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Benefits |
Preparation |
Medicinal Uses |
Side Effects |
Plant |
Folklore |
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| Common Names |
| PennyRoyal , Penny-Royal |
| Botanical Name |
| Mentha pulegium |
| Family |
| LAMIACEAE or LABIATAE Mint Family |
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Amenorrhea *
Childbirth *
Insect Repellent *
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| Parts Used: leaves and young flowers, essential oil |
| Constituents:pulegone,isopulegone, menthol, isomenthone, limonene, piperitone, neomenthol, bitters and tannins |
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Pennyroyal is an important member of the family of mints, used historically since the time of Pliny to stimulate suppressed menstruation, alleviate cramps and tension during a woman's monthly cycle and facilitate childbirth. Because of the herbs reputation as an aborifacient, it has a rather unsavory reputation, but the herb is one that can be used safely for its intended purposes, when coupled with common sense, respect, knowledge and caution.
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Prep Methods :whole herb teas, use essential oil in topical applications only
 Remedies using PennyRoyal
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 Pennyroyal oil is an excellent insect repellent, and is used in many commercial preparations. Just remember that a few drops will go a long way. The oil is extremely potent, and extremely toxic if taken internally. |
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 Pennyroyal is excellent for getting rid of fleas, rub the crushed leaves on your pet and use a strong decoction the in the water when you mop the floors. |
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| Induce Labor | | Used during labor to facilitate contractions and stimulate delayed or prolonged labor. Use under the guidance of a qualified herbal practitioner. 934
(Gladstar, Rosemary ) | | Suppressed menstruation | | One of the strongest herbs to stimulate suppressed menstruation. Use with an abundance of caution. 933
| | Natural insect repellent | | Pennyroyal has been used as a natural insect repellent for centuries. A little goes a long way 935
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| Side Effects: |
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| A woman would have to drink enormous quantities of whole herb to to stimulate an abortion, so there is little chance of an accidental overdose, still, avoid use in pregnant women. Pennyroyal oil, however is extremely toxic, doses a small 1 teaspoon can cause convulsions. Drinking pennyroyal oil in an effort to abort a pregnancy has resulted in death. Never, ever, never take pennyroyal oil internally for any reason. |
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 Fragrant, low growing mint with small roundish leaves.
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 Pennyroyal was in high repute among the Ancients. Both Pliny and Dioscorides described its numerous virtues. In Northern Europe it was also much esteemed, as may be inferred from the frequent references to it in the Anglo-Saxon and Welsh works on medicine.
(Grieve, Maude |
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 This herb is under Venus. If boiled and drank it provokes women's courses, and expels the dead child and afterbirth. Nicholas Culpeper |
 'The boke of Secretes of Albertus Magnus of the vertues of Herbes, Stones and certaine Beastes' states that, by putting drowning flies and bees in warm ashes of Pennyroyal 'they shall recover their Iyfe after a little tyme as by ye space of one houre' and be revived.
(Grieve, Maude |
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