what is catnip?

Question

what is catnip and what does it do?

Answer 1

An highly popular with the ancients into days age aromatic herb; that has many medicinal Actions. Also affects cats by "turning them on".

Catnip is a perennial herb. It is a member of the Mint family Labiatae, it is also a distant relation of marijuana. It is well known for it's ability to get cat's high. It is native to Europe & Asia.

Catnip become naturalised in America & Canada after being introduced. There are approximately 250 species of Catnip. Also quite a few hybrid species so more than 250. Some of the more readily available ones are:

Nepeta cataria/Nepeta camphorata/Nepeta parnassica/Nepeta cataria citriodora(lemon scent).

When sniffed, catnip will stimulate kitty, however when eaten it will act as a sedative.

Human uses:

Catnip tends to have a sedative effect on humans. It is most often drunk as a tea.

It is also useful for settling an upset stomach. It has also been used to treat headaches, scarlet fever, coughing, insomnia & smallpox.

Catnip can also be used for cuts, studies show it has a natural healing quality. Crush fresh catnip leaves, damp them & apply to your cut. **

Some other medicinal uses for catnip are: Anaesthetic, antibiotic, anti rheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, chills, cold in the joints, haemorrhoids, toothache.


Cultivation---Catmint is easily grown in any garden soil, and does not require moisture in the same way as the other Mints. It may be increased by dividing the plants in spring, or by sowing seeds at the same period. Sow in rows, about 20 inches apart, thinning out the seedlings to about the same distance apart as the plants attain a considerable size. They require no attention, and will last for several years if the ground is kept free from weeds. The germinating power of the seeds lasts five years.

Catmint forms a pretty border plant, especially in conjunction with Hyssop, the soft blues blending pleasingly, and it is also a suitable plant for the rock garden.

Answer 2

Catnip is a plant that is usually a tan/green color. Most cat toys have catnip inside to make cats entertained, basically it is like having a sweet-tooth. If you want candy, and someone gives it to you, most likely you will eat it. So if a cats owner gives them Catnip Toys, they'll be addicted to that toy because of the catnip.

Answer 3

It's kind of like kitty cocaine, but without the adverse side effects. You can get the whole scoop, in both biological and laymens terms, on Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catnip

Answer 4

i think catnip is a kind of plant or weed or something like that.

i dont really know what it does, but its something about the smell that cats just cant resist. they go CRAZY over it!!

Answer 5

It's a perennial herb related to mint. Some cats go crazy for it.

Answer 6

short and sweet :

it's an herb that you can either plant or store buy and then give it to cats. they get high on it and start running laps around the house. it does absolutely no harm to the cat.

Answer 7

Its this green stuff that looks like oregano. Cats sniff it and roll in it to get high.

Answer 8

it's like kitty weed! It makes them all hipper and they freak out. They love it!

Answer 9

cat nip is a plant that you dry and give to cats. (dont give them to much tough thell go literly CRAZY)