- Description
- Benefits
- Directions
- Test Report
- Recipes
Pennyroyal is a plant in the mint family, and is widespread in Europe and North Africa. Historically, it has been a popular cooking herb, though its use has decreased in modern times.
While the pennyroyal plant has many uses, including as a pest repellent, Pennyroyal Essential Oil contains high amounts of pulegone, a compound with known health concerns. For this reason, therapeutic use of pennyroyal essential oil requires particular care, and aromatherapy use of Pennyroyal Essential Oil should be limited.
NOTE: Use of Pennyroyal Essential Oil is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Ingestion of this oil is considered to be dangerous, and needs to be highly diluted (at 1% or less) if being used topically.
Blends Well With: Citronella, Rosemary, Sage, Peppermint, Spearmint
Induce Menstruation
This herb is a very powerful emmenagogue! The active ingredients in this plant can cause the walls of the uterus to contract and expel its lining, inducing menstruation.
Abortifacient
One of Pennyroyal’s most famous uses is to induce abortions, though there appears to be very little documented evidence to support this reputation. What has been documented is this plant’s ability to help to expel a dead fetus from the mother, because of the way it causes uterine contractions. Please take note that in these historic applications, the fresh or dried plant material was being used — and essential oils are much stronger than the plant material itself. The use of Pennyroyal essential oil for this purpose is not recommended, and dosing errors have resulted in fatalities.
Gastrointestinal Ailments
This plant has also been known to soothe indigestion and constipation.
Cough & Fever
Pennyroyal has been used for expelling thick phlegm and breaking fevers. This plant may cause sweating, which was historically used to fend off colds.
Insect Repellant
Pennyroyal is well-known for its ability to repel insects and pests of all kinds. *Caution: Do not apply to skin undiluted.
LIVER TOXIC
*Pennyroyal is highly toxic to the liver and improper handling of this essential oil may result in discomfort or fatality. We do not recommend ingesting this oil.
**It is not recommend to use this oil on children, or by anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Bug Repelling Diffuser Blend
2 drops Citronella
2 drops Lemongrass
2 drops Pennyroyal