Nepeta Cataria – Medicinal Plant of Interest in Phytotherapy and Beekeeping

Hop and Medicinal Plants, Year XXII, No. 1-2, 2014 ISSN 2360 – 0179 print, ISSN 2360 – 0187 electronic

NEPETA CATARIA – MEDICINAL PLANT OF INTEREST IN PHYTOTHERAPY AND BEEKEEPING

DUDA Simona C., Liviu Al. MĂRGHITAŞ, Dan S. DEZMIREAN, Otilia BOBIŞ, Marcel M. DUDA University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca [email protected]

Abstract: Catnip is a traditional remedy for cold and flu, including for children. The fresh herb and the inflorescences contain: iridoids, tannins and etheric oils (0,3-1%). Catnip leafs are used fresh or dried, and as a flavoring in food, salads, soups or cooked meals. Some of the Nepeta species is used by bees as a source for pollen and nectar. Key words: Nepeta cataria L. (Catnip), source for pollen, traditional remedies, essential oil.

Catnip (catnep, catswort, catmint) is known for its quality to attract cats (and even some larger felines, for example tigers) and to make them euphoric (“Cat craziness”). The name of the plant comes from the attraction it generates on cats who love to eat it and it stimulates them to play. The plant has a similar but smaller effect on small chicks, rodents and even humans. Due to this it has even an aphrodisiac effect (Bernardi et al. 2011). The fresh herb and the inflorescences contain: iridoids, tannins and etheric oils (0,3-1%) (alfa and beta nepetaloctone (monoterpenoids), over 70%, citronelol, geraniol, epinepetalactone and cariofilene), that can be extracted through hydro-distillation. Nepetaloctones repel flies and mosquitoes (D. Kingsley, 2009; Birkett et al., 2011). They are also used to make insect attractants (pheromone traps). Catnip is a traditional remedy for cold and flu, including for children, especially combined with elderberry. It has a cough suppressive effect, causes sweat, helps fever especially in acute bronchitis. It can be used as a sedative, antispasmodic and in aromatherapy it’s recommended for nervous system diseases. It’s a diuretic → increases the urination quantity and frequency. It helps stomach aches, constipation, flatulence and colic. It’s the perfect remedy for treating diarrhea in children. It also has anti- anxiety effects, sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic,

34 emmenagogue, nervine, refreshing, sedative, stomachic effects and increases appetite (http://www.pfaf.org). For cold treatments it can be combined with Indian sage (Salvia divinorum), yarrow or chili. Catnip leafs are used fresh or dried, and as a flavoring in food, salads, soups or cooked meals. It’s best prepared as an infusion (boiling destroys the active ingredients) in a closed container, so as not to lose the aromas - essential oils. It can be used also as a tincture or cataplasm. It is one of the oldest traditional remedies, very effective in treating infants and young babies. It’s particularly efficient in treating any pain, spasm, flatulence, stomach acidity and for intestinal colic prevention. One spoon infused in half a liter of water and used for enema has a soothing effect in seizures, fever and helps eliminate intestinal parasites in children. Enema with concentrated tea helps headaches. It’s recommended in amenorrhea. Associated with lemon balm and marshmallow it is an excellent remedy for infant colic. It’s easily assimilated by the body and it should replace various soothing syrups on the market several of which are harmful. This wonderful remedy should be found in any home. For a better taste a teaspoon of honey can be added after it cools. It can be consumed without any restrictions and a hot enema will help even with blocked urine flow. Preparation and administration: Infusion – pour one cut of boiling water on 2 teaspoons of dried herb and let infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink 3 times per day. The tincture can be administered 3 times a day, 2-4 ml. To maintain its quality the essential oil can be stored even in the freezer in dry form. The catnip seeds are rich in fat oil (linolenic 62,8%) (Domokos, 1994), approx. 25% (Panekina and Gusakova, 1978). In China, catnip is tested in herbal blends for “green roofs” (the plant needs little soil and water because it is perennial and self-seeding) (Zhang and col., 2014). Catnip is also used in sprays and toys for cats. Some of the Nepeta species is used by bees as a source for pollen and nectar (Sammataro and Avitabile 1998, cited by Celenk et al., 2008). Other uses: repels ants, aphids, ticks and even mice and rats (by attracting cats). A concentrated infusion chases away fleas from carpets and animal fur. Herbal extracts have also herbicidal properties. Warning! The plant can be smoked causing euphoria and visual hallucinations. Women with pelvic inflammatory diseases or pregnant women should not use catnip. Avoid driving after using catnip.

35 Biology: It is a perennial herb of height 50 – 100 cm. The leaves are green-gray. The glands secreting the volatile oils (glandular trichomes) form on the surface of the leaves. Herron Scott (2003) studied the morphology of some mutant forms of catnip compared to the shape of the spontaneous plant (Fig. 1).

Fig.1. Morphological differences of various forms of catnip (Herron, 2003). A – mutant form of Nepeta (new leafs with round edges); B – spontaneous Nepeta (leaf edges are crenate-serrated).

The flowers are white, thin with pale purple, pink or reddish dots. They are bisexual, fragrant and pollinated by insects. It blooms from late spring to autumn. It’s very attractive to bees and butterflies. Ecology: it likes sunny places but it can withstand frost. Prefers light-medium and well drained soils. It can withstand alkaline soils. Origin, spread: the plant originates in Europe, south-west and center Asia. It’s spread and naturalized all over the world. It can be found even at 2-3000m in the Himalayan and African tropical mountains or on the Canary Islands. It’s cultivated mostly in Great Britain, southern Scandinavia, eastern Spain, west and center Asia and in the USA. It can be found on the sides of the road and fields on calcareous and gravel soils. It’s found spontaneously in our country (M. Tămaş, 1999).

36 Systematic: N. cataria is part of the Lamiaceae family, Nepetoideae subfamily, Mentheae tribe (Celenk and col. 2008), gender Nepeta from which about 280 species are known. Some of these are N. clarkei, N. citriodora, N. mussinii, N. grandiflora, N. ucrainica L. spp. kopetdaghensis, N. congesta var. congesta, N. elliptica Royle ex Benth., N. racemosa, N. rtanjensis, N. sibirica, N. nervosa, N. sibthorpii Bentham, N. persica, N. flavida, N. tuberosa ssp. reticulata, N. nuda, N. transcaucasica, N. granatensis, N. atlantica, N. parnassica, N. pogonosperma, N. hindostana (Roth) Haines. etc (Nestorović, 2010). The species have different leaf morphology, flowers, calyx structure, corolla and other characteristics. The Nepeta gender can be split in 3 groups based on the flower color and fruit characteristics: group A: white flowers, yellow or pink and tuberculated seeds contains 14 species; group B with dark blue or purple flowers and tuberculated or smooth seeds contains 16 species and group C (section Oxynepeta Benth.) have white flowers, lilac or purple with tuberculated or spherical seeds.

Acknowledgements This paper was published under the frame of European Social Fund, Human Resources Development Operational Programme 2007-2013, project no. POSDRU/159/1.5/S/132765.

References

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