"Catnip" is the common name for a perennial herb of the mintfamily. It is native to Europe and is an import to the United States and other countries. The catnip plant is now a widespread weed in North America.
Given to the right cat, catnip can cause an amazing reaction! The cat will rub it, roll over it, kick at it, and generally go nuts for several minutes. Then the cat will lose interest and walk away. Two hours later, the cat may come back and have exactly the same response.
Because there really isn't any scent that causes this sort of reaction in humans, catnip is hard for us to understand. However, it is not an uncommon behavior in animals that rely heavily on their noses. For example, there are many scents that will trigger intense hunting behavior in dogs, and other scents will cause dogs to stop in their tracks and roll all over the scent.
Although no one knows exactly what happens in the cat's brain, it is known that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing that triggers the response. Apparently, it somehow kicks off a stereotypical pattern in cats that are sensitive to the chemical. The catnip reaction is inherited, and some cats are totally unaffected by it. Large cats like tigers can be sensitive to it as well.
The reaction to catnip only lasts a few minutes. Then the cat acclimates to it, and it can take an hour or two away from catnip for the cat to "reset." Then, the same reaction can occur again. Very young kittens and older cats seem less likely to have a reaction to catnip.
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Catnip is good for humans too!
Catnip Herb Effects and Health Benefits
Catnip, also known as catmint, catswort, and field balm, is a member of the mint family of herbs and is believed to have originated in regions of Europe. Today catnip can be found growing in most of the milder climates of the Northern Hemisphere. Catnip plants have fuzzy, grayish-green leaves and small, white flowers that bloom in the summer. The flowers, leaves and stem are cut while the plants are in full flower and then dried for use in herbal preparations. Because it repels certain insects, catnip or chemicals derived from it have been used in pesticides.
Taken orally, catnip is most commonly used in connection with anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness. It contains a substance, known as nepetalactone, which has a sedative effect in humans. (Nepetalactone is very similar to valepotriate found in valerian, a more commonly used herbal sedative.) Due to this effect, catnip may also be used to help lessen migraine headaches. Catnip has also been used historically to relieve stomach complaints such as colic, cramps, gas, and indigestion because chemicals in it may have muscle-relaxing, or antispasmodic, effects.
Topically, catnip has often been used to reduce swelling associated with arthritis, hemorrhoids, and soft tissue injuries.
Dosage and Administration
Capsule and oral liquid forms of catnip are available commercially and dried catnip may be brewed into a tea. Although dosage for catnip is not standardized, a common recommendation for catnip tea is 1 or 2 teaspoons of the dried aerial parts soaked for about 10 minutes in 1 cup of water that has been allowed to boil and then removed from the heat. Boiling catnip may cause the loss of active ingredients. Catnip is often taken three times a day.
To use topically, dried leaves or flowers of catnip are moistened with warm water to make a poultice, which is applied externally as often as needed. Cooled catnip tea may also be used as a soak or a wash.
Supporting Literature
Sherry CJ, Hunter PS. The effect of an ethanol extract of catnip (Nepeta cataria) on the behavior of the young chick. Experientia 1979;35:237-238.Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994, 120-121.Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum, 1988.
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Catnip is Safe and Non-Addictive for Cats
Catnip Won’t Harm Felines, Presents Some Health Risks for Humans
Catnip, a member of the mint family, contains nepetalactone, a substance that causes euphoria in more than half of all cats over the age of 8 weeks. Other names for catnip are catmint, catrup, field balm, field wort, catswort, and nepeta cataria.
Catnip and Health
Cats can’t become addicted to catnip, though they may stop responding to it with frequent exposure. Catnip has no adverse health consequences for cats. It makes them happy, and has the added benefit of diverting them from snacking on houseplants, some of which may have toxic effects.
Cats need to snack on greenery from time to time, and while keeping cats indoors is safer due to the dangers facing outdoor cats, the indoor lifestyle deprives them of natural fresh-growing grass. Catnip is easy to grow, and owners may wish to create a little cat garden in a low pot or tray, with catnip and cat grass (barley, rye, oats) to provide indoor cats with some greens.
Many cats just sniff or roll in catnip, but some like to eat it. Eating a lot of catnip may make a cat throw up, which can happen when cats eat any harmless plant, including grass. If your cat has a tendency to gobble fresh or dried catnip and then vomit, it might be a good idea to switch to catnip toys.
Catnip as an Herbal Remedy for People
Catnip has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy for a variety of conditions, including insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, migraine headaches, and stomach complaints (such as indigestion). No clinical studies have been conducted to confirm these effects, though anecdotal reports suggest that catnip may provide some benefits. Many believe that smoking catnip or eating large amounts of it will cause euphoria and excitement, but there is no evidence to support this.
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I am thinking of growing the catnip in Singapore in the 300 sq ft Garden outside.
It is for world peace.
Catnip is not harmful to cats, and is not addictive. The Catnip will be grown and all cats in Singapore can come and hang out in its glory!
I am asking for donations to make this a reality.
If you like cats, please send Catnip seeds to me.
My human's Office is at
Attention: Satsugaicat
545 Orchard Road #08-05 Singapore 238882
Cats do not judge you, they love you for who you are.
Cats don't care if you are fat or thin, white or black.
Cats don't mind if you are rich or poor, male or female.
Cats will love you for who you are.
--Satsugai Cat.
Alternatively, you can send donations through paypal to sales@greenyarn.com
Please Support world Peace.
Support Catnip Project!
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