Catnip

Catnip
Nepeta cataria

Catnip is a perennial herb of the mint family. The grey-green leaves have scalloped edges and whitish hairs on the lower side. The flowers are white with purple spots and occur in clusters at the tips of the leaf stems.

Some cats love catnip, some cats love to eat it others like to roll in it. The active ingredient which attracts them is an essential oil called nepetalactone, it is found in the leaves & stem of the plant. Catnip is a harmless "high" for cats they bite, chew, rub against, and roll in catnip to release the volatile oil trapped in the leaves. The effects of catnip seem to vary from cat to cat. Some cats relax and enjoy the scent rubbing and rolling over the catnip, others get quite excited and hyperactive.

Catnip is not just for cats it also has medicinal properties and culinary uses. The seeds resemble poppy seeds with a slightly minty flavour. Add to breads, biscuits, pastry filling, muffins and scones. Use leaves in salad and tea.

A leaf tea will settle stomach upsets, dyspepsia, flatulence, colic and diarrhea. Safe for young children it can be used to calm and soothe an unwell child. Catnip has a sedative action on the nerves, relieving stress and anxiety; it will promote sleep if taken before bed. It is also a traditional remedy for colds and flu and will help reduce fever.

In the garden it makes a suitable companion plant to potatoes, capsicum and fruit trees.

The essential oil of catnip can be used as a natural insect repellant to mosquitoes.

Growing Conditions

Catnip a perennial will grow in full sun to part shade; it will thrive in poor slightly alkaline soil. After flowers have faded cut plant back heavily.