Plant Comparison
Eyebright vs Catnip
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Eyebright and Catnip: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, infection (general), inflammation (general), …); 1 pharmacological action in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Eyebright | Catnip | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Respiratory support | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Wounds | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Give the plant its anti-inflammatory action on irritated tissue.
The characteristic volatile iridoid responsible for the cat-attractant effect and studied for sedative, antimicrobial and insect-repellent activity.
Rich in nepetalactone isomers along with other monoterpenes; studied for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Astringent and anti-inflammatory for eye irritation, redness and conjunctivitis (traditional, as an eye compress or bath) - an open prospective cohort of Euphrasia single-dose eye drops reported recovery or clear improvement in most patients with conjunctivitis
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Eases eye strain and watery, itchy eyes from allergy (hay fever / allergic conjunctivitis)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
Soothes upper-respiratory catarrh and mild infection (traditional)
Astringent and anti-inflammatory for eye irritation, redness and conjunctivitis (traditional, as an eye compress or bath) - an open prospective cohort of Euphrasia single-dose eye drops reported recovery or clear improvement in most patients with conjunctivitis; Eases eye strain and watery, itchy eyes from allergy (hay fever / allergic conjunctivitis)
Eases eye strain and watery, itchy eyes from allergy (hay fever / allergic conjunctivitis)
Soothes upper-respiratory catarrh and mild infection (traditional)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Soothes upper-respiratory catarrh and mild infection (traditional)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
CRITICAL: do not put non-sterile, homemade eyebright preparations directly into the eye - this risks serious eye infection. Use only commercially prepared sterile products in the eye, or apply a strained, cooled infusion as a compress over closed eyelids.
Traditional use only; persistent eye symptoms, pain, discharge or vision change need assessment by an eye-care professional. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established.
Pregnancy: Do not use (traditional concern around stimulating menstruation/uterus) (Health Canada, n.d.). Breastfeeding: Health Canada advises talk to a healthcare professional first (Health Canada, n.d.). Kids: It’s often described as a “gentle” traditional tea, but large amounts are not a good idea—there’s a published case where a toddler became very sleepy/“slowed down” after consuming a lot. Keep catnip tea away from toddlers unless a clinician advises it (Osterhoudt et al., 1997). Sedatives / alcohol: Catnip can be calming, so don’t stack it with other sedating herbs/sleep meds/alcohol (you could get extra drowsy) (WebMD, n.d.a). Essential oil caution: Catnip essential oil is concentrated. Research notes it may cause mild skin irritation for some people—always dilute, patch test, and never treat it like “tea.” (Reichert et al., 2019)
Duke (2002) describes catnip primarily as a sedative, diaphoretic, and emmenagogue with experimental (score 1) support. It has demonstrated uterotonic and oxytocic activity, making it contraindicated in pregnancy. The active compounds include nepetalactone and iridoids. Catnip is classified as a mild nervine and antispasmodic in traditional North American herbal medicine, though clinical trials are lacking. Due to its emmenagogue and uterotonic properties, medicinal-dose use should be avoided during pregnancy (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Small, semi-parasitic annual herb (drawing some nutrients from the roots of neighbouring grasses) with tiny, opposite, toothed leaves and delicate, two-lipped white to pale lilac flowers marked with purple veins and a yellow throat spot, giving a bright, eye-like appearance that inspired both its common and Latin names.[11]
Perennial herb, 30-100 cm tall, with greyish-green, downy, square stems typical of the mint family. Leaves are opposite, triangular-ovate with scalloped or toothed margins, grey-green above and softly felted (whitish) beneath, releasing a minty-lemony aroma when crushed. Small white flowers, spotted with purple or pink, are borne in dense terminal and axillary spikes. Nepetalactone, the volatile compound famous for its effect on cats, is concentrated in glandular hairs on the leaves and stems.[9]
Habitat
Grows in short, unimproved grassland, pastures, meadows and dunes on well-drained soils, always in association with grasses on which it partially parasitises; native to Europe.[11]
Native to Europe and temperate Asia and widely naturalised in North America; grows on disturbed, sunny ground - roadsides, waste places, hedgebanks and dry, calcareous or well-drained soils.[9]
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer while in flower and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[11]
Traditional Uses
Catnip has a long North American and European folk-medicine history as a mild sedative/nervine, diaphoretic (fever-reducing, sweat-promoting) remedy, carminative digestive and traditional emmenagogue; it was also given as a children's tea for colic and restlessness, though large amounts are not advised for young children and it is traditionally avoided in pregnancy.[9]
Preparations
Strained, cooled infusion applied as a compress over closed eyelids, or used (only when sterile, commercially prepared) as an eyewash for irritated or red eyes.
Commercially prepared, sterile Euphrasia eye drops used for conjunctivitis; a prospective clinical cohort found improvement in most users.
Dosage
No dose is given here because no official posology exists. The HMPC assessed eyebright and DECLINED to establish a herbal monograph, concluding that the efficacy of the claimed uses is undocumented and that external eye application of ex tempore (home-prepared) preparations is 'not hygienic and not safe', so therapeutic use cannot be recommended. Traditional sources describe a strained, cooled infusion used as a compress, but that is precisely the practice the HMPC advised against; nothing home-prepared should be put in or on the eye. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph gives 1.2-12 g of dried herb top per day for adults 18 years and older, with infusion among the accepted methods of preparation. Educational reference only, not a prescription. Keep away from toddlers and young children beyond very small amounts, and avoid medicinal-dose use in pregnancy.
References
Lookalikes Review
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
References & Sources
- Novy, P., Davidova, H., Serrano-Rojero, C.S., Rondevaldova, J. et al (2015) 'Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne Essential Oil', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, pp. 734101. doi:10.1155/2015/734101 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/734101 - D'Ambrosio, M., Ciocarlan, A. and Aricu, A (2020) 'Minor acetylated metabolites from Euphrasia rostkoviana', Natural Product Research, 34(2), pp. 290-295. doi:10.1080/14786419.2018.1530227 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2018.1530227 - Ververis, A., Kyriakou, S., Paraskeva, H., Panayiotidis, M.I. et al (2024) 'Chemical Characterization and Assessment of the Neuroprotective Potential of Euphrasia officinalis', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(23), pp. 12902. doi:10.3390/ijms252312902 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312902 - Meier-Girard, D., Gerstenberg, G., Stoffel, L., Kohler, T., Klein, S.D., Eschenmoser, M., Mitter, V.R., Nelle, M. and Wolf, U (2020) 'Euphrasia eye drops in preterm neonates with ocular discharge: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial', Frontiers in Pediatrics, 8, pp. 449. doi:10.3389/fped.2020.00449 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2020.00449 - Liu, Y., Hwang, E., Ngo, H.T.T., Perumalsamy, H., Kim, Y.J., Li, L. and Yi, T.H (2018) 'Protective effects of Euphrasia officinalis extract against ultraviolet B-induced photoaging in normal human dermal fibroblasts', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(11), pp. 3327. doi:10.3390/ijms19113327 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19113327 - Porchezhian, E., Ansari, S.H. and Shreedharan, N.K (2000) 'Antihyperglycemic activity of Euphrasia officinale leaves', Fitoterapia, 71(5), pp. 522-526. doi:10.1016/s0367-326x(00)00204-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0367-326x(00)00204-5 - Sticher, O. and Salama, O (1981) 'Iridoid glucosides from Euphrasia rostkoviana', Planta Medica, 42(6), pp. 122-123. doi:10.1055/s-2007-971584 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-971584 - Lorenz, P., Knittel, D.N., Conrad, J., Lotter, E.M., Heilmann, J., Stintzing, F.C. and Kammerer, D.R (2016) '1-Acetyl-3-[(3R)-hydroxyfatty acyl]glycerols: lipid compounds from Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne and E. tetraquetra (Breb.) Arrond', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 13(5), pp. 602-612. doi:10.1002/cbdv.201500233 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.201500233 - Gawenda-Kempczynska, D., Olech, M., Balcerek, M., Nowak, R., Zaluski, T. and Zaluski, D (2022) 'Phenolic acids as chemotaxonomic markers able to differentiate the Euphrasia species', Phytochemistry, 203, pp. 113342. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113342 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113342 - Benedec, D., Oniga, I., Hanganu, D., Vlase, A.M., Ielciu, I., Crisan, G., Fit, N., Niculae, M., Bab, T., Pall, E. and Vlase, L (2024) 'Revealing the Phenolic Composition and the Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Activities of Two Euphrasia sp. Extracts', Plants, 13(13), pp. 1790. doi:10.3390/plants13131790 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13131790 - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis): Benefits, Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/eyebright/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/eyebright/ - Paduch, R. and colleagues (2014) 'Assessment of Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis L.) Extract Activity in Relation to Human Corneal Cells Using In Vitro Tests'. doi:10.5152/balkanmedj.2014.8377 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.5152/balkanmedj.2014.8377 - Stoss, M., Michels, C., Peter, E., Beutke, R. and Gorter, R.W (2000) 'Prospective cohort trial of Euphrasia single-dose eye drops in conjunctivitis', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 6(6), pp. 499--508. doi:10.1089/acm.2000.6.499 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2000.6.499 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2010) 'Public statement on Euphrasia officinalis L. and Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne, herba'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-public-statement-euphrasia-officinalis-l-and-euphrasia-rostkoviana-hayne-herba_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-public-statement-euphrasia-officinalis-l-and-euphrasia-rostkoviana-hayne-herba_en.pdf
- Geissler, M., Neubauer, C., Sheludko, Y.V. and Warzecha, H (2024) 'Nepeta cataria L. (catnip) can serve as a chassis for the engineering of secondary metabolic pathways', Biotechnology Letters, 46(5), pp. 843-850. doi:10.1007/s10529-024-03489-w Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-024-03489-w - Lockhart, A., Simon, J.E. and Wu, Q (2024) 'Stability study of Nepeta cataria iridoids analyzed by LC/MS', Phytochemical Analysis, 35(7), pp. 1674-1687. doi:10.1002/pca.3410 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.3410 - Nadeem, A., Shahzad, H., Ahmed, B., Muntean, T. and others (2022) 'Phytochemical profiling of antimicrobial and potential antioxidant plant: Nepeta cataria', Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, pp. 969316. doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.969316 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.969316 - Tan, J., Li, J., Ma, J. and Qiao, F (2019) 'Hepatoprotective effect of essential oils of Nepeta cataria L. on acetaminophen-induced liver dysfunction', Bioscience Reports, 39(8), pp. BSR20190697. doi:10.1042/BSR20190697 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20190697 - Mollova, S., Dzhurmanski, A., Fidan, H., Bojilov, D. and others (2023) 'Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Nepeta cataria L. Cultivated in Bulgaria and Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity', ACS Omega, 8(17), pp. 15441-15449. doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c00704 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c00704 - Reichert, W., Ejercito, J., Guda, T., Dong, X. and others (2019) 'Repellency Assessment of Nepeta cataria Essential Oils and Isolated Nepetalactones on Aedes aegypti', Scientific Reports, 9(1), pp. 1524. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-36814-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36814-1 - Tiwari, G., Chaturvedi, T., Gupta, A.K., Lal, R.K. and others (2023) 'Assessment of Genetic Diversity, Micromorphology and Antimicrobial Activity in Nepeta cataria L', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 20(2), pp. e202200241. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202200241 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202200241 - Giarratana, F., Muscolino, D., Ziino, G., Lo Presti, V. and others (2017) 'Activity of Catmint (Nepeta cataria) essential oil against Anisakis larvae', Tropical Biomedicine, 34(1), pp. 22-31. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33592976/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33592976/ - Sarkar, M., Rashmi, R., Vikramaditya and Varma, P.N (1995) 'Pharmacognosy of Nepeta cataria', Ancient Science of Life, 14(4), pp. 225-234. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22556702/ Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22556702/ - Bernardi, M.M., Kirsten, T.B., Lago, J.H.G., Giovani, T.M. and Massoco, C.O (2011) 'Nepeta cataria L. var. citriodora (Becker) increases penile erection in rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 137(3), pp. 1318-1322. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.061 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.061 - Health Canada, Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (2026) 'Natural Health Product Monograph: Catnip - Nepeta cataria'. Available at: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_catnip_english.pdf Traditional / reference
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_catnip_english.pdf - British Herbal Medicine Association (1983) 'British Herbal Pharmacopoeia'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=British%20Herbal%20Pharmacopoeia - Gilani, A.H., Shah, A.J., Zubair, A., Khalid, S., Kiani, J., Ahmed, A., Rasheed, M. and Ahmad, V.U (2009) 'Chemical composition and mechanisms underlying the spasmolytic and bronchodilatory properties of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L', 121(3), pp. 405--411. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.004 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.004 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.