Botanical Index No. 394

European Pennyroyal

mentha pulegium

Medicinal Actions

Antiseptic, Antipyretic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Decongestant, Depurative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Ecbolic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Hepatotoxic, Insecticide, Purgative, Refrigerant, Stimulant, Sudorific, Uterotonic, Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Abortifacient Insectifuge Nervine Pectoral Poison Amenorrhea Anemia Angina Biliousness Bite Cacoethes Cancer belly colon pudenda spleen stomach uterus Cholecystosis Cold Corn Cough Cramp Dermatosis Dropsy Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Eczema Fibroid Flu Gas Gastrosis Gout Headache Hepatosis Induration Inflammation Itch Jaundice Nephrosis Neurosis Polyp Polyuria Scirrhus Spasm Splenosis Syncope Tonsilosis Tumor Uterosis Vertigo Wound

General Dosage

Should not be taken; 1–4 g herb, or in tea, 3 ×/day; 2 tsp herb in hot tea; 1–4 ml liquid herbal extract 3 ×/day; 0.5–5 ml liquid leaf extract; 0.6–1.2 ml spirit of pulegium; 0.05–2 ml EO. , 3 ×/day; 2 tsp herb in hot tea; 1–4 ml liquid herbal extract 3 ×/day; 0.5–5 ml liquid leaf extract; 0.6–1.2 ml spirit of pulegium; 0.05–2 ml EO.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b. Emmenagogue and uterotonic. In Canada, allowed in food or beverage only if pulegone-free. CAN cautions that pulegone in the volatile oil can be irritant, hepatotoxic, and nephrotoxic. Symptoms following EO ingestion include abdominal pain, agitation, diarrhea, high blood pressure, lethargy, nausea, pyrexia, and generalized urticaria. Abortifacient doses are hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic. Because of pulegone’s abortifacient activity, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided. “Both the internal and external use of pennyroyal oil has been contraindicated”. Class 2b. Emmenagogue and uterotonic. In Canada, allowed in food or beverage only if pulegone-free. CAN cautions that pulegone in the volatile oil can be irritant, hepatotoxic, and nephrotoxic. Symptoms following EO ingestion include abdominal pain, agitation, diarrhea, high blood pressure, lethargy, nausea, pyrexia, and generalized urticaria. Abortifacient doses are hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic. Because of pulegone’s abortifacient activity, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided. “Both the internal and external use of pennyroyal oil has been contraindicated”. Death reported following ingestion of 15 ml EO, after 2-week consumption of alcoholic extract. Playing it safe, I like to remind everyone that pregnant women are advised against taking this herb or others because the herbs reportedly have some abortifacient properties. Further, pulegone, the active compound, is reportedly absorbed through the skin and may be carcinogenic. Pulegone is oxidized by hepatic cytochrome P-450 to the hepatotoxic compound, menthofuran. Pulegone or a metabolite is also responsible for neurotoxicity and destruction of bronchiolar epithelial cells. It extensively depletes glutathione in the liver. Hepatic toxicity from overdoses has been prevented with acetylcysteine administered promptly. Rats at 80 to 160 mg/kg/day develop encephalopathies. Not to be toyed with. 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. Five grams of pennyroyal oil can cause collapse; 11.69 g abortion, collapse, salivation, and unconsciousness. 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. EO LD50 = 400 mg/kg orl rat, LD50 = 4200 mg/kg der rbt.

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