Nepeta Cataria
Catnip is a traditional herbal-tea ingredient with mild sedative effects in humans. Safety information is limited; case reports describe sedation, GI upset, and uterotonic effects, so use during pregnancy is generally cautioned against.
What it is
Catnip (Nepeta cataria); plant of the mint family used in herbal teas and traditional medicine.
Herbal-tea ingredient; essentially not a mainstream food.
Why it's flagged
- sedation
- uterotonic effects (avoid in pregnancy)
- limited human safety data
What regulators actually say
"NCCIH 'Herbs at a Glance' summarizes available human safety information for traditional botanicals."
"Reviews of Nepeta cataria describe its sedative and uterotonic constituents and limited modern human safety data."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Not listed as a food additive; sold as an herbal supplement subject to DSHEA.
European Union — EFSA
Not on EU positive list of food additives; herbal use only.
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