COMMON NAME: Pennyroyal, European, Pennyroyal, Pulegium

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Mentha pulegium

FAMILY NAME: Lamiaceae (Mint)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: England

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Portugal, Italy, Turkey

HISTORY INFORMATION: There are ancient references to Pennyroyal. It has been used for hundreds of years to repel fleas and insects. It was also considered to purify water. Now the oil is considered toxic as it is an abortive (pulegone) and dangerous to use (deaths from use have been reported). It was used with wormwood (another potent oil) to prevent sea sickness.

GENERAL INFORMATION: There is an American Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegoides). We can no longer find a source for the oil. Both are very closely related chemically as both have high pulgeone, an abortive. It seems the plant has taken on a protective status from the state of California and the growing and selling of this oil is now very expensive.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: A perennial creeping herb up to 2ft high with smooth stalks and small, gray-green leaves producing purple flowers.

PARTS PROCESSED: Flowering plant - fresh or dried.

PROCESSING METHODS: Stream distilled.

COLOR RANGE: Clear to light yellow.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Ketone. Up to 80% pulegone, mono and sesquiterpenes.

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Abortifacient, Analgesic, antipruritic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, blood purifier, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, insect repellent, sedative, stimulant, stomachic. Used to repel insects especially fleas in dogs and cats. Used for lung congestion and pain from infections, coughs, colds, asthmatic bronchitis (1-2 drops steam inhalation), massage for painful menstruation cramps, headaches, nervous disturbance.

MENTAL USES: I am able to change my mind easily and effortlessly. As old ideas are no longer needed, I let them go and adopt new ideas. I have decided to be happy instead of being right.

EMOTIONAL USES: Fanatic, rigid, jealous, defensive, righteousness, tends to make others wrong, unhappy TO flexible, welcomes change, adaptable, happy, being right is considered a point of view and not a rigid absolute.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that you have not been validated, especially as a child. This oil can lead to setting yourself up as an authority where others must agree with you or they are excluded from your world. You can be perceived as controlling. Validation is an important part of life. We all want and like to feel validated or have agreement from others. Pennyroyal can dissolve these controlling patterns allowing you to be self-validating without needing to make others wrong or defensive.

APPLICATIONS: Bath (with proper professional supervision), inhalation, massage, mist spray (especially for dogs to repel fleas)

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: At low doses nontoxic, approved as food flavoring, large doses can be fatal, avoid in PREGNANCY. Avoid use with cats.