Pennyroyal Herb Profile
Also known as- Mentha pulegium, Mosquito Plant, Squaw Balm, Squawmint, Tickweed, Run by the Ground, Lurk in the Ditch, and Pudding Grass
Introduction
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's also disagreeable to insects, and pennyroyal has been used as a natural insect repellant for centuries. Pennyroyal tea is often used to treat digestive complaints, but its most well-known folk medicine use is as an abortifacient.
Pennyroyal is widely used in both Europe and North America, where Native Americans used it as a ïhousehold remedy' for digestion, colds, fever, painful menstruation and childbirth. Recently, the use of pennyroyal oil in products has become controversial when products using the oil were implicated in the deaths of two women. The herb is known to be toxic when taken in large doses, and skin contact with the pure oil can cause dermatitis.
Constituents
pulegone,isopulegone, menthol, isomenthone, limonene, piperitone, neomenthol, bitters and tannins.
Parts Used
Aerial parts, especially young leaves and flowers
Preparations
Typically used as a tea infusion, and seldom found in extract and capsule form. The oil be used in cosmetics and for topical application.
Summary
Pennyroyal has been used for centuries in teas and infusions to help treat digestive disorders and relieve flatulence. It is still often used in salads and as a flavoring herb, though less often than other mint herbs. Like many herbs, it should be used with caution by pregnant women, and in recommended doses. The volatile oils can be toxic, and large doses of pennyroyal should be avoided.
Percautions
Since it induces contractions, pennyroyal should not be used by pregnant women. In addition, pennyroyal products have been implicated in at least two deaths due to liver malfunctions, which leads some authorities to strongly suggest that pennyroyal oil should not ever be taken internally.
