Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Mentha Species: M. pulegium
Binomial name
Mentha pulegium L.

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Overview

The herb Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium, family Lamiaceae), is a member of the mint genus; an essential oil extracted from it is used in aromatherapy. Crushed Pennyroyal leaves and foliage exhibit a very strong mint fragrance. Pennyroyal is a traditional folk medicine poison and abortifacient. These oils are high in pulegone, a highly toxic volatile, which can stimulate uterine activity.

Uses

Pennyroyal tea has been traditionally employed as an emmenagogue or as an abortifacient. The essential oil is extremely concentrated, and is highly toxic even in small doses. Complications have been reported from attempts to use the oil to induce abortions: in 1978, a pregnant woman died after consuming approximately two tablespoonfuls (30 ml) of Pennyroyal oil, and in 1994, another death occurred after a pregnant woman (attempting to self-abort, but with an unknown ectopic pregnancy) consumed tea containing Pennyroyal extract.

See also

• Hedeoma pulegioides — American Pennyroyal, distantly related species
• "Pennyroyal Tea" (1993), grunge rock song by Nirvana

External links

• ARKive - images and movies of the Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)

• Comprehensive profile for Mentha pulegium from the website Malta Wild Plants