Catnip

Family: Lamiaceae

Botanical name: Clinopodium nepeta

Also known as:

Lesser Calamint, Corsican Marjoram; Corsican name: Nepita

Origin:

Mediterranean Basin and Asia Minor

Part of the plant distilled: Flowering aerial parts

ORIGINS & HISTORY OF Catnip

When you're walking in the Corsican mountains, it's not uncommon for your nose to be drawn to the minty scent of Nepita, the island cousin of marjoram.

Like all aromatics, it's known for its digestive properties. Its dried leaves are therefore widely used in cooking to flavor dishes, pizzas, and also in infusions, again to aid digestion. Rarely distilled, Nepita essential oil is quite uncommon. As a result, therapists who use or study it are also rare. So there's still a lot to learn about it.

What we already know about it is that it acts on the hepatobiliary and digestive systems, but also on the ENT sphere. For example, it's known for its sternutatory (anti-sneezing) properties.

Due to its neurotoxic nature and the limited knowledge we currently have about this essential oil, we primarily recommend it for the domestic uses described below.

Its scent, so well described by Christian Escriva, is similar to that of peppermint, with wilder, dustier notes.

The virtues of essential oil of Catnip

Propriétés thérapeutiques

Digestive and hepatic system ENT system (sneezing)

Indications fréquentes

Bad smells in the house

HOW TO USE Catnip ESSENTIAL OIL

Brief summary of the main indications & uses cited by our reference authors*

This does not replace consultation with a doctor or aromatherapy pharmacist, who alone can provide personalized advice.

We have compiled here some useful everyday formulas.

If you are interested in them, we advise you to refer directly to the books.

The authors compile their recipes there, as well as their detailed advice and explanations.

1mL = 25 drops
EO = Essential Oil
VO = Vegetable Oil
MO = Macerated Oil

Precautions for use of the essential oil of Catnip

Internal use for therapist only
Not for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women

Neurotoxic
Allergens: limonene, linalool, neral, citronellol.

Essential Oils are powerful and complex substances that must be handled with care!

If you're new to aromatherapy, don't hesitate to consult our advice page and seek guidance from a professional (specialist pharmacist or therapist) who alone can provide personalized advice – these indications do not replace a consultation.