of each herb’s unique healing powers.
Flower Your World with Healing Herb Fact Sheets!
Get 300+ Fact Sheets,
Right Now!
Get IMMEDIATE access to Our Complete Collection of 6 eBook Volumes containing 300+ Healing Herb Fact Sheets.
Want to Learn More?
Join us for FREE to receive Special Offers and updates about our upcoming courses, FREE materials and more.Disclosure: If you purchase from some links on this web page, we may receive some kind of affiliate commission. However, we only ever mention products we would recommend whether we were being compensated or not. Thank you so much for your support of White Rabbit Institute of Healing!
