Nepeta nepetella
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fe4589883a748287573 |
| Scientific name | Nepeta nepetella |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Syst. Nat. ed. 10 , 2: 1096 (1759) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Ethnobotanical uses: Among the Montenegrin coastal villages of the Adriatic, leaves and flowering tops of Nepeta nepetella have long been gathered for digestive comfort as a mild tea. In the Lake Skadar basin of Albania/Montenegro, village healers prepared a decoction of the aerial parts for feverish colds and “catarrhal” complaints (Janković et al., 2022). In the Pyrenees and Aragon, shepherds infused the herb with warm water as a calming tea before bedtime and made a light tincture for stomach rumbling (Villar et al., 1987). Across western Mediterranean regions, crushed leaves were applied as a poultice for local pain (Pignatti, 1982).
A practical recipe: For a mild, digestive tea, use 2–3 g of dried leaves and flowering tops (about 1 small handful fresh) per 200 ml just‑boiling water. Cover and steep 5–7 minutes, strain, and sip 1 cup after meals. Alternatively, a 1:5 ethanol tincture: macerate 20 g dried plant material in 100 ml 45% ethanol (or high‑proof vodka) for 2 weeks in a dark place, shaking daily, then strain and press; take 10–20 drops in water as needed. Safety: avoid use in pregnancy due to uterine‑stimulating activity reported for Nepeta species; stop if heartburn or skin irritation occurs.
Active constituents: The aerial parts contain nepetalactone-type monoterpenoids (nepetalactone, dihydronepetalactone), along with limonene, caryophyllene, and significant flavonoids such as apigenin and luteolin derivatives (Cunsolo et al., 1989; Gordo et al., 2012).
Modern relevance: Essential‑oil research confirms gastroprotective and spasmolytic actions in related Nepeta species, supporting the traditional use for digestive comfort, while commercially available herbal products remain limited to fresh/dried herb and small‑batch tinctures in local markets.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Essential oil (steam-distilled from aerial parts); perfume/fragrance ingredient for floral and aromatic compositions.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
- Leaves and flowering tops used as a flavoring agent in certain alcoholic liqueurs and beverages (e.g., French liqueurs like Chartreuse); utilized as a culinary herb, particularly in Mediterranean regions, often employed as a condiment or spice.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
- Essential oil employed in perfumery for its fresh, mint-like, herbal, and sometimes camphoraceous aroma; integrated into fragrances for scented products (e.g., soaps, detergents); valued for its distinct nepetalactone-rich profile.
Properties relevant to use:
- Essential oil contains major constituents including nepetalactones (irregular monoterpenoids characteristic of Nepeta), citronellal, and geraniol, imparting characteristic scent and perceived freshness; these compounds enable application as flavoring and perfumery agent.
Standards and regulation:
- Essential oil quality and composition may be assessed under standards such as ISO 3216 (Nepeta essential oil specifications), ensuring consistency of components like nepetalactone isomers for commercial use; usage as a food flavoring and cosmetic ingredient complies with relevant safety and labeling regulations (e.g., EU Flavouring Regulation, IFRA Guidelines, FDA regulations).
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Wild collection occurs in native Mediterranean habitats (e.g., Spain, France, Italy); overharvesting risk noted; commercial supply increasingly supplemented by controlled cultivation to mitigate pressure on wild populations; sustainable harvesting practices recommended to maintain population viability.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Nepeta grandiflora | Mutel | Fl. Dauphiné 2: 343 (1830) |
| Nepeta incana | Aiton | Hort. Kew. 2: 285. 1789 (1789) |
| Nepeta paniculata | Mill. | Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 4 (1768) |
| Nepeta nepetella var. longicaulis | (Dufour) Nyman | Consp. Fl. Eur. 586. 1881 |
| Cataria nepetella | Moench | Methodus : 388 (1794) |
| Nepeta nepetella var. major | Benth. | Labiat. Gen. Spec. 477. 1834 |
| Nepeta nepetella var. humilis | Benth. | Labiat. Gen. Spec. 478. 1834 |
| Nepeta nepetella var. incana | Benth. | Labiat. Gen. Spec. 478. 1834 |
| Nepeta nepetella var. argutidens | Briq. | Lab. Alp. Mar. 366. 1893 |
| Glechoma nepetella | Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 518 (1891) |
| Nepeta lanceolata subsp. nepetella | (L.) Bonnier & Layens | Tabl. Syn. Pl. Vasc. France 251 (1894) |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Nepeta nepetella subsp. aragonensis | (Lam.) Nyman | Consp. Fl. Eur. : 586 (1881) |
| Nepeta nepetella subsp. laciniata | (Willk.) Aedo | Fl. Iber. 12: 462 (2010) |
| Nepeta nepetella subsp. murcica | (Guirao ex Willk.) Aedo | Fl. Iber. 12: 461 (2010) |
| Nepeta nepetella subsp. nepetella | Unknown |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment. |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Morocco
-
Northern Africa
-
Europe click to expand
-
Southeastern Europe
- Italy
-
Southwestern Europe
- France
- Spain
-
Southeastern Europe
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000251187 |
| Tropicos | 17600194 |
| INPN | 109533 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:452609-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-134823 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 482710 |
| Observations.org | 135497 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 1000421 |
| NBN Atlas | NHMSYS0000460962 |
| IPNI | 452609-1 |
| iNaturalist | 480660 |
| GBIF | 7309064 |
| Freebase | /m/010lxdyp |
| EPPO | NEPNP |
| Elurikkus | 586540 |
| USDA GRIN | 25177 |
| Wikipedia | Nepeta_nepetella |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives | |||||
| 2-Phenylethyl Acetate | 7654 | Click to see | 164.20 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acid esters / o-Hydroxybenzoic acid esters | |||||
| Methyl Salicylate | 4133 | Click to see COC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1O | 152.15 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoyl derivatives | |||||
| Benzaldehyde | 240 | Click to see | 106.12 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Phenylacetaldehydes | |||||
| Phenylacetaldehyde | 998 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)CC=O | 120.15 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Branched unsaturated hydrocarbons | |||||
| Ocimene | 6434062 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters | |||||
| Butyl valerate | 61137 | Click to see CCCCC(=O)OCCCC | 158.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Ethyl valerate | 10882 | Click to see | 130.18 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Hex-1-en-1-yl pentanoate | 71406771 | Click to see | 184.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Methyl 2-methylbutyrate | 13357 | Click to see CCC(C)C(=O)OC | 116.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Pentyl valerate | 62433 | Click to see | 172.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters / Fatty acid methyl esters | |||||
| Methyl hexanoate | 7824 | Click to see CCCCCC(=O)OC | 130.18 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohol esters | |||||
| Geranyl Acetate | 1549026 | Click to see | 196.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Geranyl propionate | 5355853 | Click to see | 210.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols | |||||
| 1-Octen-3-Ol | 18827 | Click to see | 128.21 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| beta-OCIMENE, (3E)- | 5281553 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Citral | 638011 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Linalool | 6549 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| P-Cymene | 7463 | Click to see | 134.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| 3-Carene | 26049 | Click to see CC1=CCC2C(C1)C2(C)C | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Beta-Pinene | 14896 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| 1-Isopropyl-4-methylenecyclohexane | 517973 | Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(=C)CC1 | 138.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| 4-Terpineol, (+/-)- | 11230 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Alpha-Terpineol | 17100 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (4Z)-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylidenebicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene | 5322111 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| beta-Farnesene | 5281517 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=C)C=C)C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Caryophyllene | 5281515 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Humulene | 5281520 | Click to see | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| I2-Ionone | 638014 | Click to see | 192.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones | |||||
| (4aR,7R,7aS)-4,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-4aH-cyclopenta[c]pyran-1-one | 12311117 | Click to see | 166.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| 4aalpha,7alpha,7abeta-Nepetalactone | 442430 | Click to see | 166.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Dihydronepetalactone | 519465 | Click to see | 168.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| Nepetalactone | 92770 | Click to see | 166.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Primary alcohols | |||||
| 2-Methyl-1-pentanol | 7745 | Click to see | 102.17 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones | |||||
| 1,2,5,6,7,7a-Hexahydro-4H-inden-4-one | 12452564 | Click to see | 136.19 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Phenylketones / Alkyl-phenylketones | |||||
| Acetophenone | 7410 | Click to see CC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1 | 120.15 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Delta valerolactones | |||||
| Neonepetalactone | 12313200 | Click to see | 166.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyrans / Pyranones and derivatives | |||||
| Dehydronepetalactone | 528332 | Click to see CC1CCC2=C1C(=O)OC=C2C | 164.20 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2007-969632 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |