Common Name: Mofarrah

General Information

Nepeta crispa is a herbaceous perennial
The plant is harvested from the wild in Iran, where it is commonly used as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

W. Asia - Iran

Habitat

Rocky, granitic mountains

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Nepeta species generally grow best in a sunny position and a well-drained soil. Many are found in poor soils in the wild, and have a bushier growth habit in more fertile soils[].
A very aromatic plant[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Due to its sweet odour, the plant is locally known as 'Mofarrah' in the Hamadan province of Iran. The plant is intensively used in Iranian traditional medicine. The beverage and infusion prepared from aerial parts of this plant are used as carminative, relaxant, sedative, restorative tonic for respiratory and nervous disorders[, ]

Trials have shown that the essential oil has an antimicrobial activity. The gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, were the most sensitive to the oil. Also, the oil exhibited a remarkable antifungal activity against all the tested fungi[].

Other Uses

Around 1% of a sweet-smelling essential oil can be obtained from the aerial parts of the plant. The main constituents are cineol (47.9%), nepetalactone (20.3%) and beta-pinene [6.9%][].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn, in situ if possible. Germination of spring sown seed can be erratic[]. The seed is best sown in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Division of clumps in the autumn or spring, when the plant is dormant or just coming into growth[].
Stem tip or softwood cuttings can be taken in the spring or early summer[].