Catnip Tea: What Research Shows About the Tea, Safety and Cautions
Catnip tea (Nepeta cataria): no human trials found, reference databases say avoid it in pregnancy, and it may add to drowsiness from sedatives. Plain facts and gaps.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read herbal tea and extract safety before you use anything on this page.
Check before you drink: reference databases advise avoiding catnip tea in pregnancy because it may stimulate the uterus, and warn about extra drowsiness with sedative medicines. [1][2] Children are a concern too: a toddler was reported with central nervous system depression after a large quantity of catnip. [5] Catnip tea is a herbal tea (tisane) from a mint-family plant. This page covers the tea itself and says plainly that we found no human trials of it.
What catnip tea is
Catnip, also called catmint, is Nepeta cataria L., in the mint family (Lamiaceae). The tea is made from the dried herb; the sources we read mention leaves but do not give a clear part-used statement. [2][4] There are many Nepeta species, and studies of other species do not apply to catnip. [4] Catnip tea has no tea plant leaf in it, so it is a herbal tea; see What Is Herbal Tea?. Supplement-level information is in the catnip herb page.Taste, caffeine and how to brew
| Question | What sources say |
|---|---|
| Taste | Mild, minty and herbal, in our plain description. No source we read describes the taste. |
| Caffeine per 8 fl oz (240 mL) cup | No measurement for catnip tea found. A 2024 review states that herbal teas do not contain caffeine, without naming catnip. [8] |
| Water and steeping | Proper evidence not found. No regulator monograph or study we read gives a temperature or time. See steeping time and water temperature. |
| Amount per cup | Proper evidence not found. Two reference databases rate "cupful amounts" of tea as possibly safe and high amounts, including many cups, as possibly unsafe. [1][2] |
| Cold brew / iced | Proper evidence not found. |
What research found about the tea itself
Proper evidence not found for human trials of catnip tea. The EU medicines regulator's monograph page we opened lists no catnip entry, though it does not show a full list. [9]| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form and who was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calm or sleep in people | RxList rates insomnia, anxiety, migraine, colds and other uses "insufficient evidence to rate." WebMD says human evidence is insufficient. [1][2] | Insufficient evidence | No human trial found |
| Behavior in mice | Mice given catnip as 10% of their food moved and reared more, showed more seizure susceptibility and slept for a shorter time after a sedative drug. The authors suggested an amphetamine-like action. [3] | Lab or animal only | Mice, plant in food |
| Gut and airway muscle | Catnip essential oil relaxed gut and airway tissue from rabbits and guinea pigs. [6] | Lab or animal only | Essential oil on tissue, not tea |
| Overall | A 2021 review of the Nepeta genus says more clinical trials are needed. [4] | Insufficient evidence | Genus review |
The mouse result points away from "calming", and animal findings do not predict effects in people. WebMD and RxList are reference databases that summarize other sources; we did not open their underlying papers.
Check before you drink
- Pregnancy. RxList rates catnip "likely unsafe" by mouth in pregnancy, saying it might stimulate the uterus and cause a miscarriage. [2] WebMD advises people who are pregnant to avoid it and says there are some documented adverse effects. [1] These are database statements, not trials. The NHS says there is not much research on herbal teas in pregnancy and advises no more than four cups of herbal tea a day, without naming catnip. [7] See the pregnancy tea guide.
- Breastfeeding. RxList says there is not enough reliable information and advises avoiding it. [2] See herbal tea and breastfeeding.
- Babies and children. RxList rates oral use in children "possibly unsafe" and describes one case with stomach pain, irritability and sluggishness. [2] A case report describes a toddler with central nervous system depression after "a large quantity". [5] WebMD advises against catnip tea for colicky babies. [1] See herbal tea for babies and children.
- Sedatives and other medicines. Both databases warn of too much drowsiness with sedatives such as benzodiazepines and sleep medicines, and WebMD lists some herbs (hops, kava, valerian, St. John's wort). [1][2] RxList adds a moderate lithium interaction (it says catnip may act like a diuretic). [2] The mouse study found the opposite effect with one sedative, a shorter sleep, so the real effect in people is unknown. [3] Ask a pharmacist; see medicine interactions.
- Surgery. RxList says to stop at least two weeks before scheduled surgery. [2] See herbal tea before surgery.
- Periods. RxList says to avoid catnip with pelvic inflammatory disease and says it may worsen heavy periods. [2]
- Allergy and stomach upset. WebMD lists drowsiness, upset stomach, vomiting, and allergic reactions, mostly in people allergic to other mint-family plants. [1]
- Liver, kidney, iron, lead and other metals, very hot drinks: not described for catnip tea in the sources we read. "Not described" is not proof of none.
Tea, capsule or extract?
Catnip is also sold as tincture, capsules and an essential oil used as an insect repellent. Results for oils or extracts do not carry over to tea. See the herb page and tea vs tincture vs capsule.Buying and storing
- Look for the Latin name Nepeta cataria on the label; see reading a label. Pet-toy catnip is not made for people.
- Storage and shelf life: see storing herbal tea.
Related pages
What research found and what to check: Catnip Tea
Findings about drinking the tea itself, kept apart from capsules, extracts and concentrated supplements. Each card says what was studied, in whom, and how strong the evidence is.
Catnip tea and calm or sleep
Not enough evidenceWe found no human trials of catnip tea for relaxing or sleeping. Reference databases rate these uses 'insufficient evidence'. A mouse study found stimulant-like effects, not calming ones.
Supplements: No human trial of the tea found; database statements are not trials.
Catnip in mice: stimulant-like behavior
Lab or animal research onlyMice fed catnip as 10% of their food moved and reared more, showed more seizure susceptibility, and slept for a shorter time after a sedative drug. The authors suggested an amphetamine-like action.
Supplements: Lab or animal only.
Catnip essential oil on gut and airway muscle (oil only)
Lab or animal research onlyCatnip essential oil relaxed gut tissue from rabbits and airway tissue from guinea pigs, which the authors link to its traditional use for colic and cough.
Supplements: Lab or animal only.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body systems (1)
- Reproductive HealthDocumented risk
Reference databases advise avoiding catnip in pregnancy because it may stimulate the uterus; these are database statements, not trials.
Body parts (1)
- Reproductive OrgansDocumented risk
Possible uterine stimulation is the reason databases give for avoiding it in pregnancy.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
Databases warn of extra drowsiness with sedatives and a possible lithium interaction.
Conditions & symptoms (3)
- Infantile ColicDocumented risk
WebMD advises against catnip tea for colicky babies because few studies exist on infant safety.
- MenorrhagiaDocumented risk
RxList says catnip may worsen heavy menstrual periods.
- Pelvic Inflammatory DiseaseDocumented risk
RxList advises avoiding catnip with pelvic inflammatory disease.
Documented risks and interactions (5)
- Catnip tea in pregnancy. RxList rates oral catnip 'likely unsafe' in pregnancy because it may stimulate the uterus and cause a miscarriage; WebMD advises people who are pregnant to avoid it. Neither gives a trial.
- Catnip tea with sedatives and other medicines. WebMD and RxList warn of extra drowsiness with sedatives and sleep medicines; RxList also lists a moderate lithium interaction (catnip may act like a diuretic). In mice catnip shortened sleep after one sedative, so the effect in people is unclear.
- Catnip for babies and children. RxList rates oral use in children 'possibly unsafe' (one case of stomach pain, irritability and sluggishness). A case report describes a toddler with central nervous system depression after a large quantity of catnip. WebMD advises against it for colicky babies.
- Catnip before surgery, and periods. RxList says to stop catnip at least two weeks before scheduled surgery (it may add to anesthesia drowsiness), to avoid it with pelvic inflammatory disease, and that it may worsen heavy periods.
- Allergy and stomach upset. WebMD lists drowsiness, upset stomach, vomiting and allergic reactions, mainly in people allergic to other mint-family plants.
Frequently asked questions
Does catnip tea help you sleep or calm down?
We found no human trials. [2] A mouse study found stimulant-like effects, not calming ones. [3]
Is catnip tea safe in pregnancy?
Reference databases advise avoiding it because it may stimulate the uterus. [1][2] Ask your clinician.
Can I drink catnip tea with sleeping pills or sedatives?
Databases warn of extra drowsiness. [1][2] Ask a pharmacist before combining them.
Is catnip tea safe for children?
RxList rates it possibly unsafe, and one toddler was reported with central nervous system depression after a large quantity. [2][5] Ask a pediatrician.
Does catnip tea have caffeine?
We found no measurement for catnip tea. A review says herbal teas do not contain caffeine, without naming catnip. [8]
References
- WebMD. Catnip tea: uses, side effects, interactions. Medically reviewed 7 February 2025. Reference database. Read 2026-10-24.
- RxList. Catnip. Reference database, no review date shown. Read 2026-10-24.
- Massoco CO, et al. Behavioral effects of acute and long-term administration of catnip (Nepeta cataria) in mice. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1995. PubMed 8588288. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- Sharma A, Cooper R, Bhardwaj G, Cannoo DS. The genus Nepeta: traditional uses, phytochemicals and pharmacological properties. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;268. PubMed 33307050. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- Osterhoudt KC, et al. Catnip and the alteration of human consciousness. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1997;39(6). PubMed 9397511. Case report, one toddler. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- Chemical composition and mechanisms underlying the spasmolytic and bronchodilatory properties of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;121(3). PubMed 19041706. Abstract read 2026-10-24.
- NHS. Foods to avoid in pregnancy. Read 2026-10-24.
- Huda HS, et al. Exploring the ancient roots and modern global brews of tea and herbal beverages: a comprehensive review. Food Sci Nutr. 2024. Read 2026-10-24.
- European Medicines Agency. European Union monographs and list entries. Page read 2026-10-24; it names no catnip entry but does not show the full list.