Botanical Index No. 34

American Pennyroyal

hedeoma pulegioides (l.) pers.

Medicinal Actions

Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Allergy Amenorrhea Bronchosis Burn Cold Conjunctivosis Cough Cramp Dermatosis Dysentery Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Eczema Enterosis Fever Flu Flux Gastrosis Gout Headache Hepatosis Inflammation Itch Leukorrhea Myosis Nephrosis Ophthalmia Pain Pertussis Pharyngosis Pneumonia Rheumatism Spasm VD Virus Wound

General Dosage

Should not be taken.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b. Emmenagogue and uterotonic. In Canada, only allowed in food or beverage if pulegone-free. Used as an emmenagogue and abortifacient. Pennyroyal oil is toxic and potentially fatal if ingested. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, rash, dizziness, and alternating lethargy and agitation, leading to kidney failure, massive hepatic necrosis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Serious toxicity with the tea has not been reported. CNS symptoms from ingesting pennyroyal-containing preparations include lethargy, agitation, dizziness, sometimes leading to seizures and auditory and visual hallucinations. GI effects include nausea, vomiting, burning in the throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.