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PENNYROYAL

Alternate Names: Pudding Grass, Tickweed, Squawmint, Mosquito Plant

Parts Used: Above ground portion.

Properties: Anthelmintic, Antispasmodic, Antivenomous, Aromatic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Sedative, Stimulant, Stomach Tonic, Uterine Vasodilator.

Internal Uses: Amenorrhea, Colds, Colic, Cough, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspepsia, Fever, Flatulence, Flu, Headache, Hysteria, Nausea, Placenta Delivery, Stress

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

When used as a digestive aid, it stimulates digestive secretion. Pennyroyal, when used in tea, can help promote delayed menses due to cold or trauma, as well as relieve cramps and bloating. It helps reduce fever through its diaphoretic action.

Topical Uses: Chickenpox, Diaper Rash, Gout, Hives, Insect Repellent, Itchy Skin, Leprosy, Measles, Mumps, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Psoriasis, Rash, Rheumatism, Scabies, Shingles

Topical Applications: Wash for chickenpox, diaper rash, hives, itching skin, measles, mumps, poison ivy or oak, psoriasis, scabies, shingles. Soak for gout. Bath herb for rheumatism. Essential oil is used as a bug repellent. Avoid topical use during pregnancy. Burning the dried herb is another method of repelling insects. Dried herb is used as a sachet to repel moths from stored clothing. Use in foot baths. Garlands were once worn to remedy dizziness and headaches.

Culinary uses: The nickname pudding grass is due to the fact that this herb was once used to flavor puddings.

Energetics: Pungent, Bitter, Warm.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil (pulegone, ketone [puylegone], isopulegone, menthol, limonen, piperitone), bitters, tannins.

Contraindications: Using Pennyroyal as an abortifacient may cause fetal damage or cause the placenta to implant dangerously low. Indeed, dosages needed to induce abortion are very toxic and can cause hemorrhaging, and it is not reliable as an abortifacient. Be aware that several deaths have been reported of young women ingesting essential oil of Pennyroyal as an abortifacient. Overall, avoid during pregnancy. Using any essential oil internally in quantities more than a drop or two can be dangerous.

Avoid using large doses of Pennyroyal in cases of kidney disease. Avoid in cases of heavy menstrual bleeding. May cause allergic reaction when used topically on those with very sensitive skin. Large doses may cause dizziness and lethargy.

Comments: The genus and species name in European and American varieties is from the Latin word pulex, meaning 'flea' as the plant repels fleas as well as other insects. It was once hung in rooms to deter pests. In ancient Greek times, Pennyroyal was believed to purify bad water.

The common name Pennyroyal includes the species Mentha pulegium, (the European variety) which is used interchangeably with Hedeoma pulegioides (the American variety). However, the European variety is considered more potent than the American.

-- Phil in Ks (pemccoy@yahoo.com), March 19, 2002

Answers

I like the way it smells. I planted one small plant and now it is everywhere. When we mow the grass you can smell it very strongly...

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), March 19, 2002.