Catnip
is a perennial herb. It is a member of the Mint family Labiatae,
it is also a distant relation of marijuana. It
is well known for it's ability to get cat's
high. It is native to Europe & Asia, however has
become naturalised in America & Canada after being
introduced. There are approximately 250 species of Catnip,
and this figure doesn't include hybrid species. Some of
the more readily available ones are:
Common
Catnip (Nepeta
cataria)
White flowers, grows up to 3 feet. This is the variety
most cats enjoy.
Camphor
Catnip (Nepeta camphorata
White flowers with purple dots, grows up to 18 inches.
Camphor scent.
Greek
Catnip (Nepeta parnassica)
White, pale pink flowers, grows up to 18 inches.
Lemon
Catnip (Nepeta cataria citriodora)
White flowers, spotted with purple, grows up to 3
feet. The leaves have a lemony scent.
Catmint
(Nepeta mussinii)
Purple flowers. This plant has smallish, grey/green
leaves. It grows up to 15 inches high.
The
name Nepeta is believed to have come from the town of
Nepete in Italy. Cataria is thought to have come from
the Latin word for cat.
Catnip
is also known by the following names: Cataria,
Catmint, Catnep, Catrup, Cat's Heal All, Cat's-play,
Cat's Wort, Catswort, Catwort, Chi Hsueh Tsao, Field Balm,
Garden Nep, Herba Cataria, Herba Catti, Nebada, Nep.
The
active ingredient which causes this is an essential oil
called nepetalactone, which can be found in the leaves
& stem of the plant. Other constituents include Acetic
Acid, Alpha & beta-nepetalactone, Citral,
Nepetalactone, Geraniol, Dipentene, Citronellol,
Nerol, Butyric Acid, Valeric Acid and Tannins.
When
a cat encounters catnip, it usually sniffs it, rubs
against it, licks it & finally eats it. It's actually
the sniffing that gets produces the high, it's believed
that cats eat catnip to bruise the catnip & therefore
release more of the nepetalactone. The high produced will
usually last between five & ten minutes.
One
interesting fact is that when sniffed, catnip will
stimulate kitty, however when eaten it will act as a
sedative.
Around
50% of cats are affected by catnip, and those who are, are
affected to differing degrees. Kittens younger than 8
weeks old aren't able to enjoy it's effects. In
fact, they show an aversion to it. The response to
catnip appears to be inherited as an autosomal gene. It's
not just domesticated cats who enjoy the effects of
catnip, many lot of wild species also enjoy it. Cats
can smell 1 part in a billion in the air. Males
& females, entire or desexed, there appears to be no
one group who is more readily affected by catnip than
another.
Nepetalactone
causes a hallucinogenic effect. Some say the effects are
similar to LSD, others say similar to marijuana. Because
cats roll on the floor, which mimics a female in estrus,
it has been suggested that catnip acts as an aphrodisiac,
but this is unlikely as males react in just the same way.
What is likely is the cat is reacting to similar
"feel good" pheromones released during
sexual courtship/activity. However, non sexual behaviour
including playing, chasing & hunting can also be
observed. The response to catnip is via the
olfactory system. Even cats who can't smell will can still
respond to catnip.
The
effects of catnip seem to change from cat to cat. I have
one cat who drools & rolls on the floor, I have
another one who becomes very hyperactive, a third becomes
aggressive, and picks fights with the other cats when he's
had catnip.
Catnip
is not harmful to your cat. They won't overdose on it.
Most cats know when they've had enough & will refuse
any further offers.
Interestingly,
researchers say that nepetalactone is about ten times more
effective at repelling mosquitos than DEET, which is the
active ingredient in most insect repellents. It was also
discovered that catnip repels cockroaches too!* Plants
aren't alone in containing nepetalactone, some insects
& ants also contain it. It's been speculated that this
protects them from insects.
Rats
& mice are also believed to have a strong dislike of
catnip & will avoid places where it grows.
If
you set it, the cats will eat it. If you sow it, the cats
don't know it.
Philip Miller, The Gardener's Dictionary
This
saying came about because fresh catnip is supposedly more
attractive to cats when it is bruised & transplanting
catnip bruises the leaves. I don't know how much
truth there is to that, certainly my cats will have a
nibble on the catnip I keep in their enclosure, which
hasn't been bruised.
Catnip
is usually fairly easy to grow, you should be able to
purchase the plant from your local garden centre. It likes
light sandy soil, and grows best in full sun.
Most
pet shops either sell catnip toys, or tried catnip. When
storing catnip, put it in an air tight container, in the
fridge or freezer.
To
dry fresh catnip, hang upside down in a dry, ventilated
area, away from the sun.
Human
uses:
Catnip
tends to have a sedative effect on humans. It is most
often drunk as a tea.
It
is also useful for settling an upset stomach. It has
also been used to treat headaches, scarlet fever,
coughing, insomnia & smallpox.
Catnip
can also be used for cuts, studies show it has a natural
healing quality. Crush fresh catnip leaves, damp them
& apply to your cut. **
Some
other medicinal uses for catnip are: Anaesthetic,
antibiotic, anti rheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent,
carminative, diuretic, muscular aches and pains,
rheumatism, chills, cold in the joints, haemorrhoids,
toothache.
K’Eogh,
in his “Irish Herbal” (1735) wrote of catnip, “It
provokes urination and menstruation: it expels the
stillborn child; it opens obstructions of the lungs and
the womb, and is good for internal bruises and shortness
of breath. Drunk with salt and honey, it expels worms from
the body.” ***
Pregnant
women should avoid catnip.
It
can also be used as an aromatic herb in cooking &
salads.
According
to The Herb Garden, "The root when chewed is said to
make the most gentle person fierce and quarrelsome".
In fact, there is a story about an executioner who would
have to chew on the root of catnip so he could bring
himself to do kill.
Valerian
also produces the same reaction in cats. As do plants
which contain the chemical Actinidine.
Bibliography
*
Science
Daily
**
277 Secrets Your Cat Wants You to Know by Paulette Cooper
& Paul Noble.
***
Herbal
Advisor
All
information on this page is provided for informational
purposes only. It is not meant as a substitute for the
advice of your doctor or veterinarian.
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