Pennyroyal - Mentha pelegium

History: Pennyroyal is still current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for gas and indigestion, intestinal colic, the common cold, delayed menstruation, skin eruptions and gout. The essential oil can be toxic, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, stimulation, and convulsions. Pennyroyal pharmaceutically causes diaphoresis and an increase in menstrual flow and has been known to cause abortion. The plant has been used as an insect repellent against fleas and other pests. Plants and oil can cause contact dermatitis. As for safety, this writer does not recommend the use of pennyroyal but I thought you ought to know about its actions. Pennyroyal oil is toxic, is an abortifacient, and in small quantities can even cause acute liver and lung damage. Now I see why it is not recommended for aromatherapy.

Characteristics: Penny Royal is a grass like creeper herb bearing a scientific name Mentha Pulegium and is native to Europe. It bears the prefix “Mentha” in its botanical name since it smells like mint when its leaves are crushed. Penny Royal is derived from the fresh plant by steam distillation and contains iso menthone, neo menthone, menthone and pulegone as its chief components. This oil is high in pulegone content and this makes it a deadly poison.

Indications:

• Anti Hysteric: Those who suffer from hysteria and undergo sudden hysteric attacks such as convulsions, unconscious violent behavior and fainting, always run the risk on their lives. They should always keep themselves away from fire, water, abrasives and height, as they are very much likely to burn, drown, cut and fell themselves while unconscious and undergoing such attacks. Penny Royal, due to its effect on nerves and brain, helps control these attacks and is particularly useful in hysteric fainting.
• Anti Microbial & Anti Bacterial: The anti microbial and anti bacterial properties of this oil are outcomes of its toxicity. You can imagine that even in trace quantities (such as parts per million), how deadly poison this oil might be for those tiny microscopic living beings (microbes) if it is such deadly for human that even a few milliliters can cause death. It kills the microbes and bacteria and protects us from infections caused by them.
• Anti Rheumatic & Anti Arthritic: The depurative property, the numbing effect of this oil on the nerves and its cordial and stimulating effects on the blood circulation together make it an ideal combination as an anti rheumatic and anti arthritic medicine. Being a depurative, it promotes removal of toxins like uric acid from the body, thereby eradicating the biggest cause behind rheumatism. The numbing effect on the nerves helps withstand the pain of rheumatism and arthritis. Its cordial or warming effect warms up the affected place and gives a better feeling and finally, its stimulating effect on the blood circulation which increases blood circulation, brings warmth to the affected places and also cures them because obstructed circulation is another reason behind rheumatism and arthritis.
• Anti Septic: Wounds and internal organs, particularly the urinary tracts, urethra, kidneys and uterus, may become septic due to infection by the germs. The highly poisonous behavior of this oil makes it an anti septic, since it kills the germs or bacteria which causes septic. But this oil should be used in very mild doses as it is highly poisonous and irritant.
• Astringent: Traditionally, this oil has been in use as a gum strengthener which is probably due to its astringent properties, which makes the gums to contract and tighten their grip on the teeth. The effects of its astringency can also be felt on the other parts of the body as this property induces contraction in other muscles too and tightens them, pulls up the loose hanging skin, gives a face lift, strengthens hair roots and helps stop hemorrhage by contracting the blood vessels.
• Cordial: Due to its stimulating property, Penny Royal increases blood circulation which in turn warms up the whole body, thus behaving as a cordial. This warming effect gives relief from feeling of cold resulting from fever.
• Decongestant: The toxicity of this oil makes it an anti viral and fights infections in the lungs. This also loose the phlegm and catarrh deposition in the lungs and the respiratory tracts and promote their expectoration. This way, it behaves as a decongestant for the lungs.
• Depurative: There are certain reports which say that this oil can be used as a depurative, that is, a blood purifier. Certain components of this oil may help neutralize the toxins in the blood. As it promotes blood circulation, it also helps proper mixing of fresh oxygen with the blood and this way it may purify blood.
• Digestive: The herb Penny Royal has been in use in the folk medicines to facilitate digestion. This property is also reportedly present in its essential oil and it promotes digestion by stimulating secretion of digestive juices.
• Emenagogue: This is the well proven and well known property of Penny Royal. It opens blocked and delayed menstruation and makes them more regular by stimulating production of certain hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
• Insecticide: As this oil is toxic to human and other animals, it is toxic to insects too. It is a very efficient insect killer and is very effective if used in fumigants, sprays and vaporizers. Insects keep away from this oil. This oil is highly praised and reputed as an insect repellent.
• Stomachic: Used in very low doses, this oil can cure stomach problems and can settle the stomach. It cures infections in the stomach, helps maintain acid-base balance in the stomach by stimulating secretion of acids and bile into the stomach and also soothes inflammations and irritations in it.
• Other Benefits: It is also used to treat flatulence, ailments pertaining to gall bladder and liver, jaundice and hepatitis and tumors.

Safety: One must understand and take this warning seriously that this oil should never be used unless administered by an expert practitioner, because many deaths have been reported resulted due to indiscriminate and incorrect use of this oil.

This oil is highly poisonous to human and other animals. Ingestion even in little doses can cause death. It is a strong abortifacient too and therefore should be strictly avoided during pregnancy. It is not used in aromatherapy as inhalation in small quantity can seriously damage lungs and the respiratory tracts and liver. Further, although several medicinal properties of this oil has been discussed above, but most of them are reported to have been in use traditionally and their authenticity is very much doubted. There are no sufficient proofs for and against these medicinal properties except its properties like toxicity, insect repellent and abortifacient. So, utmost care should be taken while using this oil, internally or externally.

References:
Battaglia, S.  The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy; Third Edition The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia, 2017
Tisserand R. Young R.  Essential Oil Safety, second edition.  Churchhill Livingstone, UK, 2013
Sheppard-Hanger S. The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual.  Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, USA, 2000
Caddy R. Essential Oils in Colour.  Amberwood Publishing, UK, 2005
Lawless J. The encyclopaedia of Essential Oils.  Element Books Limited, GB, 1992
Caddy R. the Essential Blending Guide.  Amberwood Publishing, UK, 2007
Weaver W.W. Sauer’s Herbal Cures.  Routledge, UK, 2001
World Wide Web Encyclopedia Britannica. USA, 2014
Photos attribution – istock Photos
LabAroma

Safety Considerations:
        Do not take essential oils internally.
        Do not apply to eyes, sensitive areas or mucous membranes.
        Do not apply undiluted to skin (for directions on proper dilution refer to an aromatherapy text).
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        Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should not use essential oils without first consulting a healthcare provider.
        The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA.
        You should not use this information for treating a health problem or disease or to make a self-diagnosis.
        Contact your Health Care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem.

Information and statements regarding Kelley products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health condition or disease. 
All information, content and product descriptions contained within this site is for reference purposes and is not intended to substitute advice given by a pharmacist, physician, or other licensed health-care professional. You should not use this information for treating a health problem or disease or to make a self-diagnosis.  
Contact your Health Care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem.