Schizonepeta

Schizonepeta tenuifolia

Japanese Catnip Japanese Mint Jing Jie Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Uses Considerations

Schizonepeta is native to China and Japan, and is widely cultivated in the Far East. It is a pleasantly aromatic herb with highly dissected foliage and small, clustered lavender blooms that grow in spikes above the foliage. Schizonepeta belongs to the same family as catnip, but it is an annual with a sweet, pine like aroma. The whole plant is used in herbal medicine.

USES

Schizonepeta is the principal herb of traditional Japanese medicine for skin infections. The Chinese use the herb to treat symptoms of the common cold: chills, sore throat, and headaches. It helps to lower fever and promote sweating, and has an antibacterial action.

Benefits of schizonepeta for specific health conditions include the following:

• Boils and mastitis. Scientific investigation has confirmed that schizonepeta heals skin infections by stimulating circulation within the skin and by inducing perspiration. It has excellent antimicrobial and antiviral effects and helps to eliminate toxins. It promotes healing of skin lesions and eruptions.

CONSIDERATIONS

Schizonepeta is available as a cream from compounding pharmacies for external use. It is dispensed by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners as a tea for internal use. You should not use schizonepeta creams on open sores.