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Dietary supplement

Catnip Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbs Etc.

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Catnip is a dietary supplement by Herbs Etc. with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for sleep and insomnia, anxiety and stress, digestive upset.Based on those ingredients, 248 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are fresh Catnip. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Catnip by Herbs Etc.

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 1 active ingredient.

This product contains one active ingredient: fresh catnip leaf in liquid form. The liquid itself is made with grain alcohol (40%) and purified water to extract and preserve the herb.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Catnip product and its label doesn't state a use — see Catnip's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for catnip doesn't yet support its use for any of the purposes it's traditionally claimed to help — including anxiety, tension headaches, upper respiratory infections, indigestion, or irregular periods. Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence for all of these uses, so we can't tell you whether it actually works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Catnip

How safe is it?

Some data gaps
Safety Information · database check
Some gaps

Safety data exists for these ingredients, but with some important gaps.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 0 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

When used in small amounts, catnip is generally well-tolerated in most adults, though human safety data are limited. The most common side effects from oral use are headache, nausea, vomiting, and general malaise.

Large amounts can cause stomach upset. Catnip is not recommended during pregnancy because it may stimulate the uterus and safety hasn't been established.

Overall, there isn't enough safety information available, so it's best avoided unless you've talked with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Catnip

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Catnip.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: lithium.
  • For scale: 248 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Stop and check with your pharmacist if you take sleep aids, anti-anxiety medications, or opioid painkillers — catnip may boost their sedative effects. Also flag it if you're on lithium for mood disorders, since catnip might raise your lithium level.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and some safety-information gaps remain.

Catnip has limited evidence for its advertised uses and should be avoided in pregnancy. If you take sedating medications or lithium, catnip is not a good fit — check with us before starting.

Even in people without those medications, human safety data are sparse.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 25, 2015.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Catnip, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbs Etc.
Net contents 8 Fluid Ounce(s); 236 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2015
DSLD ID 50197
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses No Claim
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Catnip by Herbs Etc., sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0 Not Present
Maximum serving Sizes:
0 Not Present
IngredientAmount% DV
fresh Catnip0 NP--

Other ingredients: 40% Grain Alcohol, purified Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Herbal single

Professional Strength

Fresh flower extract

For dispensing purposes only

FDA Statement of Identity

Fast-acting dietary supplement

Formula

Nepeta cataria

General

99038

See for yourself

Catnip by Herbs Etc. label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Catnip by Herbs Etc.

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0 Not Present Dosage formLiquid Amounts shown are per serving.

Fresh Catnip

Interacts with
248 drugs
0 NP per serving

Catnip is a mint-family herb most often used as a calming tea for sleep, anxiety, and minor digestive upset, but solid human research supporting these...

Fresh Catnip monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: 40% Grain Alcohol, Purified Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Catnip by Herbs Etc. Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Catnip?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
248Drugs
248 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Catnip with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

fresh Catnip2 drug types · 248 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use with drugs with sedative properties may cause additive effects and side effects.
Clinical and animal research shows that catnip has sedative properties.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, catnip might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium.
Catnip is thought to have diuretic properties which might reduce lithium excretion. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Catnip, from the product label.

Herbs Etc.

Name
Herbs, Etc.
Street Address
1340 Rufina Circle
City
Santa Fe
State
NM
ZipCode
87507
Web Address
www.herbsetc.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Catnip by Herbs Etc.: Common Questions

Does Catnip by Herbs Etc. interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Catnip has a known interaction with 248 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Catnip contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take catnip if I'm pregnant?
No, the safety data advises against it. Catnip may stimulate the uterus and safety in pregnancy isn't established. Talk with your doctor before considering it.
What are the side effects?
Most people who use it in appropriate amounts tolerate it well, but headache, nausea, vomiting, and general tiredness can happen. Large amounts may cause stomach upset or vomiting.
Does catnip actually help with anxiety?
The evidence doesn't support it yet — we have insufficient reliable evidence to rate whether it works for anxiety or any of its other traditional uses.
Why does this product contain alcohol?
The grain alcohol (40%) is used to extract the active compounds from the fresh catnip leaf and keep the liquid stable. It's a common way to make herbal liquids.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Catnip is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Catnip label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Catnip's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 7 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Catnip 7 references
  1. Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. 3rd ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1993.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  4. Osterhoudt KC, Lee SK, Callahan JM, Henretig FM. Catnip and the alteration of human consciousness. Vet Hum Toxicol 1997;39:373-5.
  5. Sherry, C. J. and Hunter, P. S. The effect of an ethanol extract of catnip (Nepeta cataria) on the behavior of the young chick. Experientia 2-15-1979;35(2):237-238. PubMed
  6. Harney, J. W., Barofsky, I. M., and Leary, J. D. Behavioral and toxicological studies of cyclopentanoid monoterpenes from Nepeta cataria. Lloydia. 1978;41(4):367-374.
  7. Massoco, C. O., Silva, M. R., Gorniak, S. L., Spinosa, M. S., and Bernardi, M. M. Behavioral effects of acute and long-term administration of catnip (Nepeta cataria) in mice. Vet.Hum.Toxicol 1995;37(6):530-533.

See these in context on the Catnip monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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