Basic Information
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perrenial plant of the mint family native to Afro-Eurasia and naturalized to North America. It flowers in spring and summer and has a variety of medicinal uses. It is well known and most understood for its obvious psychoactive effect on many cats, but use in humans has been documented. The active chemical in catnip is nepetalactone.
Uses
In cats, catnip is a moderately strong psychoactive. In humans, catnip is used for various purposes:
- Gastrointestinal issues, particularly diarrhea, gas, and upset stomach (ingested)
- Colds (ingested)
- Cough (ingested)
- Increasing of menstrual flow (ingested)
- Hives (ingested)
- Ailments of the nervous system (ingested)
- Sleep aid (ingested)
- Mild sedation (ingested)
- Hemorrhoids (topical)
- Mucus buildup in respiratory tract, primarily the throat (smoked)
Sourcing
Buying
Foraging
Pharmacology
Nepetalactone
The route of action of the medicinal uses of catnip is generally unknown. The active chemical in catnip has been identified as the terpene nepetalactone. It is non-polar and often exists as an oil on the surface of the plant. Nepetalactone is most concentrated in the flowers and second most in the leaves, with little concentration in the stem.
In Cats
In cats, nepetalactone increases β-endorphin levels which then activate the μ-opioid receptors, causing cats to rub their bodies in the catnip. It is believed this response is to coat the fur in nepetalactone due to its natural mosquito-repellent properties.
Use Reports
Date: Summer 2024 (?)
Dose & Route of Administration: roughly <0.3g dried catnip flower, smoked
Purpose: Post-nasal drip
This was my first experience with catnip and I do not remember it very clearly. I had smoked a small amount of catnip as I had been experiencing bad post-nasal drip in the previous days and was annoyed, looking for some way to get it over with. The amount that I smoked was likely too small to experience any real effect, but I recall being amazed and remarking at its effectiveness. In hindsight, it was most likely a placebo. I would be interested in trying catnip in this way again when I have post-nasal drip, but properly documented and with a considerably larger dose.