CATMINT, CATNIP

Latvian: kaķumētra parastā, īstā kaķumētra

German: Echte Katzenminze

Swedish: kattmynta

Estonian: harilik naistenõges

Lithuanian: paprastoji katžolė

Russian: котовник кошачий

Common catmint (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial plant of the mint genus of the

Lilacaceae family with small, pale flowers arranged in spike-shaped inflorescences.

Like other mints, it is fragrant because it contains essential oils. The smell is

reminiscent of mint and lemon, but the aroma is not so strong. A variation of catnip is

also widely known - lemon catnip, which has a

stronger lemon aroma and whose flowers are the same color as the parent species

or darker (purple).

Catnip most likely originated in Eastern Europe, but has been cultivated elsewhere in

Europe for centuries. In the 18th century, colonists also took it to North America.

Today, the plant is relatively widespread and cultivated in Eurasia and North

America. In Latvia, catnip occurs very rarely in the wild - single plants or small

groups on the sides of roads and railways, in places overgrown with weeds. In our

country, it is a cultural refugee - it was grown as a crop in the past, but gradually it

has also strayed into the wild. Blooms from late June to August.

Catnip got its name in connection with its special ability to attract and intoxicate cats,

but it has been used by people in different ways since ancient times for completely

different purposes. Before the introduction of real tea tree leaves from the east,

catnip was widely used in teas. Medicinal herbal tea was also made from the leaves.

Catnip helps against colds, sore throats, bronchitis and asthma. It relieves spasms,so it can be used when suffering from colic, stomach spasms or menstrual pain. In

folk medicine, it was once used even in the treatment of cancer.

Catnip is also used in cooking. In France, the leaves and shoots of this plant are

traditionally used as a spice. Fresh leaves can be added to salads, dried leaves can

be added to soups and when preparing meat dishes. A light yellow dye for dyeing

wool and other fabrics can also be obtained from the plant. Currently, catnip is

widely cultivated in the world as an ornamental plant used for various greenery.

Chemical analysis of leaves and inflorescences revealed that the plant contains

many volatile oils, acids, tannins, sterols. The list of specific chemical compounds

includes, for example, thymol, valerian acid, nepetalactone and others.

Collection time - July, August

Effects - improving digestion, calming, antibacterial, wound healing.

(Material from the archive of Aste magazine)

Augu katalogs ir tapis ar Eiropas Savienības finansiālu atbalstu Pārrobežu sadarbības programmas 2014.–2020. gadam projekta LVIII-062 “Versts of Feelings 2” ietvaros