Nepeta is a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. The members of this group are known as catnip or catmint because of the purported effect on cats - nepeta pleasantly stimulates cats' pheromonic receptors, typically resulting in temporary euphoria and because of its corruption of the Greek word kalaminthos 'catmint, mint'. According to traditional herb medicine, catnip tends to have a sedative effect on humans. Oil isolated from catnip by steam distillation is a repellent against insects, in particular mosquitoes, cockroaches and termites. Research suggests that in a test tube, distilled nepetalactone, the active ingredient in catnip, repels mosquitoes ten times more effectively than DEET, the active ingredient in most insect repellents,but that it is not as effective a repellent when used on the skin. Additionally, catnip and catnip-laced products designed for use with domesticated cats are available to consumers.