Catnip Turns Out to Have a Hidden Effect You Probably Don't Know About

Perennial herb catnip, also known as Nepeta cataria, is an irresistible treat that many members of the feline family enjoy.

Many cats will tear and crumple the leaves, prompting researchers to investigate the purpose of this wanton destruction.

The act of pure hedonism may have a more therapeutic purpose. According to a new study, the cat gets a natural pesticide when the leaves are damaged.

While N. cataria is the most commonly recognized cat intoxicant, a number of plants, including valerian and silver vine, contain compounds that induce odd behaviors in cats.

The two chemicals nepetalactol and nepetalactone are produced by plants and are used to ward off insect attacks.

There is a cascade of responses that make a quick roll in the leaves impossible to ignore.

The cat's actions bruise the leaves of silver vine and catnip enough to release enough nepetalactone and nepetalactol to repel the mosquito.

The researchers wanted to know if the biting and chewing behaviors gave additional benefits, or if they were just a sign of the cat's exuberance.

Sixteen healthy lab cats participated in the study, which involved watching their behavior as samples of intact, crumpled, and torn catnip and silver vine leaves were placed in front of their cages.

A range of other tests were conducted on the efficiency of various plant extracts and iridoid mixture as a mosquito deterrent, and the concentrations of volatile compounds around cat- damaged leaves.

The extra damage done by ripping at the leaves helped the party start a lot quicker.

According to Masao Miyazaki, an animal behavior researcher from Iwate University in Japan, physical damage of silver vine by cats promoted the immediate emission of total iridoids, which was 10 times higher than from intact leaves.

The mix of iridoids was more complex in torn silver vine leaves, making it more potent at lower concentrations.

Cats who were exposed to these combinations were affected for a longer period of time, suggesting their biology has been adjusted to maximize the silver vine's effectiveness.

Nepetalactol accounts for 90 percent of the iridoids in intact leaves, but only 45 percent in damaged leaves.

A longer response was promoted by the altered iridoid mixture.

In the animal kingdom, it's not unusual to use naturally-occurring insecticides stolen from plants.

We humans have been waving chrysanthemum extracts for generations to keep the bugs at bay, while other birds and animals have anointed themselves withCitrus leaves for similar ends.

Few seem to derive the same pleasure from their protection. The cats seem to be on top of things.

The research was published in a journal.