CATNIP - NEPETA CATARIA

Date

January 30, 2026

Proper name(s), Common name(s), Source information

References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Common names: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: Hoffmann 2003; BHP 1983.

Route of Administration

Oral

Dosage Form(s)

This monograph excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of Monographs Guidance Document.

Acceptable dosage forms for oral use are indicated in the dosage form drop-down list of the web-based Product Licence Application form for Compendial applications.

Use(s) or Purpose(s)

• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as an antispasmodic) to help relieve digestive spasms and (as a carminative to help relieve) indigestion/flatulent dyspepsia (Hoffmann 2003; BHP 1983; Felter and Lloyd 1983; Grieve 1971).
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as a diaphoretic) to help relieve feverish conditions by inducing sweating (Hoffmann 2003; Felter and Lloyd 1983).
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve restlessness and/or nervousness (nervine/calmative) (Hoffmann 2003; Williamson 2003; BHP 1983; Grieve 1971).
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as an astringent) to help relieve diarrhea (Hoffmann 2003; Williamson 2003; Moerman 1998; Mills 1985; BHP 1983).

Notes

• The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve digestive spasms, indigestion and diarrhea).
• For multi-ingredient products:
  • To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific medicinal ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Catnip is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as an astringent to help relieve diarrhea).
  • When ALL of the medicinal ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.

Dose(s)

Subpopulation(s)

Adults 18 years or older

Quantity(ies)

Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)

1.2 - 12 grams of dried herb top, per day (Hoffmann 2003; Williamson 2003; Mills 1985; BHP 1983).

*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation "Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract)" as part of this monograph are ethanol and/or water only.

Direction(s) for use

No statement required.

Duration(s) of Use

No statement required.

Risk Information

Caution(s) and warning(s)

• Ask a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician if symptoms persist or worsen.
• Ask a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician before use if you are breastfeeding.

Contraindication(s)

Do not use if you are pregnant (Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Brinker 2010).

Known adverse reaction(s)

No statement required.

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID) and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Storage conditions

Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the Natural Health Products Regulations.

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) Quality of Natural Health Products Guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the NHPID.

EXAMPLE OF PRODUCT FACTS:

Consult the Guidance Document, Labelling of Natural Health Products for more details.

References cited

• BHP 1983: British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Cowling (UK): British Herbal Medical Association; 1983.
• Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 4^th edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2001.
• Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory, Volume 1, 18^th edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 1983 [Reprint of 1898 original].
• Gardner Z, McGuffin M, editors. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. 2^nd edition. Boca Ration (FL): Taylor and Francis Group; 2013.
• Grieve M. A Modern Herbal, Volume 1. New York (NY): Dover Publications; 1971 [Reprint of 1931 Harcourt, Brace & Company publication].
• Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester (VT): Healing Arts Press; 2003.
• Mills S. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. Wellingborough (UK): Thorsons Publishers Ltd; 1985.
• Moerman DE. Native American Ethnobotany. Portland (OR): Timber Press; 1998.
• USDA 2024: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) - Global. U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. [Accessed 2024 August 23]. Available from: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch
• Williamson EM. Potter's Herbal Cyclopaedia: The Authoritative Reference work on Plants with a Known Medical Use. Saffron Walden (UK): The C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 2003.

References reviewed

• Williamson EM, Evans FJ, Wren RC. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Saffron Walden (UK): C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 1988.
• Wren RC. Potter's Cyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. London (UK): Potter and Clark; 1907.

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