My cat really goes crazy over catnip, is it dangerous?

Catnip is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family Labiatae. Catnip is known in scientific nomenclature as "Nepeta cataria". The plant is a weed-like mint that is now native in North America and Canada after being introduced from its native Mediterranean soil. Some cats go crazy for catnip. Why? Is it harmless? Read this updated FAQ to find out.