Field Balm
Scientific Name: Catnip
Other Names: Catmint, Catnep, Catrup, Catswort, Field Wort, Nepeta cataria
Should I take it?
A member of the mint family of plants, catnip is thought to have originated in Europe. It can now be found growing wild as a small to medium-sized perennial bush in most of the milder climates of the Northern Hemisphere. Catnip plants have fuzzy, grayish-green leaves and small, white flowers that bloom in the summer. The aerial parts of the plants (flowers, leaves, and stems) are cut while the plants are in full bloom and then dried for use in pet toys and herbal remedies. The whole plant has a mild but distinctive minty smell and flavor. Because it repels certain insects, catnip or chemicals derived from it have been used in pesticides.
Nepetalactone, the same catnip chemical that relaxes humans, is thought to be involved in causing the opposite playful response in cats. Most species of cat, including tigers, respond to catnip with lively behavior. Some unsubstantiated reports attribute similar but milder excitement to catnip when humans smoke it or take in large amounts. No research supports this belief, however.
Dosage and Administration
Catnip sold for pets should never be taken by humans because it may be contaminated with other substances. However, capsule and oral liquid forms of catnip are available commercially for human use.
Commercially dried catnip may be brewed into a tea. Although dosing for catnip varies considerably, a common recommendation for catnip tea is one teaspoon or 2 teaspoons of its dried aerial parts (flowers, leaves, and stems) soaked for 10 minutes in one cup of water that has been allowed to boil and then was taken away from the heat before the catnip was added. Boiling catnip may cause the loss of active ingredients. Catnip tea is usually taken three times a day.
To be used topically, dried leaves or flowers of catnip are mashed into warm water to make a thick paste, which is applied externally as often as needed. Cooled catnip tea may also be used as a soak or a skin wash.
Summary
For humans, oral catnip is used mainly for its calming effect. With mild effectiveness for anxiety and insomnia, it may also have limited ability to treat migraines. Catnip has also been taken by mouth to treat gastrointestinal (GI) ailments such as indigestion. Applied topically, catnip may lessen inflammation and swelling.
Risks
Women who are pregnant or who have conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, that could be aggravated by alterations in uterine muscle tone should avoid catnip. Women who are breastfeeding and young children should not take it by mouth.
Side Effects
Catnip taken by mouth can cause drowsiness. Very large amounts of it could result in fatigue, headaches, nausea, or vomiting.
Interactions
Because it promotes sleepiness, catnip can increase the sedation associated with certain prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, other dietary supplements, and alcohol. It should not be taken at the same time as drugs for anxiety, colds and coughs, epilepsy, or insomnia. Many other medications cause drowsiness, so a healthcare professional should be consulted before catnip is taken with any prescription, non-prescription, or herbal product.
Last Revised July 18, 2008
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Should I take it? 
