Pennyroyal Essential Oil
Pennyroyal Essential Oil. Pennyroyal the smallest of the mints and very different in habit from any of the others. Two forms of the plant are met with, the commonest, the variety decumbens and the other variety, erecta. The American species of pennyroyal is an aromatic, soft-hairy annual plant; the erect, square, branching stem grows from 6 to 16 inches high and bears small, opposite, thin, ovate leaves, which are sparingly toothed. The whole plant has a pleasant, aromatic odor. It is found wild and naturalized throughout the civilized world in strong, moist soil on the borders of ponds and streams, and near pools on heaths and commons. There are other varieties on the Continent. It is mentioned in the Herbals of the New World as one of the plants the Pilgrim Fathers introduced.
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| Botanical Name: | Mentha pulegium L. |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Pulegium, European pennyroyal, pudding grass |
| See Also: | |
| Parts Used: | Fresh or slightly dried herb. |
| Extraction Method: | Steam Distillation. |
| Appearance: | Colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Aroma Description: | Fresh, minty, herbaceous |
| Perfume note: | |
| Consistancy: | Thin |
| Strength of Initial Aroma: | |
| Blends well with: | |
| Historical Uses: | Pennyroyal was traditionally used for phlegm, respiratory disorders, jaundice, nausea, ulcers, consumption, dropsy, toothache, leprosy, whooping cough, convulsions, sores in the mouth, colic, snakebites, expel after-birth, sore gums, fainting, fever, and gout. |
| Modern Uses: | Pennyroyal is little used in modern aromatherapy, because of the toxicity, but some use externally for rheumatism. And used in fresh, menthol note flavours (ex. tobacco) and in fragrance compounds for cosmetic perfumery (ex.foam bath). |
| Cautions: | Oral toxin. Aborifacient. There is possible fetal damage from the use of pennyroyal in any form during pregnancy. May cause severe kidney/liver damage used in excess of 2 ounces. Do not be use during pregnancy, it is a uterine stimulant. Use only with medical supervision.
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