Catnip, also called catmint, is an herb that is, as its name suggests, very attractive to cats. It is a member of the mint family. Catnip leaves and stems are fuzzy, like sage.

Easy to cultivate, catnip will spread rapidly, like any mint. If the leaves are crushed or bruised, an aromatic volatile oil will be released, and it will quickly attract any cat in the vicinity, who will eat the bruised plant. If growing catnip in your garden, you may need to protect it with wire mesh.

Catnip has long been a specific remedy for colds, bronchitis and insomnia. Prepare an infusion of catnip by steeping the herb in water which has been boiled. The active ingredients of catnip are quickly dissipated, so do not boil the water with the catnip, and cover the pot to retain the steam. Catnip has an antispasmodic effect, and is therefore useful against diarrhea, cramps and colic. It is mild enough to give to children.

Catnip can be added to salads as a savory green. If growing catnip to dry for home use, collect the top of the plant when it is in full flower and dry it hanging in bunches, out of the reach of any household cats. Certain properties in catnip have been shown to be effective at repelling insects, another reason why you might like to have some growing in your garden. There is even recent research that shows that wood treated with catnip essential oil will not be bothered by termites, although the effects are so far short lived, due to the volatile nature of the oil.

If purchasing dried catnip for your own use, you will want to store it in the refrigerator or even the freezer if you have cats. Cats can smell catnip through the stoutest of plastic, and have been known to climb onto shelves, open cabinets and even open drawers to get to it. Let them have a bit of it by putting a few teaspoons into the end of an old sock and tying it closed. They will have the sock in shreds in no time, and it can be quite hilarious to watch.