Catnip is a member of the mint family that is original to Eurasia and
now widely naturalized in many other parts of the world, including North
America. The herb has a long history of use as a carminative and
diaphoretic, among other things, most often prepared as a tea or
tincture. The primary constituent in the herb that is responsible for
many of its actions is an organic compound called nepetalactone.
Nepetalactone is also responsible for the insect-repelling properties
of catnip. Researchers at Iowa State University have conducted several
studies on the effects of catnip essential oil and found that the
chemical nepetalactone is more effective at repelling mosquitoes than
DEET and at lower concentrations.†
† "150 Points of Pride", by Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
