fig. 14 Nepeta cataria

Catnip

(Nepeta cataria)

Beloved by cats and quietly cherished by herbalists, catnip is a soft, fuzzy member of the mint family with a calming gift all its own. Its grey-green leaves carry a gentle, herbaceous, faintly minty aroma and a long history as a soothing bedtime herb. Where it sends cats into euphoric play, in people it tends toward the opposite — a mellow, settling ease that makes it a tender, relaxing presence in evening blends and teas.

across time

Tradition & Ritual

Long grown in cottage and monastery gardens, catnip was brewed as a comforting tea well before black tea reached European cups, valued as a homely herb of rest and calm. Folk healers steeped it for restless evenings and fretful nights, and hung bundles by the hearth. Its gentle reputation made it a quiet staple of household herbalism — the herb you reached for when the day needed softening into night.

what it offers

Scientific & Medicine

Catnip's character comes from nepetalactone, the aromatic compound that delights cats and lends people a mild, relaxing quality. Traditionally valued as a gentle calmative and a soothing tea for unwinding, it carries a soft, green, lightly minty flavor. In an evening blend it brings a mellow, settling note — quietly relaxing rather than sedating — that pairs beautifully with other restful, dreamy herbs.

the old stories

Legends & Myths

Folklore wove catnip into charms of courage and beauty: some claimed that chewing the root made the gentlest soul fierce and bold, while others held a sprig over the heart drew love near. Hung above the door, it was said to invite kind spirits and friendly luck into the home — and of course, every cottage knew it as the herb that made the household cat into a tumbling, blissful dreamer.

from the bear

Bear Originals

Catnip is my wind-down herb. I brew it on nights when my mind won't stop circling — it loosens the knots without knocking me out. And yes, my cat insists on supervising every harvest, then collapses in joyful protest beside the jar.

Cautions & Contraindications

Mildly relaxing; avoid before driving if sensitive. Not recommended during pregnancy, as it may stimulate the uterus.

fig. 14 Nepeta cataria

Botanical plate of Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

in the apothecary

Products w/ Catnip

OG Bear Blend Herbal Ceremonial Blend

Created over twenty years ago, the OG Ceremonial Blend is the foundation of Bear Blend. Ou...

$15.95

Mintz Herbal Ceremonial Blend

Balancing herbs, mint, and flowers, the Mintz is a hefty and refreshing blend. This is a m...

$16.95

OG Bear Blend Rolliez

Created over twenty years ago, the OG Ceremonial Blend is the foundation of Bear Blend. Ou...

$22.95

Mintz Rolliez

Balancing herbs, mint, and flowers, the Mintz is a hefty and refreshing blend. This is a m...

$22.95

Moon Herbal Ceremonial Blend

The Moon Ceremonial Blend is our most magical blend. With a medium effect, the Moon brings...

$15.95

Moon Rolliez

The Moon Ceremonial Blend is our most magical formulation, designed to bring balance and d...

$22.95

OG Bear Blend Liquid Herbz (Vanilla)

Vanilla Flavored Liquid Each bottle comes with 30 milliliters of OG Liquid Herbz. Created...

$19.95

Mintz Liquid Herbz (Spearmint)

Spearmint Flavored Liquid Each bottle comes with 30 milliliters of Mintz Liquid Herbz. Bal...

$19.95

Moon Liquid Herbz (Berry)

Berry Blend Flavored Liquid Each bottle comes with 30 milliliters of Moon Liquid Herbz. Th...

$19.95

Moon Herbal Chew

The Moon Ceremonial Blend is our most magical blend. With a medium effect, the Moon brings...

$11.95

Original Bear Blend Herbal Chew

The OG Blend is our most floral and aromatic blend. It has a mild relaxing and soothing ef...

$11.95

Mintz Herbal Chew

The Mintz is a perfect balance of flowers, herbs and mint. It is mildly stimulating and op...

$11.95

Moon Herbal Cigarettes

Experience the familiar ritual of smoking, completely reimagined. Moon is a soft, floral c...

$15.95

Original Herbal Cigarettes

Experience the familiar ritual of smoking, completely reimagined. Original is the floral,...

$15.95

Mintz Herbal Cigarettes

Experience the familiar ritual of smoking, completely reimagined. Mintz is our crispest, c...

$15.95

Bear Blend Original Herbal Diffuser — 2ml Disposable (Vanilla)

A prefilled 2 mL disposable diffuser featuring the Original blend — the blend that started...

$16.95

Bear Blend Mintz Herbal Diffuser — 2ml Disposable (Spearmint)

A prefilled 2 mL disposable diffuser featuring the Mintz blend — a cooling, refreshing ble...

$16.95

Bear Blend Moon Herbal Diffuser — 2ml Disposable (Berry)

A prefilled 2 mL disposable diffuser featuring the Moon blend — our most ceremonial blend,...

$16.95

Bear Blend Original Herbal Diffuser Cartridge — 1ml (Vanilla)

A 1 mL refillable 510-thread diffuser cartridge featuring the Original blend — the blend t...

$11.95

Bear Blend Mintz Herbal Diffuser Cartridge — 1ml (Spearmint)

A 1 mL refillable 510-thread diffuser cartridge featuring the Mintz blend — a cooling, ref...

$11.95

Bear Blend Moon Herbal Diffuser Cartridge — 1ml (Berry)

A 1 mL refillable 510-thread diffuser cartridge featuring the Moon blend — our most ceremo...

$11.95

Tube of Two Mintz Rolliez

Balancing herbs, mint, and flowers, the Mintz is a hefty and refreshing blend. This is a m...

$7.95

Tube of Two Moon Rolliez

The Moon Ceremonial Blend is our most magical blend. With a medium effect, the Moon brings...

$7.95

Tube of Two Original Rolliez

Created over twenty years ago, the OG Ceremonial Blend is the foundation of Bear Blend. Ou...

$7.95

Herbal Cigars

About This Product One Herbal Cigar made with an XL 3g King Palm Preroll with our propriet...

$7.95

Herbal Cigars

About This Product One Herbal Cigar made with an XL 3g King Palm Preroll with our propriet...

$7.95

Herbal Cigars

About This Product One Herbal Cigar made with an XL 3g King Palm Preroll with our propriet...

$7.95

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