Zone: Inner Walkway (The Kitchen Pharmacy)

Season of Interest: Late Spring to Late Summer (May – September)

The Doctor’s Notes (Medicinal Use)

Dr. Woodward would have viewed Catnip as one of the most reliable "domestic medicines" for children and delicate patients.

• Fever Fighter: Catnip tea was a standard 19th-century treatment to induce sweating (diaphoretic), helping to break a fever during a cold or flu.

• Colic and Digestion: It was the go-to remedy for infant colic and general flatulence. Its gentle nature made it safe for even the youngest members of the Woodward household.

• Sleep Aid: Much like Lavender, a strong infusion of Catnip was used as a mild sedative to treat insomnia and restlessness.

The Household Assistant (Homestead Use)

Catnip’s utility extended from the cradle to the kitchen and even the barn:

• The "Nervous" Tea: Before modern stress relief, "Catnip Tea" was a common afternoon drink for those suffering from nervous headaches or "the vapors."

• Culinary Herb: Though less common now, 19th-century cooks sometimes used the leaves to rub on meats or added them to savory sauces for a subtle, mint-like flavor.

• Pest Control: Interestingly, while it attracts cats, the nepetalactone in the plant is a natural repellent for mosquitoes, flies, and even cockroaches—useful for keeping a 19th-century kitchen clear of pests.

Botanist’s Corner

• Form: A robust, sprawling perennial that can grow up to 3 feet tall. Like all members of the mint family, it has distinctly square stems.

• Foliage: Heart-shaped, grayish-green leaves with deeply scalloped edges and a soft, downy texture.

• Flowers: Produces small, two-lipped white flowers spotted with purple on dense spikes. It is a favorite of honeybees and predatory wasps that help protect the rest of the garden from harmful insects.

Fun Fact: The name Nepeta likely comes from the ancient Etruscan city of Nepi, where the plant was famously cultivated long before it reached American shores.