Herb Collection
Catnip can Arouse and Soothe Cats
A kind of mint
Kitties love playing with catnip, native from southeast Europe to parts of China. Also called catmint, it sedates and relaxes — whether for kitties or in teas for humans. The active organic compound nepetalactone mimics a hormone that stimulates arousal in about two-thirds of felines (alternatives).
Catnip won’t get humans high, but some people use it in teas to soothe the mind and the stomach. The ability to respond to catnip requires a threshold of several genes together, like human eye color. Several wild cats like leopards and cougars react in kind, though lions and tigers are less consistent.
Nomenclature: Nepeta cataria Tastes: Woodsy, grassy, mint, and citrus Uses: Tea, feline treats, folk medicine
Recipe: Cat Treats
Ingredients: Catnip, tuna, flour, wheat flour, wheat germ, and egg. See link.