Catnip is a perennial herb that is a member of the mint family, and it is perhaps best known for its effect on cats. Catnip is native to Europe, but has been imported to the US and elsewhere.
Although not all cats are susceptible to the effects of catnip, most are, and they generally like to roll around in it in a euphoric manner, and may become hyperactive for a short period before the effect wears off. Some cats also like to eat catnip, which may cause them to fall asleep. The herb is harmless to cats, and is not addictive. Catnip’s effect is caused by a chemical called nepetalactone, which causes a stereotypical reaction in sensitive cats, but not in humans.
Catnip is also used by humans for medicinal purposes. It has been used for conditions as diverse as colic, headache, toothache, colds, and spasms, and may also be used to induce sleep. Catnip is also thought to have an anti-bacterial effect, and acts as a sedative. Some people have found it useful for easing migraine headaches, stomach complaints, and also reducing the swelling associated with arthritis, haemorrhoids, and soft tissue injuries.
In the 15th century, catnip was used to season meats, and also to add extra flavour to salads. It can be used to make a herbal tea. Not everyone likes catnip however; it seems that cockroaches find it quite repellent, and catnip has been shown to be over 100% more effective than DEET for this purpose. Mosquitoes also appear to dislike catnip.
Some people have claimed that catnip can have hallucinogenic effects when smoked, but this seems unlikely. It has also been claimed that it is a distant relative of marijuana, which is also not the case. However, catnip may have some calming effect on humans, as folklore claims that it was used to calm children who were having fits, and to prevent nightmares.
Catnip is available in dried, liquid and capsule forums. It is also very easy to grow fresh catnip at home, although it has a tendency to take over the garden, so you might prefer to confine it to a pot.
Overall, catnip is a versatile herb – it entertains your cats, repels insects, makes a tasty tea or seasoning, and can be used in various herbal home remedies too
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