HERB - PDR for Herbal Med: Catnip

[Rauthulfr]

Greetings from Rauthulfr;
In order to give folks an Idea of how the PDR for herbal meds presents 
things, I'll post two extracts.  The first of these is Nepeta cataria.  The 
second will come in a separate post: Melissa officinalis.  I have not 
reproduced the discussion of compounds and references, but I hope this will 
convey the nature of the work without those bits.  With apologies, I'm 
sending these out with formatting.

Nepeta Cataria
Catnip
Description
Medicinal parts:  The medicinal parts are the aerial parts of the plant 
collected during the flowering season.
Flower and fruit:  The inflorescence is spike-like and the verticillasters 
distant from each other.  The small individual flowers are on short 
pedicles.  The bracts are 1.5 to 3 mm and linear-awl-shaped.  The sepals 
are 5 to 6.5 mm long and ovate.  The tips are 1.5 to 2.5 mm long, 
linear-lanceolate and patent.  The corolla is 7 to 10 mm long, is slightly 
longer than the salyx and is white with small purple spots.

Leaves, Stem and Root:  The root of the plant is perennial.  The stems are 
up to 1 m high, angular, erect and branched.  They are leafy grey-pubescent 
to tomentose giving the whole plant a whitish gray appearance.  The leaves 
are 2 to 8 cm, ovate, cordate at the base, crenate or serrate and 
gray-tormentose beneath.  The petiole is 0.5 to 4 cm in length.
Characteristics:  Aromaic, characteristic smell, reminiscent of Mint and 
Pennyroyal.
Habitat:  Indigenous to Europe and naturalized in the U.S.

Production:  Catnip is the aerial part of Nepeta cataria.  The harvesting 
takes place in uncultivated regions.  The drug is manually cut in dry and 
sunny weather conditions.  The woodless parts of the plant are sorted out 
and the material is then left to dry in the shade.
Other Names:  Catnep, Catrup, Catmint, Catswort, Field Balm.

Actions and Pharmacology
(Skipping COMPOUNDS)
EFFECTS
Active agents are bitter and tannin substances, as well as essential 
oil.  Antipyretic, refriterant, relieves cramps, sedative, 
diaphoretic.  The tea has a diuretic effect and increases gallbladder activity.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Colds, colic, also for the treatment of nervous disorders and migraine, 
since preparations from the mint have a calming effect.  It is also used in 
the treatment of gynecological disorders.  Nepeta cataria has a long 
tradition in England and France as a kitchen and medicinal herb and was 
used occasionally as stimulating drink until the introduction of black tea.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper 
administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration:  Orally in ground and dried forms.
Preparation:  To prepare an infusion (tea), add 10 teaspoons per liter of 
water, leave this to stand and draw for 10 minutes.
Daily Dosage:  Drink 2 to 3 cups of the tea daily.
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