Catmint.
Nepeta.
A COMMON wild plant about our hedges, but of very great virtues; it grows a yard high, and has broad whitish leaves, and white flowers like mint. The stalks are square, whitish, hairy, and erect: the leaves stand two at a joint: they are broadest at the base, and terminate in an obtuse end; they are a little indented at the edges, and of a whitish green on the upper side, and very white underneath. The flowers are small and white; and they grow in a kind of spiked clusters, surrounding the stalks at certain distances. The whole plant has a very strong and not very agreeable smell.
Catmint should be gathered just when the flower are opening, and dried. It is an excellent woman's medicine; an infusion of it is good against hysteric complaints, vapours, and fits, and it moderately promotes the menses: it is also good to promote the evacuations after delivery.
