Is Catnip Oil The Same As Catnip?

The common names catnip and catmint are sometimes, but not always, used interchangeably to refer to Nepeta cataria.. As with all essential oils, it’s important to confirm the botanical name of the essential oil that you are working with.

What is catnip oil used for?

Catnip essential oil is ideal for inhalation and topical blends. Use it for muscles, joints, the head, throat, stress relief, relaxation, sleep, repelling bugs, and for protecting your emotional state from frustrating or irritating influences.

Can you use catnip oil for cats?

In the case of catnip essential oil, pet parents would be relieved to know that this natural oil, in its diluted form, is safe to use for their cats. You can use it for your pet provided that they have the sensitivity to its scent.

Is there such a thing as catnip oil?

Our catnip essential oil is steam distilled from the leaf and flower of Nepeta cataria. It is a middle note with an herbaceous, green scent. Catnip oil can encourage a relaxed state of mind in people, though it is very strong and should never be used around our feline friends.

What is catnip oil made of?

Catnip oil is made from the catnip plant (Nepeta cataria), which goes by the name catmint. This member of the mint family grows wild as a weed but could be found in herb gardens as well. Once oil extracted, the essential oil has a pale yellow or orange color with a slightly minty aroma.

Is catnip oil safe for humans?

and Warnings. Catnip is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in small amounts. Cupful amounts of catnip tea have been consumed without serious side effects. However, catnip is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when smoked or taken by mouth in high doses (many cups of catnip tea, for example).

What is the human equivalent of catnip?

A human analog that causes similar effects [as catnip on cats], as in a comparable high, would be LSD or marijuana.

Can a cat overdose on catnip?

Be mindful of overindulgence though—cats are unlikely to overdose on catnip, but they can get sick if they eat too much. Trust your kitty to know when they’ve had enough.

What does catnip oil smell like?

Catnip Essential Oil smells herbaceous with a subdued mint aroma.

Is catnip oil safe for kittens?

Is catnip safe for cats? There’s no evidence that catnip is harmful to cats or young kittens. However, if they eat a lot of the fresh or dried catnip leaves, they can get an upset tummy along with vomiting or diarrhea.

What is Greek catnip oil?

Catnip essential oil is produced through steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops of the plant. It is important to know the botanical name of the oil you want to buy as there is also a Nepeta parnassica, which is Greek catnip, and not the same oil at all.

Does catnip really repel mosquitoes?

The essential oil of catnip may be 10 times more potent than standard insect repellents in fighting off mosquitoes. Researchers at Iowa State University compared the essential oil of catnip, called nepetalactone, to Diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), which is the main ingredient in many commercial insecticides.

Does catnip work as a mosquito repellent?

Researchers report that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET — the compound used in most commercial insect repellents.

How do you give a cat catnip oil?

How to Best Use Catnip?

1. Rub catnip into your cat’s scratching post to encourage use.
2. Place catnip in toys to promote active play and exercise.
3. Sprinkle catnip in a new environment to encourage shy cats to be comfortable and help cat-to-cat introductions go smoothly.

How do you make catnip oil spray?

To make a catnip spray, start by bringing a pot of water to a boil and letting it cool for a minute or 2. Next, add 1 tablespoon of fresh catnip or 1 teaspoon of dried catnip leaves to the water. Then, leave the catnip in the water for 5-7 minutes before removing it and allowing the water to cool to room temperature.

Can you make catnip stronger?

According to the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, catnip’s aroma increases when grown in a sandy medium, which also helps control its invasiveness. By planting the catnip in an alkaline, sandy medium and burying the pot outside, you get maximum-strength catnip without the spreading.

Does catnip have any benefits for humans?

Historically, catnip was used for diarrhea, gas, and stomach cramps. It’s said to relieve muscle spasms in the intestinal tract. Drinking catnip tea may soothe the digestive system. Many groups of people have traditionally used catnip tea to relieve infants’ colic and help babies to sleep at night.

Is catnip a stimulant or depressant?

It contains a chemical called nepetalactone in its leaves and stems that can impact your cat’s behavior. When cats are exposed to nepetalactone by smell, it acts as a stimulant, causing some cats to have an uptick in activity. When ingested, nepetalactone has a sedative effect.

Is catnip a hallucinogen?

In the 1960s, catnip was occasionally used as a substitute for marijuana, with some users claiming it caused hallucinations and euphoria when smoked by humans. Eventually, though, scientists determined this was not the case. It does, however, have one positive effect.

Can I give my cat catnip everyday?

Catnip doesn’t have to be a daily thing. While we might be tempted to offer our feline friends a little nightcap at the end of each day, it may be best to hold back. While there’s no general agreed-upon consensus on how much too much, try to limit your kitty’s exposure to catnip to once a week.

Can I use my cats catnip for tea?

Is Catnip safe? Absolutely, cats really enjoy this safe, non-addictive herb from the mint family. Effects only lasts 5 to 15 minutes. People used to use catnip to brew tea to soothe upset stomachs.