Catnip (Nepeta cataria L. Lamiaceae)

Nepeta cataria L. (Catnip) belongs to the genus Nepeta of the family Lamiaceae. The genus Nepeta is represented by 279 species, and it is widespread in the world. N. cataria was first described from Europe by Linne in 1753 and it originated from Europe and Asia. N. cataria, which is a perennial herb in terms of its systematic features, is a species with an erect stem, ovate leaves, large paniculate inflorescences, and glandular hairs. Its flowering time is between June and August. N. cataria, which is an economically cultivated herb, has been grown in many regions of Europe and Asia extensively. It needs alkaline and well-drained soils for agricultural activities. The plant is known as 'catnip' because cats like the odor of the plant. But different names such as 'catmint', 'catswort', 'cold grass' are also given. It also has traditional uses. Traditional medical benefits of catnip include stomachic illnesses, respiratory diseases, and stimulant effects. In history, there are also records of British executioners chewing the leaves of this plant during execution to benefit from its hallucinogenic effect. Fresh plants contain 0.2-0.7% essential oil. Catnip is a plant that produces a variety of biologically bioactive compounds, including terpenes, steroids, phenolic acids, phenylethanoid glycosides, and flavonoids. Of these chemical components, nepetalactone, actinidine, and beta phenylethyl alcohol provide the hallucinogenic effect of the plant. Catnip has anticonvulsant, myorelaxant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-nociceptive, antimicrobial (antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal), antioxidant, anthelmintic, cytotoxic, anticancer and apoptotic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, nematocidal, trypanocidal effects. In addition to these, catnip is also used as nematocidal, insecticidal, and insect repellent. © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.