| Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is in the mint family of | | | | Is Pennyroyal Safe to Use Today? |
| botanical plants. The oil is obtained through steam | | | | Pennyroyal is still current in the British Herbal |
| distillation of the fresh or dried herb. The British model | | | | Pharmacopoeia for gas and indigestion, intestinal colic, |
| of aromatherapy has declared this plant offensive so I | | | | the common cold, delayed menstruation, skin eruptions |
| wanted to investigate it to see if it has any redeeming | | | | and gout. The essential oil can be toxic, causing |
| qualities. Pennyroyal is a perennial herb that grows up | | | | nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, stimulation, and |
| to 20 inches high. It has smooth round stalks, small pale | | | | convulsions. Pennyroyal pharmaceutically causes |
| purple flowers and very aromatic oval leaves and | | | | diaphoresis and an increase in menstrual flow and has |
| fibrous creeping roots. The plant is found in humid, | | | | been used to cause abortion. The plant has been used |
| low-coastal regions along the Mediterranean Sea, and | | | | as an insect repellent against fleas and other pests. |
| grows best in fertile, moist soils with partial shade | | | | Plants and oil can cause contact dermatitis. As for |
| (14.1-8). American pennyroyal grows on dry, sandy soils | | | | safety, this writer does not recommend the use of |
| and is commercially cultivated to only a very limited | | | | pennyroyal but I thought you ought to know about its |
| extent. Pennyroyal essential oil has a scent very similar | | | | actions. Pennyroyal oil is toxic, is an abortifacient, and in |
| to peppermint. Users should expect it to be sweet and | | | | small quantities can even cause acute liver and lung |
| herbaceous. | | | | damage. Now I see why it is not recommended for |
| Traditionally pennyroyal was believed to purify the | | | | aromatherapy. |
| blood and be able to communicate its qualities to | | | | Want to know more about essential oils and how they |
| water. Pennyroyal water was distilled from the leaves | | | | can help us stay healthy? Consider becoming a |
| and given as an antidote to spasmodic, nervous and | | | | certified clinical aromatherapist. The Institute of Spiritual |
| hysterical affections. This plant gets its bad reputation | | | | Healing and Aromatherapy teaches classes |
| from the fact that it has been used for centuries to | | | | throughout the United States on aromatherapy and |
| get rid of unwanted pregnancies. | | | | energy healing. |