Human Uses of Catnip

What is Catnip

Catnip (Nepeta cataria), catmint, catnep, is a hardy perennial herb of the mint family (Labiatae).

Distribution of Catnip

Catnip originated in Europe and parts of Asia, and was planted by setlers in colonial gardens in North America. Catnip escaped to the wild and is common across Canada and the U.S. Catnip is cultivated mainly in the Pacific Northwest and parts of Canada, particularly in Alberta and British Columbia.

Effect on Cats

Most species of the cat family (Felidae) except tigers and some lions are attracted to catnip. The cats roll in the catnip, rub their face, and eventually eat it.The oil from catnip leaves contains a chemical called trans-neptalactone, which closely resembles a substance present in a female cat's urine.

Wee kittens do not like catnip until they are about 3 months old. The sensitivity is inherited: A kitten with only one catnip-sensitive parent has a one-in-two chance of inheriting the catnip sensitivity, and a kitten whose parents both exhibit sensitivity has a three-in-four chance. There is no correlation between catnip sensitivity and sex, color, or breed.

Active Ingredients of Catnip

Nepetalactone is one of several related compounds known to initiate the classic catnip response.

Catnip essential oil containing mostly Nepetalactone, but also citral, geraniol, citronellol, nerol, thymol and limonene, is extracted by steam distillation.

Because nepetalactone is volatile catnip will lose its effect over time. It should be stored in a closed container preferably in a cool place.

Are any Other Plants Similar to Catnip?

Actinidine, a similar compound is found in valerian and in silver vine (Actinidia polygama). Iridomyrmecin is also found in silver vine. Dihydroactinidiolide occurs naturally in black tea, fenugreek, fire ants, mangos, silver vine

What is Catnip used For in Humans?

Medicinal Uses of Catnip

There is very little research available on catnip so there is little formal evidence that it works. But it has been used for a astonishing number of ailments.

One use that everyone agrees on is its sedative properties. It is used everywhere catnip is found as a relaxing and soothing tea. This is probably its main claim to fame. Valerian which contains similar active ingredients, is often included in herbal sleep potions.

Because it is soothing and relaxing (antispasmodic) it is also used for digestive upsets (nervous dyspepsia) where the main cause is tension. In that context catnip is recommended for muscular pain, cramps, colic in babies, spasms and tics and stomach pains. It is also helpful in headache where tension is mainly responsible.

Catnip's soothing effect is also useful in reducing menstual pain.

It has mild anaesthetic properties (try it by chewing a leaf, or just bruising a leaf in your mouth) and has been used for tooth and gum aches.

Although it is mostly used as tea and poultice, it was sometimes smoked for asthma. There is no evidence that it works. It was also smoked by hopeful hippies as a mild hallucigenic.

It has been used as a mild antibiotic. As a poultice, it is said to help heal and prevent infection. It also has anti fungal properties.

Recent research has suggested that it does help reduce fever. It is claimed that it is diuretic, and reduces gas (carminative). Furthermore it has been used to treat colds, upper respiratory affections, particularly where there is a feeling of congestion the airways, sinuses or middle ear.

Catnip in large doses has been observed to be emetic (makes you vomit).

Its been recommended for a number of "female ailments" helping the onset of late menstuation (used in tincture form). Pregnant women should avoid catnip as a precaution only since there is no evidence that it is harmful

In the folklore, Catnip root is said to have the opposite effect than the stem and leaves. It is supposed to make a normally placid human, aggressive and bloodthirsty.

Other non Medicinal uses of Catnip

Thymol extracted from catnip has been shown to be fungicide.

It can also be used as an aromatic herb in cooking & salads. It was drunk in England as a tea before Chinese tea was available.

Some people have used it as a meat tenderizer.

A light yellow dye can be made from Catnip. There are countless recipes for herbal hair dye and some include catnip.

Catnip has been used as an ingredient of love potions or as part of bonding rituals. It is said that any leaf used during the ceremony must be carefully kept otherwise the spell will break!

Toxicity of Catnip

This is a short entry. There are no reported cases of harm done by ingesting catnip. Occasionally a cat will puke and that's about it.

Catnip as Insect and Rat Repellant

There is a long tradition of planting catnip near a house or barn to repel mice and rats and to keep insects away.

Research has shown that cockroaches and termites are repelled by Catnip.

More recently, research done at Iowa State Univerty, showed that catnip was 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.

In the 1960s, Cornell University naturalist Thomas Eisner reported that catnip oil repels insects (Science 1964, 146, 1318). The paper suggested that nepetalactone defends against plant-eating insects.

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This article is provided for information only. It is not intended to replace medical or veterinary help. If you or your cat are sick see a doctor or vet.