Medicinal Plants : Mentha pulegium

Name

Pennyroyal

Biological Name

Mentha pulegium, Hedeoma pulegioides
Labiatae

Other Names

Pennyroyal, American Pennyroyal, European Pennyroyal, tickweed, sqaw mint, stinking balm, thickweed, mock pennyroyal, mosquito plant, squaw balm

Parts Used

Aerial parts,oil

Active Compounds

Volatile oil, consisting mainly of pulegone, isopulegone, menthol, isomenthone, limonene, piperitone, neomenthol.

Miscellaneous; bitters and tannins.

Remedies For

Carminative, diaphoretic, stimulant, emmenagogue.

With its richly aromatic volatile oil, Pennyroyal will ease flatulence and abdominal colic due to wind. It will relax spasmodic pain and ease anxiety. Its main use is as an emmenagogue to stimulate the menstrual process and to strengthen uterine contractions. Avoid using during pregnancy. The oil should be avoided as it can act far too strongly.

CAUTION: Avoid during pregnancy.

Dosage

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried leaves and let infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Tincture: take l-2 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Safety

CAUTION: Avoid during pregnancy.

No other information available. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.