The leaves should be gathered when dry and fully grown. They should then be thoroughly dried in the sun and kept protected from the night air. Catnip bears little clusters of whitish flowers with small purple dots. The downy, heart-shaped leaves are green above and whitish below. Catnip received its name because cats like to roll and play in the leaves.
Some cats also enjoy eating catnip leaves, which are perfectly safe.
Harvest flowering tops, the most potent part of the catnip plant, for drying, usually in July and September. For storage, the plants should not be tied in bundles, but kept in paper bags in dry places so that they may retain their color and fragrance properties as much as possible. Catnip can be used to add an unusual flavor to sauces, soups and stews, and be used as an herbal tea. When only the leaves or blossoms are used, it is only necessary to make an infusion by pouring boiling water over them in a pre-heated pot. When the stems are used, the tea should be steeped about 5 minutes.