Evidence supporting the use of: Catnip
For the health condition: Stress

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly as a mild sedative and calming agent. Historically, catnip was brewed as a tea in Europe and North America to help alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and insomnia in humans. Folk medicine sources often suggested its use for soothing the nerves, promoting relaxation, and easing tension and irritability. The calming effect is attributed to its volatile compounds, especially nepetalactone, which is better known for its stimulating effects on cats but is thought to have a mild sedative effect in humans.

However, the scientific evidence supporting catnip’s efficacy in reducing stress in humans is limited. Most modern research has focused on its effects on cats, and only a handful of studies have explored its impact on the human nervous system. Some animal studies and in vitro research suggest that catnip may exert mild calming or anxiolytic effects, but robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. As a result, while catnip continues to be used in some herbal traditions to support stress relief, the strength of evidence supporting its use is low. Its use for stress is therefore justified primarily by tradition rather than by solid scientific validation.

More about catnip
More about Stress

Other ingredients used for Stress

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
7-Keto-DHEA
acetyl l-carnitine
alpha-pinene
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
sesame
black tea
bonito peptide
bupleurum falcatum
California poppy
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cordyceps
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
dong quai root
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish protein
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gardenia
gotu kola
green tea
guayusa
heartwood
hibiscus
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-ornithine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus helveticus
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lavender
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
magnolia
matcha
melatonin
mint
motherwort
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
oat
passionflower
peppermint oil
perilla
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
pine bark
polygala root
pregnenolone
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
rose oil
saffron
sceletium
black ginger
skullcap
spearmint leaf
spinach
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
mulberry
whole adrenal glandular
zinc
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
catnip
cardamom
anise
fumaria parviflora
bee pollen
lingzhi
kanna
silk tree
oriental arborvitae
anemarrhena asphodeloides
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
noni
wood betony
biota seed
goji berry
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aralia
Arjuna
akebia
Antler
Agastache
Agrimony
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Arginine aspartate
Albizia
Anserina
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Algal protein
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Black spruce
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Basidiomycota
Banyan
Brahmi
Bacopa
Buddha's Hand
Borage
banana
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
bacoside
Baicalin
Bird's nest
Centella triterpenes
Common Monkey Flower
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Codonopsis
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Chinese Fleeceflower
Chuchuhuasi
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Catuaba
C-Phycocyanin
cypress
Cowslip
Calamus
Cherimoya
Convolvulus prostratus
Corydalis
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Canscora
Dismutase
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Devil's Club
Date
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Eplotab
Erythrina
Emblicanin
Eurycoma Longifolia
Fo-Ti
Fragrant Rosewood
Ficus religiosa
Fish
Frankincense
Flavones
Goldthread
Gelsemium
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
gum
Galactooligosaccharides
Glycine
Gastrodin
jasmine
Lotus
Mistletoe
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Pistachio
Rose
Spikenard
yohimbine