Catnip lotion as effective as Deet at repelling mosquitoes, study finds

According to The Guardian, researchers testing a catnip lotion in Uganda have found it to be just as effective as Deet at repelling mosquitoes. Catnip—a common herb from the mint family—contains nepetalactone, the same compound responsible for cats' euphoria. Though the plant's insect-repelling properties have been overlooked commercially until now, this finding offers a promising, inexpensive alternative to synthetic repellents that could be produced locally.

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