Catnip (Nepeta cataria) vs Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

About

Catnip is a downy, aromatic perennial growing to 3 feet with heart-shaped, gray-green leaves and whorls of white flowers marked with purple spots. Native to Europe and naturalized in North America, it grows in dry wayside places and mountainous regions up to altitudes of 5,000 feet. The plant is gathered when in flower during summer and autumn. Catnip has an excitatory effect on cats.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or C. zeylanicum) is a small evergreen tree, prized for its fragrant, sweet-spicy bark. Cinnamon has a long history of use in traditional medicine in China, India and Persia, where it was thought to help inflammation, nerve pain, heart disease and cough (NCCIH). NCCIH says research doesn't clearly support cinnamon for any health condition, and it is unclear whether it helps diabetes.

Safety & precautions

Large doses can cause vomiting. Ask a qualified professional before giving it to children or babies. Avoid during pregnancy.

Essential Oil: Highly concentrated, can be toxic, and is not advisable for internal use. Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Cinnamon bark and oil (beyond normal food amounts) are generally avoided. Excess Doses: NCCIH notes that larger amounts or long-term use of cinnamon are sometimes linked to gastrointestinal problems or allergic reactions, and large amounts may lower blood sugar excessively. Allergy: Occasionally causes allergic reactions.

Safety text above is printed in full and is never abbreviated. For each plant’s complete precautions, drug and food interactions and preparation notes, open its own page - both are free.