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Catnip – Uses for People and Cats – Weekly Weeder #19

Cats love catnip, but did you know humans can use it too? We’ll share catnip identification, uses and benefits, plus tips on safe and fun use for kitty.

flowering catnip plants

What is catnip?

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is also known as catnep, catmint*, catrup, catswort. It’s a perennial herb that’s a member of the mint family. Many people know it from dried packets or cat toys at the pet store, but it’s easy to grow in your garden.

*Catnip (Nepata cataria) shouldn’t be confused with the related species of catmint, Nepeta mussinii. Catmint has lavender flowers, a neater appearance, and is less attractive to cats.

Where It Grows Wild

Catnip grows in wide variety of soils, in sun or shade, and in dry conditions. Like many weeds, it pops up in fields, gardens, along roadsides, and in public parks.

Although native to Asia and likely brought over from Europe, catnip is now naturalized in much of the world. It’s found throughout the United States and Canada. (map source)

Nepeta cataria range map

Plant Identification – Leaves, Stems and Flowers

Catnip leaves grow opposite on the stalk, with toothed edges and an arrowhead shape. Leaves are 1-3 inches long and covered with white, downy hairs. When you crush the leaves, they release a strong, minty smell.

The plant grows from 1 to 3 feet tall, with square stems (a mint family trait).

Nepeta cataria flowers are white with a slight hint of purple, and are tubular in shape. They grow in clusters near the top of the plant. If you don’t want it to spread too quickly, make sure to deadhead before the flowers set seed.

butterfly on blossoms
Butterfly visiting blossoms of catnip and radishes gone to seed

Bees and butterflies love the flowers, and seed eating songbirds like finches enjoy the seed heads. Our honeybees LOVE catnip, and catnip honey is absolutely delicious.

In the video below you can get a better look at one of our catnip plants, with some help in identification from our cats, Ronnie and Miss Kitty.

Uses and Benefits

Although most commonly grown for cats’ enjoyment, catnip has a long history of medicinal use. The tea is soothing, cooling and relaxing. The leaves are safe to eat, but strong in flavor. Large amounts may induce vomiting.

To make catnip tea, place about a tablespoon of fresh or dried leaves in a cup and cover with hot water. Steep (covered is best) for 10-20 minutes for medicinal use.

Edible & Medicinal Wild Plants of Minnesota & Wisconsin notes the following medicinal uses of catnip:

  • Calms tension headaches
  • Relieves indigestion induced by nervousness
  • Sleep inducer
  • Sleep extender
  • Fever reducer
  • Decongestant
  • Eases menstrual cramps
  • Promotes menstrual flow
  • Eases Tremors/convulsions
  • Infant colic and diarrhea
  • Relieves bull hives
  • Calms restless, agitated kids
  • Soothes teething pain and nightmares

Do not use Nepeta cataria during pregnancy. For infant use, all particles must be carefully screened out of the tea with a coffee filter or similar filter. Always consult your health provider if you are on any medications or for specific medical conditions.

close up of catnip plant

Catnip as a Pest Repellent

Catnip acts an insect repellent, due primarily to the nepetalactone content of the essential oil. Historically, it’s also been planted around building to deter rats and mice.

See “Catnip: Its Raison d’Etre” for more information on Nepeta cataria pest control use.

Lab tests have shown nepetalactone to be stronger than DEET as a mosquito repellent. To repel fleas from carpets or the fur of animals, try a strong infusion of catnip tea.

When I’m out in the garden and the mosquitoes are moving in, I grab a handful of catnip and rub it all over myself. It helps significantly. If I’m a little slow and get bit up before I get it on, I use plantain to soothe the bites.

Since herbivores don’t eat catnip, I use this to my advantage to protect my seedlings from wild bunnies.

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What does catnip do to dogs?

Catnip relaxes dogs, similar to the way it relaxes humans.

cat eating catnip

Why do cats like catnip?

The same nepetalactone that helps deter pests triggers a reaction in the cat’s olfactory bulb that then affects the rest of the body.

The response is similar to a pheromone trigger, and affects cats of all sizes, from house cats to lions and tigers. (If you have large wild cats in the area, you may want to be cautious with planting catnip in the garden.)

Do cats really get high on catnip?

Different cats react in different ways to catnip. Some get excited – rubbing, chewing, kicking and acting a little crazy. Others become lethargic. (More of a “Whoa… dude” type of reaction.) It’s a little like kitty marijuana.

The short video clip below shows our kitties, Zoro and Big Fluffy, with fresh nip and a nip toy.

Cats react for about 10 minutes, and then become immune for about half an hour.

About 70-80 percent of cats are affected by catnip, and kittens don’t react until they become sexually mature at around 6 months. (Don’t waste money on catnip treats for kittens.)

cat high on catnip

Is catnip poisonous to cats?

The ASPCA will tell you that catnip is toxic to cats, and other sites will tell you to wash out your cat’s mouth if they eat it.

On behalf of my cats, and many other cats, I’d like to say these folks are nuts.

Yes, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea in large doses – but most cats will not overdose.

We have large amounts of catnip all over our yard and garden. Our cats and visiting barn cats from next door visit and enjoy the plants every year.

We’ve easily had over 20 cats through the garden in the last 14 years, and never once have I seen a cat get sick from catnip. Happy, sleepy, excited, and/or a little crazy – yes – but not sick, unless your cat has no self-control.

To be extra safe, test a small amount of nip and see how your cat reacts. Don’t give them a huge tub of dried catnip the first time around, or slip it into their food.

Easy Homemade Catnip Toy

As a special treat, we make simple homemade catnip toys for the kitties to have inside. We used to give them loose catnip, fresh or dried, but it made big mess.

Now, we take old socks and stuff them with fresh or dried nip. Ta-da! The nip socksicle! Zoro loves his special toy.

black and white cat with catnip toy

More Information on Cat Care

More Ways to Use Wild Plants

This post is #19 in the Weekly Weeder series, which is all about wild plants – how to identify and use them, where they grow, and how to get rid of them, if needed.

Please Like, Pin, Stumble or otherwise share this post if you enjoy learning about wild plants. It only takes a moment and I really appreciate your help. 

Weekly Weeder at Common Sense Home - drying herbs

Originally published in 2012, last updated in 2019.

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16 Comments

  1. I have no experience with cats and catnip but from personal experience catnip leaves are effective at repelling mosquitoes- as demonstrated one July 4, when our guests at a city fireworks event were harassed by mosquitoes – those who rubbed fresh catnip leaves or fresh citronella leaves escaped being bitten while other guests who either used commercial products or skipped protection suffered bites

  2. I looked at your map and it shows Florida as the ONLY state it doesn’t grow in ?! Can you verify that? Thanks!

    1. The map is from the USDA, so they probably have better resources than I do< but I'm sure you could grow it from seed even if it doesn't show up wild.

  3. So glad I seen your post this morning… I just bought some catnip to grow for my kitties. I didnt realize all the great things you can do with catnip.

  4. Oh, I remember my friend’s cat going nuts crazy over catnip. Yep, don’t mess a cat and its catnip 🙂 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂

    1. It’s funny when they get into it, too. They go from super excited to super relaxed in a matter of minutes.

  5. I SO enjoy these posts! Thank you for providing them and including wonderful photos. I think I’m going to go out and find some catnip today to plant in our garden.

    1. Kathleen – thanks, I’m glad you like them. Once this plant is established, it’s been very easy to grow for me. If you can’t find the seeds (or plants) locally, they do sell them at Mountain Rose Herbs, along with the dried plant material.

  6. I love catnip! I tried growing some last year but I didnt have it in a good spot and it didnt survive- way too much sun! For now I buy it in bulk at my health foods store, my cats love it so much more than the junk they sell at pet food stores. Sometimes I make tea from it, I read somewhere- I think in one of Rosemary Gladstar’s books, that it is also good for relaxation? I sometimes use at bedtime to help calm down. 🙂

    Have a great week!!
    -Linnae

    1. Linnae – thanks for linking up and linking back!

      You’re right – catnip is good for relaxation. Did you know there’s a catniptea.org? They state:

      “Drinking catnip tea is known to have many benefits. Catnip tea is known to contain a chemical called nepetalctone which promotes relaxation and sleep. Catnip tea is also known to alleviate pain caused due to menstrual cramping. Also strong catnip tea can help in reducing pain caused due to migraine headaches. Catnip tea can also help in easing the symptoms of flu like fever and sore throat. You can also use strong catnip tea for nasal decongestion. Catnip tea can also help in reducing the symptoms of diarrhea.

      However, if you are pregnant then it is best that you avoid taking catnip tea as it promotes uterine contraction. Excessive drinking of catnip tea can cause fatigue, headaches, vomiting and nausea. Also it is best that you avoid drinking catnip tea if you intend to drive a vehicle as it can cause drowsiness.”

    2. had no idea humans could use it – grew it for my 3 cats. Sully my Siamese loves it – does a mad dance for just a few seconds… will try making tea, thanks

  7. I have catnip growing and the funny thing is that the house cats are affected by it but the strays seem indifferent to the effects. I love the flowers!