Catnip

Description

Nepeta cataria, known as catnip, is a herbaceous perennial of good ornamental value whose clumps, because of the strong scent they give off, are much loved by bees and by cats, which usually lie down on them. This herb is common in northern Italy; N. mussinii, that is, catmint, is common throughout the peninsula and in Sicily, and can be grown successfully in pots, even indoors.

Stem

The stems of N. cataria are erect, with a square section, branched. They can reach as much as one metre in height; they too give off the mint aroma typical of the species. The stems of N. mussinii, on the other hand, grow to only about forty centimetres.

Leaves

Acute oval, opposite, that is, arranged in pairs along the stems, with sharply toothed margins, of a green tending to grey, such are the leaves of N. cataria, whose smell cats like so much but which drives mice away. Those of catmint are the same in shape and arrangement, smaller in size, and form very compact clumps.

Flowers

The flowers of N. cataria are white or pale pink, gathered like those of the nepitella, which are instead lavender-blue in colour, to form small apical spikes. They appear from late spring until autumn and are particularly attractive to bees.

Exposure

These plants like both a sunny position and one in half shade.

Propagation

Sowing can be done in spring, preferably directly in the ground, since, if the plants are moved, the aroma released by any broken roots attracts cats, which wreck the seedlings. The clumps can also be divided in spring. Once growth has resumed, it is time to take any cuttings.

Growth

It is best to leave about thirty centimetres of open ground between one clump and the next, so when sowing it is usually necessary to thin out the young seedlings.

Harvesting

The leaves and flowers of Nepeta should be picked during the flowering period.

Storage

The whole plant is stored in tightly closed containers after being dried.

Properties

IN THE KITCHEN: The most tender shoots can be added to mixed salads. Cataria leaves are used to flavour meat, especially pork; and catmint leaves to flavour fish dishes and vegetables, especially mushrooms and artichokes.

Beauty

Yarrow counteracts the skin's tendency to redden and couperose; to obtain a toner with these properties, leave yarrow flowers and leaves to infuse for half an hour in half a litre of water, soak a piece of gauze in the infusion and then apply it to the skin of the face for a quarter of an hour.

Health

Nepeta is an effective medicinal plant, its infusion is a mild sedative, like valerian, and it is traditionally drunk to promote sleep. It can be useful in treating infant colic, headaches caused by poor digestion, and also for colds, it is also taken to soothe coughs and in feverish states. Catmint