CULPEPER'S COMPLETE HERBAL

CATMINT

Description. Catmint has tall, square, hoary stalks, pretty much branched, having at the joints too pretty large softish leaves, in shape like those of the dead nettle, whitish and hoary underneath, and green above, set on long footstalks. The flowers grow on the tops of the branches, in long handsome whorled spikes of white flowers, galeated and labiated; the galea is cut into two, and the labella into three sections; they are set in open five cornered calyces, in which grow the seed. The root is white and woody, and spreads much. It has a strong scent between mint and penny-royal. It is called Catmint, because the cats are very fond of it, especially when a little flaccid and withered, for then they will roll themselves on it, and chew it in their mouths with great pleasure.

Place. It grows in lanes and hedges.

Time. It flowers in the summer-months.

Government and virtues. It is a martial herb, and consists of warming and attenuating parts, somewhat like Penny-royal; and, like that, is of great service in opening obstructions of the womb, and helping the green sickness, as also the suffocation of the womb and vapours. It promotes the birth and cleansing; and by some authors is recommended against barrenness.