A perennial herb, the catnip plant is grown throughout the world.If you are a cat parent or someone you know is a cat parent, then, you must have heard of the effect that this plant has on young kittens and humans alike. Also, it should be known that a moderate amount of catnip is perfectly safe for your furry kittens and bigger cats, and you can give your cat catnip.Catnip has the following effect on cats: stroking, purring, or rolling is triggered by the fragrance. This response in their brain is caused by a molecule called nepetalactone, however, it only works in around half of all cats. Surprisingly, whether or not a cat will respond to the drug is heritable. Cats, like humans, can acclimatize to scents and modulate their emotions; some are better than others.Cats sniff fresh catnip (male cats respond more than female cats) and the chemical present in this plant affects their brain and makes them react in a bunch of ways. The way that cat physiology works makes them more susceptible to true catnip and catnip variants. Catnip is also used in a variety of cat toys and some cats eat this herb without much of a reaction. Toys like chasers and toy mice are fairly common. Catnip tea, especially the tea brewed out of true catnip is known to be soothing. Catnip is deemed possibly safe for humans and should be consumed in small amounts. High amounts of catnip can cause vomiting, headaches, and malaise in humans.What is catnip?Catnip was introduced to the USA by foreigners and was used to treat a variety of human diseases such as migraines and fevers. When numerous cats are exposed to it, they appear to experience euphoria and respond in a variety of ways.When most cats are exposed to catnip, they become excited.Your kitten may appear to be excited, racing about, and jumping up on things.Cats’ eyes dilate in several conditions. Of course, your kitten may respond differently, but many cats become much more talkative and energetic, and catnip leaves are absolutely safe for young kittens.However do note that kittens under the age of three months don’t react to catnip at all.Catnip plant, often known as catnip, catswort, catwort, as well as catmint, is a species of Nepeta in the Lamiaceae family that is native to eastern and southern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of China.It has spread over the regions of northern Europe, Zealand, and America.The terms catnip and catmint are obtained from the strong attraction that around two-thirds of cats have to them.Catnip is also an ingredient in several herbal teas (or tisanes) and is prized for its calming and relaxing qualities.Nepeta cataria is a plant that develops to be 20–40 in (51-102 cm) long and broad and blooms from late spring to fall.Nepeta cataria mimics a typical component of the mint family of plants, with brown-green leaves and the plant family Lamiaceae’s distinctive square stem.Nepeta cataria was one of several species identified by Linnaeus in his seminal book ‘Species Plantarum’ in 1753.Prior to the beginning of Linnaean taxonomy, he characterized it in 1738 as Nepeta with flowers in a stalked, interrupted spike.Cats commonly exhibit the following activities when they detect injured leaves or stems of catnip: scratching on the plant, tumbling on the ground, nibbling at it, licking it, and eating it.Drooling, tiredness, nervousness, jumping around, and purring are among symptoms of consuming a large amount of the plant.The major reaction phase following exposure is usually about 5-15 minutes, then after olfactory exhaustion sets in.You can feed catnip to your cat however, roughly one-third of cats are unaffected by catnip.According to research released in January 2021, felines are particularly drawn towards the chemical iridoids nepetalactone and nepetalactone, which are found in catnip and silver vine, respectively.Classification Of CatnipNepeta cataria, popularly known as real catnip, is the most widespread of such catnip plant species. There are several additional Nepeta species, most of which have multiple blossom colors and even specific smells. These several catnip species are indigenous to Europe and Asia but have easily naturalized in portions of North America.True catnip (Nepeta cataria) reaches 3 ft (0.9 m) tall and has white to purple flowers.It is often more fascinating for male cats than female cats.Greek catnip (Nepeta parnassica) is a little-known ‘catmint’ that makes a powerful impression late in the season with its pale pink blossoms and 1.5 ft (0.5 m) height.Camphor catnip or Nepeta camphorata is a white bloom with purple spots, that grows to be 1.5 ft tall (0.5 m).Lemon catnip (Nepeta citriodora) is a free bloomer with billowy mounds of blue-violet, lavender, pink, or white flowers that are as sumptuous as its scented leaves.Lemon catnip grows to be 3 ft (0.9 m) tall.Persian catmint or Nepeta mussinii has a lavender bloom and is 15 in (38 cm) in height.Giant catnip may grow to be over 3 ft (0.9 m) tall.The blooms are violet-blue, and there are various varieties available, including ‘blue beauty.‘The blooms of Caucasian Nepeta are huge and spectacular, while Faassen’s catmint forms a thick mound of broad, blue-green leaves.Catnip plants are grown in Japan, China, Pakistan, the Himalayas, Crete, Portugal, Spain, and other places.The plant appears to grow in some form or another in practically every nation.The majority of them demand the same dry, hot conditions as ordinary catnip, but a few, such as Kashmir Nepeta, Six Hills Giant, and Japanese catmint, prefer wet, well-draining soil and may blossom in partial shade.Benefits Of CatnipThe major chemical element of catnip essential oil is nepetalactone, which is also used in cat toys. Steam distillation can be used to extract nepetalactone from catnip.Nepeta cataria is used as a decorative plant for gardens. It is also planted for its ability to attract domestic cats and butterflies.Catnip is both drought and deer-resistant. Certain insects may find it repellant.Catnip thrives in full sunshine and grows as a low, loosely branched perennial.Nepetalactone is an insect repellant. The oil extracted from catnip via steam distillation acts as an insect repellant, particularly against mosquitoes, cockroaches, and termites.According to research, while it is a more efficient spatial repellant than certain other compounds, it is not as potent as a repellent when applied to the skin.Catnip has long been used in traditional medicine to treat stomach pains, indigestion, fevers, rashes, and neurotic problems.The herb has been taken as a tisane, juice, medicine, infusion, and poultice.Several investigations revealed that leopards, cougars, wolf hybrids, and lynxes frequently reacted powerfully to catnip in a way comparable to domestic cats; lions and tigers can also react severely, although not as regularly.Consumers may buy catnip and catnip-laced toys.Catnip can soothe and calm some cats.Catnip does not affect all cats; around one-third are unaffected by the herb.Catnip can be deemed as a ’treat’ hence it’s best to give your furry friends catnip in moderation.How to Grow CatnipCatnip plants may assist in making your yard cat-friendly. The catnip plant is a perennial species of the mint family most known for its cat-attracting properties, but it may also be used to make relaxing beverages.Catnip may be grown in your garden from seeds or from plants.You must carefully prepare the seeds if you are growing catnip from seed.Catnip seeds are tough and therefore must be stratified or somewhat injured before sprouting.This may be accomplished by first freezing the seeds overnight and then putting them in a dish with water for 24 hours.The freezing procedure damages the seed coat, making it simpler for catnip seeds to grow.After stratifying the seeds, you may plant them either indoors or outdoors.After they sprout, thin them around one plant every 20 in (51 cm) and then they can be harvested in a way that you choose.
A perennial herb, the catnip plant is grown throughout the world.