-
Catnip is a member of the
mint family (Labiatae) - Nepeta cataria or Nepeta vulgaris- They look so
much alike.
- Catnip is a perennial herb of the mint family. Its erect, square, branching stem is hairy and grows from 3 to 5 feet high. The leaves have scalloped edges and gray or whitish hairs on the lower side. The flowers are white with purple spots and grow in spikes from June to September.
- Catnip prefers sites with full sun, well-drained soil and adequate moisture. This herb can be seeded and grown in a greenhouse or hotbed until plants are the proper size for transplanting.
- Catnip is then transplanted to the field mechanically or by hand once all danger of frost has passed. Small seed size, slow germination and poor ability to compete with weeds makes direct seeding to the field difficult.
- Catnip has few insect and disease pests. Because catnip is a poor competitor with other plants, weeds are the greatest threat to production. Since there are no herbicides labeled for this crop, hand weeding and cultivation are the main techniques for weed control.
- Cutting can be accomplished by hand or with a side bar cutter mower. Some growers gather the crop using a standard baler once stems have dried sufficiently. Harvested plants are dried naturally in the shade or with an artificial dryer. Further drying and processing may be required, depending on the buyer and use.
- Nepetalactone is the volatile oil produced from this plant. This is what actually gives the plant its distinct odor. Veterinarians believe it to be similar to the hormone naturally produced by female cats when they need to find a mate. This may be why about 50% of cats at the reproductive age respond to the toys stuffed with catnip and the kittens and very old cats never do.
- Most often thought of as a stimulant for cats, catnip also has a number of properties beneficial to humans. Once used as a folk remedy for a wide variety of medical problems, today its essential oils are used in a number of pharmaceutical products.
- Catnip is one of the traditional cold and flu remedies. It is a useful diaphoretic helpful in any feverish condition, especially acute bronchitis. As a carminative with anti-spasmodic properties, Catnip eases any stomach upsets, dyspepsia, flatulence and colic. It is a perfect remedy for the treatment of diarrhea in children. Its sedative action on the nerves adds to its generally relaxing properties.
- Catnip is marketed for cats in stuffed toys, catnip filled balls, compressed pellets and in shaker bottles. Most commercial catnip for toys is of a lower grade, consisting of dried, ground-up stalks, as well as leaves. However, the most aromatic portions of the plant are the blossoms and leaves. Strong marketing skills are essential for success with a niche product like catnip.
- Potential producers would need to have a marketing agreement in line before producing large amounts of a thinly traded crop like catnip for wholesale. Producers with creativity and good marketing skills may be able to capture a niche of the pet supplies market, which comprises about 20 percent of the more than $30 billion that U.S. pet owners spend on their animals.
| General Information - Nepeta or Catnip
- Nepetalactone Chemical
- Catnip Source
- Catnip Herb Information
- Catmint Herb
- Catnip Plant Information
- Nepeta Cataria Photos
Production , Growth and Cultivation - Production of Catnip in North Carolina
- Herb Production in Organic Systems
- Medicinal Plant Production
- Potential for Podophyllotoxin Production
- Catnip Propagation
- Growth of Catmint
- Growth of Catnip
- Cultivation of Nepeta Cataria
- Catnip Cultivation
- Cultivation of Catmint
- Cultivation of Nepeta faassenii
- Catnip Harvesting
- Harvesting Catnip
Extraction, Functions and Properties - Oil of Catnip by Supercritical Fluid Extraction
- Metabolism of Nepetalactone and Related Compounds in Nepeta Cataria
- Bioprospecting for Podophyllotoxin
- Herbs Property Chat
- Properties of Catnip
- Effect of Natural Mulches on Crop Performance and Biochemical Constituents of Catnip
Nursery and Growers - Mountain Valley Growers
- Horsford Gardens and Nursery
- Matanuska Alaskan Catnip
- Garden Centre
- Missouri Botanical Garden's
- Mothers Herb
- Nichols Gardens
Consultants - Herbalist and Alchemist
- May Roberta Berenbaum
- Earl D. Mitchell
- Jacintha S. Cauffield
Material Safety Data Sheet - Catnip
- Catnip Herb
- Catnip Oil
- SunRose Aromatics
- Catnip Essential Oil
Patent - Process for Liquid Catnip Aromas
- Method of Making Herbal Drink
- Refillable Catnip Toys for Cat
- Object Impregnated with Catnip for Attracting a Cat
- Catnip Encased Pet Toy
- Refillable Catnip Toy
| Products - Catnip Essential Oil
- Catnip -Capsules
- Catnip Oil
- Catnip Tincture
- Catnip Products
- Colorado Catnip Toys
- List of Catnip Products
Applications - Medicinal Uses of Nepeta Cataria
- Application of Catnip
- Health Benefits of Catnip
- Herbal remedies using Catmint
- Medicinal Value of Catnip
- Clinical Uses of Catnip
- Catnip Edible Uses
- Catmint Applications
Manufacturers and Suppliers - Catnip Suppliers
- Swallowtail Garden Seeds Suppliers
- Dave's Garden
- Kooky Kat Catnip Company
- Catnip Whole Salers
- Trade Leads of Catnip
- Gourmet Nutrition
Market - Oregan Market
- Catnip UK Market
- Catmint Market and Market Potential
- Certified Organic Versus Non-Organic Budgets for Catnip Herb
- Growing Medicinal Herb and Spices for Market
- Improving the Quality of Organic Herb Production
- Herb/Spice Industry Marketing
Report - Medicinal Herb Production
- Third National Small Farm Conference
- Catnip Attracts Cats and Repels Pests
- Potential in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
- Catnip Repels Mosquitoes More Effectively Than DEET
- Catnip (Nepeta cataria)"Poisoning" in Cats
Guides - Guide for Growing Catnip
- Ohio Perennial & Biennial Weed Guide
- Essential Oils A Guide to Plant Extracts
- Herb Marketing Useful Links
- Catnip and Catnip Affects FAQ
- Catnip Gardening Guidelines
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