Catnip (Canada)

Nepeta cataria

Chemotype: nepetalactone-rich type

herbaceouswoodysubdued mint

PLANT PART: flowering tops
EXTRACTION: steam distillation
AROMA NOTE: middle

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What’s inside this oil?

Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.

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FOLLOW YOUR SENSES

Aroma & character

A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.

herbaceouswoodysubdued mint

Aroma intensity: 55 / 100

Soft & subtleBold & expressive

Note layer: middle

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A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY

Using it thoughtfully

Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.

Cited dermal maximum · leave-on: 3%
Phototoxicity: Not flagged in this profile
Oxidation risk: low

A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.

No furocoumarin-driven phototoxic restriction was identified for steam-distilled catnip oil.

Contraindications & cautions

minorAromaWeb states catnip essential oil poses a higher risk of irritation and sensitization when used in the bath.

Read the complete safety guide

Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches

A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT

Inside the oil

4 constituents

An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.

About this composition

This record combines a Canada-specific supplier profile for botanical identity and extraction context with directly read public catnip GC-MS data. The quantitative composition is nepetalactone-dominant, with two major nepetalactone isomers making up nearly the entire oil and only minor caryophyllene markers.

Constituent	Typical amount	Reported range	Chemical family	Source
trans,cis-nepetalactone	39.69%	39.69–39.69%	iridoid monoterpene lactone	View source Antimicrobial effects of catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) essential oil against canine skin infection pathogens https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378846020_Antimicrobial_effects_of_catnip_Nepeta_cataria_L_essential_oil_against_canine_skin_infection_pathogens (Table 1 / abstract: trans,cis-nepetalactone 39.69%)
cis,trans-nepetalactone	57.09%	57.09–57.09%	iridoid monoterpene lactone	View source Antimicrobial effects of catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) essential oil against canine skin infection pathogens https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378846020_Antimicrobial_effects_of_catnip_Nepeta_cataria_L_essential_oil_against_canine_skin_infection_pathogens (Table 1 / abstract: cis,trans-nepetalactone 57.09%)
trans-caryophyllene	1.88%	1.88–1.88%	sesquiterpene hydrocarbon	View source Antimicrobial effects of catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) essential oil against canine skin infection pathogens https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378846020_Antimicrobial_effects_of_catnip_Nepeta_cataria_L_essential_oil_against_canine_skin_infection_pathogens (Table 1 / abstract: trans-caryophyllene 1.88%)
caryophyllene oxide	1.34%	1.34–1.34%	sesquiterpene oxide	View source Antimicrobial effects of catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) essential oil against canine skin infection pathogens https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378846020_Antimicrobial_effects_of_catnip_Nepeta_cataria_L_essential_oil_against_canine_skin_infection_pathogens (Table 1 / abstract: caryophyllene oxide 1.34%)

Profile source: From Nature With Love Catnip Essential Oil (Canada); Antimicrobial effects of catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) essential oil against canine skin infection pathogens; The Maximum Dilution for 400 Essential Oils · https://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/essentialoilprofiles.asp ; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378846020_Antimicrobial_effects_of_catnip_Nepeta_cataria_L_essential_oil_against_canine_skin_infection_pathogens ; https://www.theresaneoforthat.com/maximum-dilution-for-400-essential-oils/

A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY

Traditional & reported uses

These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.

traditionally used in folk herbal traditions for calming and soothing effects
reported use in relaxation-oriented diffuser blends for an herbaceous, minty-green atmosphere
used in perfumery for a green, slightly minty, herbaceous note
traditionally associated with calming folk-remedy traditions for both humans and (famously) cats
reported use in blends intended to support a sense of calm and ease

Explore related intentionsRelaxation & Calming ↗

For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.

What we're still learning · 1 data gaps

Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.

Odor intensity 55 is a normalization of public categorical aroma-strength language ('medium'), not a native instrumented 0-100 measurement.