Nepeta

Nepeta, commonly known as catmint, is a versatile perennial herb celebrated for its aromatic foliage and delicate lavender flowers. Belonging to the mint family, it is widely used in landscaping to attract pollinators and in traditional herbalism for its calming, soothing properties and mild medicinal benefits in wellness practices.

  • Scientific name: Nepeta
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, falling into the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, the medicinal species is categorized under the genus Nepeta.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Nepeta WCVP

Distribution

This plant is naturally distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence extends to the territory of Great Britain. The species is also well-documented throughout Norway. Finally, it completes its regional range within the borders of Sweden.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Hungary WCVP

Chemicals

Nepeta has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-cineole, apigenin, caffeic acid, cirsimaritin, gallic acid.

Total chemicals
15
Scientific sources
15

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
1,8-cineole 1 ★☆☆☆☆
apigenin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
caffeic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cirsimaritin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gallic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
germacrene D 1 ★☆☆☆☆
iridoid aglycones 1 ★☆☆☆☆
iridoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
linalool 1 ★☆☆☆☆
luteolin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Nepeta has 11 reported activities identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Anticancer, Anticonvulsant.

Total activities
11
Scientific sources
18

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antimicrobial 4 ★★☆☆☆
Antioxidant 4 ★★☆☆☆
Analgesic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticonvulsant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidepressant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiparasitic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Nepeta has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, bronchitis, chicken pox, coughs, dermatitis.

Total uses
14
Scientific sources
14

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
asthma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bronchitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chicken pox 1 ★☆☆☆☆
coughs 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dermatitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gastritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
infections 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
influenza 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆