Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, belongs to the mint family and hails from Europe and Asia. The name 'Nepeta' possibly derives from Italy's Nepete town, while 'cat' in 'cataria' hints at its attraction to cats. Unlike our whiskered pals, humans don't undergo euphoric effects with catnip due to distinct brain structures. Nevertheless, Native Americans historically turned to it for relieving infant colic, and it doubles as a gentle sedative in certain herbal teas.