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Catnip Essential Oil Benefits and Uses in Aromatherapy

Primarily known as an herb loved by cats, catnip can also be made into an essential oil. One of the top catnip essential oil benefits is the oil's effectiveness in insect repellent blends due to its nepetalactone content.

Catnip herb with the words Guide To Catnip Essential Oil and Its Benefits and Uses.

Buy Catnip Essential Oil

Nepetalactone is also the herb's active ingredient that affects cats. Although the scent energizes most cats, it relaxes humans because of the difference between human brains and cat brains. However, most sources advise not to use catnip essential oil (Nepeta cataria) with cats because it is too strong for them.

Basic Catnip Facts

Plant family: ‎Lamiaceae.

Production: Steam distilled from the leaves and flowers/buds of the plant, which is a perennial herb that grows 20 to 40 inches tall and wide.

Aroma: Strongly herbaceous with a subdued mint aroma.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Middle.

Is catnip safe to use during pregnancy? No.

Is catnip essential oil safe for children? Yes, properly diluted.

Cautions: Low risk of skin sensitization. Using this essential oil in the bath presents a higher risk of causing irritation and sensitization.

Main components:

nepetalactone isomers 12.7–84%
nepetalic acid 1.2–43%
dihydronepetalactone 0–25%
beta-caryophyllene 6.2–24.6%
caryophyllene oxide 14.3–19.4%

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Ed.

Catnip Essential Oil Benefits

The benefits of catnip essential oil include:

Deeply relaxing: helps calm the mind and body; relieve stress, tension, anxiety, and depression; and encourage restful sleep by easing tension and overthinking.
Digestive system support: may ease digestive discomfort and help relieve a range of digestive complaints.
Immune system support.
Insect repellent: deters pests and insects.
Menstrual support: helps relieve cramps.
Sore muscle relief: helps relieve muscle cramps and spasms.
Skin support: comforts inflamed, tender, or irritated skin and tones and cleanses oily or acne-prone skin.

To relieve cramps/spasms, including menstrual discomfort, mix a drop or two of catnip oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil and gently massage your lower abdomen and back. Traditionally, catnip tea has been recommended for menstrual pain (and for sleep).

Sources: Penny Price Aromatherapy and The Thriving Aromatherapist

Catnip Essential Oil Uses and Blends

Use catnip for animal and elemental magic and to attract benevolent spirits, according to Mixing Essential Oils for Magic. The oil supports dream and psychic work. You can use the essential oil to attract love, friendship, beauty, happiness, and peace into your life.

Menstrual Pain Relief

From Penny Price:

1/3 cup unscented cream
2.5 teaspoon aloe vera gel
30 drops catnip essential oil
20 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
10 drops cornmint essential oil

Use this blend during the day as needed on the abdomen and small of the back.

Sleep Blends

To relieve stress and anxiety or to help with sleep, diffuse a few drops of catnip.

Diffuser Sleep Blend

2 drops catnip essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
4 drops sandalwood essential oil

Sleep-Inducing Bath Salts

1/2 cup pink Himalayan salt or any other fine-grain salt
1 tablespoon liquid castile soap
3 drops catnip essential oil
2 drops Roman chamomile essential oil

Add ingredients to a small bowl. Stir to blend well. Swirl the salts into your bath.

Adapted from Aromahead Newsletter.

Insect Repellent

One catnip study found the essential oil repels mosquitoes ten times more effectively than DEET. A 2019 catnip study also found catnip effective as an insect repellent.

However, to be effective as an insect repellent, catnip oil needs to contain a high amount of nepetalactone isomers (typically 80% or more), according to Aromatics International. So, it's important you know the composition of the oil you buy.

One way to use the essential oil to repel insects is to add a few drops to a spray bottle with water or witch hazel. Spray the blend on your arms and legs.

Bug Repellent Blend

4 ounces (1/2 cup) aloe vera gel
12 drops catnip essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops geranium essential oil
20 drops Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil

Blend ingredients. Apply to skin as needed. Avoid sensitive areas.

Source: Kelly Holland-Azzaro, "Natural Bug Repellent and Bug Bite Relief Blends." NAHA Aromatherapy Journal, Summer 2013.2, pg. 59.

Muscle Spasms and Pain

Muscle Care Oil

2 tablespoons jojoba oil
8 drops catnip essential oil
5 drops copaiba essential oil
5 drops black pepper essential oil

Combine the jojoba and essential oils in a one-ounce bottle. Shake gently. Use the massage oil on tight, achy muscles.

Shoulder Massage Oil

2 tablespoons St. John’s wort infused olive oil
8 drops catnip essential oil
5 drops bergamot mint essential oil (Mentha citrata)
2 drops cornmint essential oil (Mentha arvensis)
3 drops peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita)

Make your blend in a 1-ounce (30-ml) bottle. Combine the ingredients and shake gently to blend them.

Source: Aromahead Newsletter

About the Author

Carol Wiley is a retired massage therapist and freelance writer. She uses her deep interest in aromatherapy and essential oils to research their benefits and uses and bring you summaries and blends with links to more resources.

If you find this site useful, you can show your support by buying through my affiliate links. The site is a labor of love, and I appreciate any income that helps keep it up and running.

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