History of Cat Nip
(Nepeta cataria, Linn.)
The name Nepeta is derived from the Etruruan city of Neptic where the plant had become prominent.
The French call catnip herbe aux chats and often made a tea from catnip prior to the arrival of Chinese teas.
There is an old saying about cat mint, "If you set it the cats will eat it: if you sow it the cats won't know it." Cats are actually so attracted to catnip because the smell is similar to pheromones of cats of the opposite sex. The scent is also similar to mint which is why catnip is often called cat mint.
In a small irony, rats absolutely detest catnip which can be used as an effective barrier against them.
Some believe that, when chewed, catnip can make a person fierce and quarrelsome. One legend tells of a hangman who had trouble finding the courage to conduct his profession and was known to medicate himself with catnip to complete his task.
In yet another contradiction among our reference materials, catnip is listed as an effective sedative, particularly in children. And like so many other herbs that we have researched, catnip is listed as being effective against flatulence.
I suppose this makes sense that humans might react differently to catnip after observing how our own cats (all females) have reacted to catnip. One rolled in the dried leaves, licked any stuffed toys that contained it, and would appear to be drunk from the experience. Another cat would become highly agressive (we had to keep catnip away from her) and a third simply had no interest. One of resources suggested this differing of reactions was genetically based. Two of our cats where similar in breed, pound baby tabbies, and they were the ones who were indifferent or became agressive; both reactions being atypical of that of most cats.
A list of the reference materials and resources we have used for all of our pages can be found on our About Us page.
The French call catnip herbe aux chats and often made a tea from catnip prior to the arrival of Chinese teas.
There is an old saying about cat mint, "If you set it the cats will eat it: if you sow it the cats won't know it." Cats are actually so attracted to catnip because the smell is similar to pheromones of cats of the opposite sex. The scent is also similar to mint which is why catnip is often called cat mint.
In a small irony, rats absolutely detest catnip which can be used as an effective barrier against them.
Some believe that, when chewed, catnip can make a person fierce and quarrelsome. One legend tells of a hangman who had trouble finding the courage to conduct his profession and was known to medicate himself with catnip to complete his task.
In yet another contradiction among our reference materials, catnip is listed as an effective sedative, particularly in children. And like so many other herbs that we have researched, catnip is listed as being effective against flatulence.I suppose this makes sense that humans might react differently to catnip after observing how our own cats (all females) have reacted to catnip. One rolled in the dried leaves, licked any stuffed toys that contained it, and would appear to be drunk from the experience. Another cat would become highly agressive (we had to keep catnip away from her) and a third simply had no interest. One of resources suggested this differing of reactions was genetically based. Two of our cats where similar in breed, pound baby tabbies, and they were the ones who were indifferent or became agressive; both reactions being atypical of that of most cats.
A list of the reference materials and resources we have used for all of our pages can be found on our About Us page.