Why You’ll Reach for Catnip Essential Oil
Catnip essential oil is best known for its natural insect-repellent reputation, but its value goes beyond function alone. Its aroma is fresh, green, and softly wild—less sharp than citronella, less bright than lemongrass, and often easier to integrate into elegant, everyday blends.
For customers seeking a more refined outdoor essential oil, catnip brings together practical purpose and understated aromatic character. It works beautifully in diffuser blends, room sprays, and outdoor formulas where you want a herbal profile that feels considered rather than harsh.
For customers seeking a more refined outdoor essential oil, catnip brings together practical purpose and understated aromatic character. It works beautifully in diffuser blends, room sprays, and outdoor formulas where you want a herbal profile that feels considered rather than harsh.
How to Use
Diffusion: Add 3–4 drops to a diffuser to create a fresh, herbaceous atmosphere.
Outdoor blend: Dilute into a carrier oil, balm, or body spray base for outdoor use.
Room spray: Add a few drops into a properly formulated spray base for entryways, balconies, or living spaces.
Topical use: Dilute to 2–4% in a carrier oil or unscented lotion before applying to skin.
Bath or shower ritual: Blend with a suitable dispersant or body product for a greener, more grounding aromatic profile.
Outdoor blend: Dilute into a carrier oil, balm, or body spray base for outdoor use.
Room spray: Add a few drops into a properly formulated spray base for entryways, balconies, or living spaces.
Topical use: Dilute to 2–4% in a carrier oil or unscented lotion before applying to skin.
Bath or shower ritual: Blend with a suitable dispersant or body product for a greener, more grounding aromatic profile.
Specifications
Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria L.
Extraction Method: Steam distillation of aerial parts
Plant Part:Flowers and aerial parts (leaves, stems)
Botanical Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Origin: Canada
Fragrance Family: Herbaceous-mint
Aromatic Scent: Fresh, herbaceous, with subtle mint, floral, and woody undertones
Aromatic Note: Middle note
Aromatic Strength: Medium to strong
Shelf Life: 2-3 years (Stored in a dry & shaded place)
Extraction Method: Steam distillation of aerial parts
Plant Part:Flowers and aerial parts (leaves, stems)
Botanical Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Origin: Canada
Fragrance Family: Herbaceous-mint
Aromatic Scent: Fresh, herbaceous, with subtle mint, floral, and woody undertones
Aromatic Note: Middle note
Aromatic Strength: Medium to strong
Shelf Life: 2-3 years (Stored in a dry & shaded place)
Safety
Suitable for pregnant and nursing mothers, and children (when diluted)
Environmentally safe and suitable for pet areas (avoid direct contact or ingestion)
For external use only; avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas
Patch test recommended prior to use for sensitive skin
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat to maintain freshness
Environmentally safe and suitable for pet areas (avoid direct contact or ingestion)
For external use only; avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas
Patch test recommended prior to use for sensitive skin
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat to maintain freshness
FAQs
Catnip essential oil is commonly used in natural insect-repellent blends, diffuser blends, room sprays, and outdoor aromatherapy formulations. It is also valued for its fresh, herbaceous scent and calming aromatic character.
It is widely associated with natural insect-repellent use because of its nepetalactone content, which is one of the oil’s key differentiating constituents.
Catnip smells greener and softer, citronella is sharper and more recognisable, and lemongrass is brighter and more citrus-led. The best choice depends on whether you want a more refined herbal profile or a more familiar outdoor scent.
No. Like other essential oils, it should be diluted before topical use.
Avoid direct use on pets unless the formula is specifically designed for pet safety and professional guidance has been taken. Essential oil safety for pets differs from the safety of the dried catnip plant.
A Little History
Catnip essential oil comes from Nepeta cataria, a mint-family herb native to Europe and parts of Asia. Traditionally used in herbal remedies and teas, it later spread to North America, where modern research highlighted its distinctive aromatic compound, nepetalactone, and its natural insect-repelling reputation.
