If you want to attract cats…
Calamint (Calamintha sylvatica, syn. Officinalis or mountain balm) is an erect perennial member of the Labiatea, growing to about 70cm in mountainous wooded areas of Europe and Asia. It is highly aromatic with square stems and opposing leaves, which are light green, serated and hairy, with a flowering spike of purple flowers.
The name is taken from the Greek kalos and mentha meaning good mint. The herb has been used since ancient times and was thought to be a cure for leprosy if taken internally. Culpeper stated that it was ‘…very efficacious in all afflictions of the brain, and relieves convulsions, cramps and choleric pains in the bowels’. Gerard claims ‘..it taketh away the sorrowfulness which cometh of melancholy and maketh a man merrie and glad’.
The principal constituent of the herb is an essential oil that contains citral, citronellol, limonene, geraniol and metatabilacetone. This makes the plant mildly anaesthetic, astringent, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, carminative, febrifuge, nervine, tonic and sedative.
Calamint is closely related to Catnip (Nepata cataria), and attracts cats with pheromone overtones which emanate from the chemical metatabilacetone, which is hallucinogenic, and is incorporated in cat toys. If you wish to isolate cats in your garden then plant calamint or catnip; they both have the same effect. Dried calamint is smoked to give a slightly euphoric feeling without any ill effect.
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recommends calamint for nervous and digestive complaints, menstrual pains, colds, chills and cramps; it has specific application in cases of infantile flatulent colic.
Aromatherapists apply the essential oil of calamint in cases of rheumatism, muscular aches and pains, insomnia, nervous tension and stress-related conditions.
In the United States, the plant is used by ranchers in Wyoming and Montana as a lure for wild cats; perhaps it has some application here.
Calamint can be found in abundance in the area around Macheras monastery, and will make a very attractive addition to your herb garden, or, as a mid-bed perennial. It is easy to propagate from root cuttings, and the leaves make a very refreshing tea. Some people find the smell of the plant overpowering so use in moderation and avoid during pregnancy.
Next week Bryony
