Is catnip the same as regular mint? Catnip is not exactly the same as regular mint. Although they belong to the same plant family, they are different varieties. Catnip, also known as cat grass or catnip grass, is a perennial herb containing volatile oils and aromatic substances. Cats have a strong attraction and excitement to the aroma of catnip, which will make them excited, active and active. Therefore, catnip is often used to make cat entertainment items such as cat toys and cat scratch boards.
Regular mint is a common vanilla plant that also contains volatile oils and aromatic substances, but its aroma and composition are different from catnip. Ordinary mint is usually used for cooking and seasoning, and has the effects of refreshing, appetizing, and aiding digestion.
Therefore, although catnip and ordinary mint belong to the family Mint family, their uses and effects are different and cannot be confused.
1. Different shapes
From the perspective of leaves, the leaves of catnip are thicker than ordinary mint, and their colors are also different. The leaves of catnip are whiter in color. If you touch them with your hands, you can feel that they are covered with a layer of fine fluff. In contrast, the leaves of mint will be brighter in color.
2. Different smells
Catmint usually smells nothing, but the scent of mint is very irritating, and it smells like a mint, giving people a cool feeling.
3. Different functions
Catnip mainly makes cats excited and vomiting, while mint is mainly used as a seasoning or spice, which can make people feel cool and eye-catching, and has no effect on cats.