Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Indian Catnip

Also known as: Indian catnip, Anisomeles indica

Overview

Indian Catnip (*Anisomeles indica*) is a perennial herb native to India and Southeast Asia, traditionally used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine systems. It has been employed primarily for its calming and mild sedative properties, often used to relieve nervousness, mild emotional disturbances, and stress. The plant contains volatile compounds, including nepetalactone and related metabolites, which are thought to contribute to its biological effects. While traditional use suggests benefits, the scientific research on Indian Catnip’s efficacy and safety in humans is limited. Most existing evidence stems from traditional use and preclinical studies, rather than rigorous clinical trials. It is categorized as a herbal supplement and traditional medicinal plant.

Benefits

Indian Catnip is traditionally used for stress reduction and mild sedation. Preclinical studies suggest that volatile compounds like nepetalactone, also found in related catnip species, may have mild sedative effects in animal models. However, there is no high-quality clinical data from human studies to confirm these benefits or their strength of evidence. Some in vitro studies on essential oils from *Nepeta* species (a different genus of catnip) have shown antibacterial activity against certain bacterial strains, but these findings do not directly apply to *Anisomeles indica* and are not from human trials. No randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or meta-analyses are available to quantify effect sizes or confirm clinical significance for any purported benefits in humans. Therefore, any benefits are currently based on traditional use and limited preclinical observations, lacking robust scientific validation.

How it works

Indian Catnip contains volatile metabolites such as nepetalactone, which is known from related catnip species (*Nepeta cataria*) to interact with neurological pathways, potentially producing sedative effects. While the exact molecular targets in humans remain uncharacterized, animal studies suggest that these compounds may modulate central nervous system activity. The precise mechanisms by which *Anisomeles indica* exerts its effects, including its interaction with specific neurotransmitter systems or receptors, are not well understood. Furthermore, data on the absorption and bioavailability of active compounds from Indian Catnip preparations in the human body are not well documented.

Side effects

The overall safety of Indian Catnip is not well established due to a significant lack of clinical trials in humans. There are no systematically reported significant adverse effects or drug interactions. However, given the absence of human data, caution is strongly advised, especially for vulnerable populations such as pregnant or lactating individuals, and children. No documented contraindications or known serious side effects have been identified. While not specifically studied for Indian Catnip, there is a plausible theoretical potential for interactions with drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, as this is a common interaction pathway for many herbal supplements. Users should be aware that the safety profile is largely unknown, and any use should be approached with caution.

Dosage

There are no established dosing guidelines for Indian Catnip due to the absence of clinical trials in humans. Traditional use often involves herbal teas or extracts, but the quantities and standardization of these preparations vary widely. Consequently, optimal dosage ranges, timing considerations, and specific dosages for different purposes remain undefined. There is also no scientific basis to determine maximum safe doses or upper limits for consumption. Without rigorous clinical research, it is impossible to provide evidence-based recommendations for dosage, and any use should be approached with extreme caution given the lack of safety data.

FAQs

Is Indian Catnip effective for stress?

Traditional use suggests mild calming effects, but scientific evidence is weak and limited to preclinical data. No human clinical trials confirm its effectiveness for stress.

Is Indian Catnip safe to use?

Safety in humans is not well studied. No major safety signals have been reported, but caution is warranted due to the lack of comprehensive research. Vulnerable populations should avoid use.

How quickly does Indian Catnip work?

The time course of effects for Indian Catnip is unknown due to the lack of clinical data. There is no scientific basis to determine how quickly it might act.

Can Indian Catnip interact with medications?

Potential for interaction exists via cytochrome P450 enzymes, a common pathway for herbs, but no direct evidence for Indian Catnip specifically. Consult a healthcare professional if taking medications.

Research Sources

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1124305/full – This study evaluated essential oils from *Nepeta* species (not *Anisomeles indica*) for antibacterial activity. It found that catnip essential oil showed significant inhibition of several bacterial strains in vitro, but it did not involve clinical trials or human subjects.
https://www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com/articles/interactions-between-acetaminophen-and-phytotherapies-overview-for-the-rational-use-of-phytotherapics-15429.html – This review discussed potential cytochrome P450 enzyme interactions with various herbs, suggesting a general possibility for herb-drug interactions. However, it did not specifically study or provide evidence for interactions involving Indian Catnip (*Anisomeles indica*).
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6043668/ – This systematic review on herbal medicines and mania highlighted the general lack of detailed clinical data and quality in herbal case reports. It underscored the paucity of rigorous clinical evidence for many herbal supplements, including the type of evidence needed for Indian Catnip.
https://caringsunshine.com/relationships/relationship-stress-and-indian-catnip/ – This source, while not peer-reviewed, references traditional and preclinical data regarding Indian Catnip. It notes the limited scientific support for its use in stress and emphasizes the critical need for controlled human trials to validate its efficacy and safety.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aba0721 – This source discusses nepetalactone, a compound found in catnip, and its interaction with neurological pathways. While it provides insight into the potential mechanism of action for related catnip species, it does not specifically detail human studies or effects of *Anisomeles indica*.