Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Catnip vs Speedwell
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
Catnip and Speedwell: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, indigestion, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Catnip | Speedwell | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Bloating | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Respiratory support | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 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
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
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
Traditional & Indicated Uses
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
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional expectorant for cough and respiratory complaints (iridoid glycosides inhibit lung inflammation) - a standardised extract suppressed COX-2 and eotaxin via the NF-kB pathway in human lung epithelial cells
Mild digestive / stomach tonic (indigestion)
Traditional expectorant for cough and respiratory complaints (iridoid glycosides inhibit lung inflammation) - a standardised extract suppressed COX-2 and eotaxin via the NF-kB pathway in human lung epithelial cells
inferred from expectorant action
Soothing for skin irritation (topical)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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).
Traditional use only; clinical evidence is limited, so a persistent cough or digestive complaint needs medical assessment. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established.
External Ids
Botanical Description
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]
Low, creeping, mat-forming perennial herb with softly hairy, oval, finely toothed leaves along trailing stems that root as they spread. Small, pale lilac-blue flowers with darker veining are borne in slender upright spikes rising from the leaf axils.[8]
Habitat
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]
Grows on dry heath, moorland, open woodland, grassland and banks on acidic, well-drained soils; native to Europe and naturalised in North America.[8]
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer while in flower and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place; the closely related Veronica chamaedrys is a frequent adulterant, so careful identification (or a reputable source) is important.[8]
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]
Speedwell has a long European folk history as a mild digestive tonic and traditional expectorant for cough and respiratory complaints, and has also been used topically as a soothing wash for irritated skin; modern research on its iridoid glycosides supports a molecular basis for the traditional respiratory use.
Preparations
Dosage
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.
Not documented
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- 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
- Mocan, A., Vodnar, D.C., Vlase, L., Crisan, O. and others (2015) 'Phytochemical Characterization of Veronica officinalis L., V. teucrium L. and V. orchidea Crantz from Romania and Their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(9), pp. 21109-21127. doi:10.3390/ijms160921109 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms160921109 - Crisan, G., Tamas, M., Miclaus, V., Krausz, T. and others (2007) 'A comparative study of some Veronica species', Revista Medico-Chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Iasi, 111(1), pp. 280-284. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20comparative%20study%20of%20some%20Veronica%20species - Korzhikova, E.B (1991) 'Speedwell (Veronica officinalis)', Feldsher i Akusherka, 56(2), pp. 37-39. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Speedwell%20%28Veronica%20officinalis%29 - Scarlat, M., Sandor, V., Tamas, M. and Cuparencu, B (1985) 'Experimental anti-ulcer activity of Veronica officinalis L. extracts', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 13(2), pp. 157-163. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(85)90003-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(85)90003-0 - Wojcik, E (1973) 'Phytochemical studies of the Veronica officinalis L', Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 30(2), pp. 195-201. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4703978/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4703978/ - Wojcik, E (1977) 'Occurrence of 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-glucoside in the herb of Veronica officinalis L', Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 34(3), pp. 295-298. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/906876/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/906876/ - Bellia, G. and Pieroni, A (2015) 'Isolated, but transnational: the glocal nature of Waldensian ethnobotany, Western Alps, NW Italy', Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 11, pp. 37. doi:10.1186/s13002-015-0027-1 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-015-0027-1 - (2017) 'Veronica officinalis Product Authentication Using DNA Metabarcoding and HPLC-MS Reveals Widespread Adulteration with Veronica chamaedrys', Frontiers in Pharmacology. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00378 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00378 - Wojcik, E (1973) 'Flavonoids of the Veronica officinalis L. herb', Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 30(4), pp. 447-451. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4762340/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4762340/ - Salehi, B., Shivaprasad Shetty, M., V. Anil Kumar, N., Zivkovic, J., Calina, D., Oana Docea, A. and others (2019) 'Veronica Plants - Drifting from Farm to Traditional Healing, Food Application, and Phytopharmacology', Molecules, 24(13), pp. 2454. doi:10.3390/molecules24132454 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24132454 - HerbaZest (n.d.) 'Veronica (Speedwell)'. Available at: https://www.herbazest.com/herbs/veronica Traditional / reference
https://www.herbazest.com/herbs/veronica - Grundemann, C., Garcia-Kaufer, M., Sauer, B., Stangenberg, E., Konczol, M., Merfort, I., Zehl, M. and Huber, R (2012) 'Traditionally used Veronica officinalis inhibits proinflammatory mediators via the NF-kB signalling pathway in a human lung cell line', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 145(1), pp. 118--126. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.10.039 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.10.039
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.