Clinopodium nepeta
Clinopodium nepeta, commonly known as catnip or catmint, is a versatile perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Renowned for its aromatic leaves and delicate flowers, this plant offers significant medicinal value, traditionally used to soothe digestive issues, reduce anxiety, and promote restful sleep through its natural sedative properties.
- Scientific name: Clinopodium nepeta
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Its taxonomic lineage continues through the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, placing it in the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified under the specific genus Clinopodium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Clinopodium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Clinopodium nepeta, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Finnish, it is called kivikkomäkiminttu, while in Catalan, it is known as Calamintha nepeta. Its names in Arabic and Persian are فوذنج جبلي and زیبانعنای دارویی, respectively, and in Czech, it is commonly called marulka šantovitá.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fi | kivikkomäkiminttu | Wikidata |
| ca | Calamintha nepeta | Wikidata |
| ar | فوذنج جبلي | Wikidata |
| cs | marulka šantovitá | Wikidata |
| fa | زیبانعنای دارویی | Wikidata |
| sr | Дивљи босиљак | Wikidata |
| az | Calamintha nepeta | Wikidata |
| hsb | Lěkarski płónčik | Wikidata |
| nap | Calamintha nepeta | Wikidata |
| gl | Nébeda | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found growing in the landscapes of Austria. The species also inhabits the territories of both Czechia and Slovakia. Finally, its geographical range extends through Germany and Hungary.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Clinopodium nepeta, derives its primary medicinal value from its essential oil, which is typically extracted from the aromatic leaves and flowering tops. This volatile oil contains a complex mixture of chemical compounds, such as pulegone and menthone, that contribute to the plant's characteristic scent and therapeutic properties. Because the essential oil is concentrated within the glandular trichomes of the foliage, it serves as the most potent part of the plant for applications involving antimicrobial, antispasmodic, or calming effects.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Clinopodium nepeta has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, dihydrocarvone, hesperidin, narirutin, neoisomenthol.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| apigenin-7-O-glucuronide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydrocarvone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hesperidin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| narirutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neoisomenthol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pulegone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Clinopodium nepeta has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hemorrhagic disorders.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hemorrhagic disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |