The names catnip and catmint are derived from the intense attraction about two-thirds of
cats have toward the plant (alternatives exist, such as
valerian root and leaves).[6][7] Catnip is also an ingredient in some
herbal teas (or tisanes), and is valued for its
sedative and
relaxant properties.[8]
Description
Nepeta cataria is a short-lived
perennial,
herbaceous plant that grows to be 50–100 cm (20–40 in) tall and wide, and that blooms from late spring to autumn. In appearance, N. cataria resembles a typical member of the
mint family of plants, featuring brown-green foliage with the characteristic square stem of the plant family Lamiaceae.[9] The coarse-toothed leaves are triangular to elliptical in shape.[10] The small, bilabiate
flowers of N. cataria are fragrant and are either pink in colour or white with fine spots of pale purple.[10]
Taxonomy
Nepeta cataria was one of the many species
described by
Linnaeus in 1753 in his landmark work Species Plantarum.[11] He had previously described it in 1738 as Nepeta floribus interrupte spicatis pedunculatis (meaning 'Nepeta with flowers in a stalked, interrupted spike'), before the commencement of
Linnaean taxonomy.[12]
The plant is
drought-tolerant and
deer-resistant. It can be a repellent for certain insects, including
aphids and
squash bugs.[10] Catnip is best grown in full sunlight and grows as a loosely branching, low perennial.[14]
Varieties include Nepeta cataria var. citriodora (or N. cataria subsp. citriodora), or "lemon catnip",[15] named after its lemon-scented leaves.[16]
Biological control
The
iridoid that is deposited on cats who have rubbed themselves against the plants and scratched the surfaces of catnip and
silver vine (Actinidia polygama) leaves repels mosquitoes.[17] The compound
iridodial, an iridoid extracted from catnip oil, has been found to attract
lacewings that eat aphids and mites.[18]
As an insect repellent
Nepetalactone is a mosquito and
fly repellent.[19][20] Oil isolated from catnip by steam distillation is a repellent against insects, in particular mosquitoes, cockroaches, and termites.[21][22] Research suggests that, while a more effective spatial repellant than
DEET,[23] when compared with
SS220 or DEET, it is not so effective as a repellent as it is when used on the skin of humans.[24]
Effect of ingestion on humans
Catnip has a history of use in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments such as stomach cramps, indigestion, fevers, hives, and nervous conditions.[25] The plant has been consumed as a tisane, juice,
tincture, infusion, or poultice, and has also been smoked.[25] However, its medicinal use has fallen out of favor with the development of modern medicine.[25]
Catnip contains the feline attractant
nepetalactone. N. cataria (and some other species within the genus Nepeta) are known for their
behavioral effects on the cat family, not only on
domestic cats, but also other species.[25] Several tests showed that
leopards,
cougars,
servals, and
lynxes often reacted strongly to catnip in a manner similar to domestic cats.
Lions and
tigers may react strongly as well, but they do not react consistently in the same fashion.[26][27][28][29]
With domestic cats, N. cataria is used as a recreational substance for the enjoyment of pet cats, and catnip and catnip-laced products designed for use with domesticated cats are available to consumers. Common behaviors cats display when they sense the bruised leaves or stems of catnip are rubbing on the plant, rolling on the ground, pawing at it, licking it, and chewing it. Consuming much of the plant is followed by drooling, sleepiness, anxiety, leaping about, and
purring.[30] Some growl,
meow, scratch, or bite at the hand holding it.[31][32] The main response period after exposure is generally between 5 and 15 minutes, after which
olfactory fatigue usually sets in.[33]: p.107 However, about one-third of cats are not affected by catnip.[6][7][25][34] The behavior is
hereditary.[35]
A study published in January 2021 suggests that felines are specifically attracted to the
iridoids nepetalactone and
nepetalactol, present in catnip and
silver vine, respectively.[39]
Felines not affected by catnip
Cats younger than six months might not exhibit behavioral change to catnip.[40] Up to a third of cats are genetically immune to catnip effects but may respond to and enjoy catnip alternatives such as
valerian (Valeriana officinalis) root and leaves; silver vine or matatabi (Actinidia polygama), popular in Asia; and Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) wood.[6][7]
^Keville, Kathi (2016). The Aromatherapy Garden: Growing Fragrant Plants for Happiness and Well-Being (illustrated ed.). Timber Press. p. 133.
ISBN9781604695496.
^Junwei J. Zhu, Christopher A. Dunlap, Robert W. Behle, Dennis R. Berkebile, Brian Wienhold. (2010). Repellency of a wax-based catnip-oil formulation against stable flies. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58 (23): 12320–12326 (8 Nov 2010,
doi:
10.1021/jf102811k).
^Hart, Benjamin L.; Leedy, Mitzi G. (July 1985). "Analysis of the catnip reaction: mediation by olfactory system, not vomeronasal organ". Behavioral and Neural Biology. 44 (1): 38–46.
doi:
10.1016/S0163-1047(85)91151-3.
PMID3834921.
^"Crazy for catnip". HumaneSociety.org. Humane Society of the United States. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
Further reading
Khan, M. A.;
Cameron, Mary M.; Loza-Reyes, E. (May 2012). "Interference in foraging behaviour of European and American house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) by catmint, Nepeta cataria (Lamiaceae)". Experimental and Applied Acarology. 57 (1): 65–74.
doi:
10.1007/s10493-012-9532-2.
PMID22382713.
S2CID17494631.