Biological Characteristics, Nutritional and Medicinal
Value of Catnip, Nepeta cataria
Kit L. Chin1, Yadong Qi2, Mila Berhane3 and James E. Simon4
Scientists at Southern University are collaborating with Dr. James E. Simon
of Rutgers University to investigate the feasibility of growing catnip
(Nepeta cataria L.) in Louisiana. The purpose of this project is to evaluate
the performance of catnip as a niche market herb under Louisiana weather
conditions. This bulletin presents the basic information on biological
characteristics, food use and medicinal values of catnip.
1Professor, Plant and Soil Science Program, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA
2Professor, Urban Forestry Program, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA
3Research Associate, Plant and Soil Science Program, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA
4Professor, New Use Agricultural and Natural Plant Natural Products Program, Rutgers
University, New Brunswick, NJ
Introduction
Catnip, native to dry regions of the Mediterranean, Europe, Asia, Eurasia and Africa, was introduced to America by the early settlers as a garden herb, and was later naturalized in North America. Catnip has been used for ornamental and culinary purposes as well as a domestic folk-medicine remedy.
Botanical description
Catnip shares the same family with mint plant. It is a perennial herb that has square stem, opposite leaf arrangement. It bears many small purple-spotted white or pale lavender tubular flowers, which are tightly clustered at the end of the floral branches. The plant can grow up to about 3 feet high and blooms in summer. The leaves are heart-shaped with scalloped edges ranging from grey green to green color and are often crowded toward the top of
the plant. The plant can be propagated from seeds or from root divisions.