It would be hard to guess how long cats have known about catnip (Nepeta cataria) but people have appreciated it for at least 2000 years. The plant was familiar to early Roman cooks and physicians and has long been a part of people's garden and health repertoires. The Plant was introduced to North America for Europe, where it  quickly escaped from the gardens and spread across the continent, to be used by native Indians and included in their inventory of  useful plants. There is a good reason for its common name. The bruised foliage, whose odor  has a strong mint-like aroma, stimulates cats and makes then "full of life". It is often enjoyed as a tea for its soothing relaxing benefits.