Have you heard of catnip before? You may have heard rumours that in can get cats high. Therein lies the question: if it gets cats high, is it bad for them? If you’re a cat lover, then you probably already know that cats and other felines go wild if they eat this perennial herb. It only takes a few sniffs for your cat to enter into a state of delirium. There’s no denying they love it, but what about humans? There are actually many health benefits of catnip that may surprise you. Read this article if you want to learn more!
What is Catnip?
Catnip, scientifically called Nepeta cataria, is a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae plant family of North America and Europe. Other names for it include catwort, catmint and balm. All kind of cats, domesticated cats, tigers, lions, go high and wild for catnip’s minty scent.
Catnip has spines of tiny, white, purple-dotted flowers. The stem and leaves possess a capricious oil known as nepetalactone. Both the leaves and the flowers are valuable for their medicinal purposes. In fact, nepetalactone may trigger the sensory neurons in a lot of cats, literally attracting them to the plant. This is why you often find cat toys stuffed with this herb.
The nepetalactone in the catnip is the same as the valepotriates in the valerian herb. This is the reason why cats consume catnip – it has a distinct sedative effect. There is also lemon catnip, which entices cats with its citrusy scent and calms them when they eat it.
What Does Catnip Do to Cats?
As what we have mentioned, cats’ genetic makeup is what makes them so vulnerable to the herb’s effects. About 50% of cats between the ages of 3-6 months old will get noticably high from it. The effect usually lasts for about 10 minutes, and behaviours include:
- Aggression
- Vocalizations
- Drooling
- Head shaking
- Head rubbing
- Purring
- Jumping
- Rolling
Some cats will display this behavior after smelling catnip, while the others will just become mellow. Other reactions may start as delirium, but can end up as violent playfulness. No matter how your cat reacts, though, it won’t last long.
Health Benefits
As suggested earlier, cats aren’t the only ones who benefit from catnip; humans do, too. Below are some of the most astounding health benefits:
- Helps soothe skin. Drinking catnip tea may help treat skin troubles. The herb may help calm the nervous system and act as a natural treatment for hives, which are often caused by stress. This is one of the best health benefits of catnip.
- Reduces tension and boosts sleep. If you are struggling with sleep deprivation, catnip can help. Various health professionals recommend it as a mild sedative for those struggling with nervous exhaustion and insomnia. Thanks to the nepetalactone in it, it may have sedative-like effects. This is why it may help with sleep troubles and tension headaches.
- Relieving coughs. Catnip has been historically used in traditional medicine as a natural cough remedy. One study on animal tissue concluded that it had muscle relaxant abilities and antispasmodic properties. Another study suggests that it is important for bronchodilators, as it can treat coughs and asthma.
- Reduces stress. Just like the valerian herb, chamomile and lemon balm, catnip is traditionally used for its calming effect on humans. drinking catnip tea may be beneficial in reducing stress.
Cautions
Generally, catnip is safe for adults in small amounts, like in tea. Still, it may be not safe if taken in high doses. Catnip is unsafe for children, causing side effects such as vomiting, sluggishness, irritability, headaches and stomach pain.
