Nepeta cataria

catnip

Drug slang
Regional street argot for a joint (marijuana cigarette).

Herbal medicine
A perennial that contains volatile oils (carvecrol, citronellol, geraniol, nepetallactones, nepetol, thymol and tannins); it is antidiarrhoeal, antipyretic, carminative, diaphoretic, sedative, stomachic and tonic. Catnip has been used as an enema for colicky infants, topically for cuts, and internally for colds, flu, viral infections in children, “nervous stomach”, nervous headache and menstrual cramps.
 
Toxicity
It should not be used in pregnancy or in young children.

Veterinary medicine
A perennial that has a stimulant effect on cats.

Nepeta cataria,

n See catnip.

Nepeta

a genus of plants in the family Labiatae.

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Nepeta hederacea

causes pulmonary edema and enteritis in horses. Called also Glechoma hederacea, ground ivy.

Nepeta cataria

see catnip.