PENNYROYAL
Botanical: Mentha pulegium  Family: Labiatae/Lamiaceae (mint) Other common names: Tickweed, Squaw Mint, Stinking Balm, Thickweed, Mock Pennyroyal, Mosquito Plant, Squaw Balm, American Pennyroyal, European Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal has been used for centuries to treat feverish conditions. It promotes sweat, which helps to reduce fevers and cleanse toxins from the body through the skin. The herb is also a digestive that relieves indigestion, flatulence and grumbling in the intestines (griping).

History:
Pennyroyal is a pungently aromatic, bitter, astringent herb.   It is a member of the mint family, and exact naming of the different species has been difficult, as mints interbreed so readily.  Pennyroyal is a perennial with variable growing habits and may range from a low-growing, spreading plant to a lanky upright shrub.  Its leaves are bright green and exude a strong peppermint scent, and the herb prefers rich, damp, sandy soil in sun or partial shade.  It is considered a weed in many places, and one of its folk names is "Grows-in-the-Ditch."   Pennyroyal is said to be native to Ireland, spreading across south and central Europe to the Ukraine and parts of Asia. The herb was introduced to North America centuries ago, and it grows abundantly in the wildlands of the world.  American Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegiodes ) has a long medicinal history in North America, where it was used by the native tribes and settlers alike for headaches, feverish colds, menstrual cramps and to produce abortion. Pennyroyal was listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia   from 1831 until 1915.  An herbal extract oil or tea was derived from the leaves and flowering tops of the plant and was used in folklore medicine to induce abortion and menses and to treat inflammatory conditions, chronic bronchitis, minor ailments and colic.  Mentha pulegium (European Pennyroyal) and Hedeoma pulegiodes  have a similar chemistry and are used in the same manner, but the herb carries severe warnings and should be used only under the supervision of a health care practitioner.  In Europe, the leaves of Mentha pulegium are used in herbal teas that relieve the symptoms of cold and flu and for culinary purposes as a flavoring for black pudding and sausages. Some of the constituents in Pennyroyal include volatile oils: Monoterpenes (e.g. pulegone, 3-octanone, 3-methylcyclohexanone, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, p-cymene, limonene, p-mentha-1,4(8)-diene, pulegol, menthone, isomenthone, menthofuran, isopulegone, pulegone epoxides, piperitone and piperitenone), monomeric flavonoids, 3-octylacetate, 3-octanol, 1-octen-3-ol, hedeomal, tannins and paraffins.

Beneficial Uses:
Pennyroyal is the smallest of the mint family, and has some very distinctive properties. The taste and odor of pennyroyal is stronger and far more pungent than other mints, which makes it disagreeable to many people. It also disagreeable to insects, and pennyroyal has been used as a natural insect repellant for centuries. The herb is known to be toxic when taken in large doses, and skin contact with the pure oil can cause dermatitis.

Pennyroyal has been used to promote perspiration and reduce fevers.  It is said to relieve feverish colds and the symptoms of coughs, colds and flu. The herb is said to be an expectorant that alleviates dry, hacking coughs and helps expel phlegm and chest congestion. The herb is also thought to ease whooping cough. Pennyroyal's mint properties, attributable to the menthol component, theoretically may act in dilating respiratory passages in bronchitis or asthma.

Pennyroyal is said to be good for the digestive system, relieving indigestion, colic, flatulence and nausea.

As an emmenagogue, Pennyroyal promotes and regulates menstrual flow and eases painful menstruation.  It stimulates uterine contractions and was sometimes used to ease childbirth, but the herb was also used to induce abortion and, as such, was considered extremely dangerous, often causing hemorrhaging and serious complications for the mother.  Pennyroyal's abortifacient properties are thought due to irritation of the uterus, causing contractions, but lethal doses are necessary for this to occur and the effect is inconsistent.  Therefore, it should never be used for that purpose, as amounts needed may cause death.

Contraindications:
Should be used only with medical supervision, never be taken when pregnant, or lactating women and  those suffering from kidney problems. The essential oil should never be taken internally, as it is highly toxic. External use only


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Disclaimer: The information presented herein by Organic Herbs Medicine Cabinet is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary.