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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Pennyroyal
| image = Mentha pulegium.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Mentha]]''
| species = '''''M. pulegium'''''
| binomial = ''Mentha pulegium''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
The herb '''Pennyroyal''' (''[[Mentha]] pulegium'', family [[Lamiaceae]]), is a member of the [[mint]] [[genus]]; an [[essential oil]] extracted from it is used in [[aromatherapy]]. Crushed Pennyroyal leaves and foliage exhibit a very strong mint fragrance. Pennyroyal is a traditional [[folk medicine]] poison and [[abortifacient]]. These oils are high in [[pulegone]], a highly toxic volatile, which can stimulate uterine activity.
==Uses==
Pennyroyal [[Tisane|tea]] has been traditionally employed as an [[emmenagogue]] or as an [[abortifacient]]. The [[essential oil]] is extremely concentrated, and is highly toxic even in small doses.<ref name="medline">U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health [[MedlinePlus]] website, [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-pennyroyal.html Pennyroyal patient information] retrieved on August 6, 2007.</ref> Complications have been reported from attempts to use the oil to induce abortions: in 1978, a pregnant woman died after consuming approximately two [[tablespoon]]fuls (30 ml) of Pennyroyal oil, and in 1994, another death occurred after a pregnant woman (attempting to self-abort, but with an unknown [[ectopic pregnancy]]) consumed tea containing Pennyroyal extract.<ref>''[[Metro Silicon Valley]]'', December 14, 1995. "Lifestyle on Trial" by Gordon Young. [http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/12.14.95/pennyroyal-9550.html Metroactive online edition], retrieved on August 6, 2007.</ref><ref name="medline" />
==See also==
* ''[[Hedeoma pulegioides]]'' — American Pennyroyal, distantly related species
* "[[Pennyroyal Tea]]" (1993), grunge rock song by [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
==References==
<references />
==External links==
{{Commonscat|Mentha pulegium}}
*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/plants_and_algae/Mentha_pulegium/ images and movies of the Pennyroyal ''(Mentha pulegium)'']
* [http://www.maltawildplants.com/LABT/Mentha_pulegium.html Comprehensive profile for ''Mentha pulegium''] from the website [[MaltaWildPlants.com]]
[[Category:Abortifacients]]
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Pennyroyal
| image = Mentha pulegium.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Mentha]]''
| species = '''''M. pulegium'''''
| binomial = ''Mentha pulegium''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
The herb '''Pennyroyal''' (''[[Mentha]] pulegium'', family [[Lamiaceae]]), is a member of the [[mint]] [[genus]]; an [[essential oil]] extracted from it is used in [[aromatherapy]]. Crushed Pennyroyal leaves and foliage exhibit a very strong mint fragrance. Pennyroyal is a traditional [[folk medicine]] poison and [[abortifacient]]. These oils are high in [[pulegone]], a highly toxic volatile, which can stimulate uterine activity.
==Uses==
Pennyroyal [[Tisane|tea]] has been traditionally employed as an [[emmenagogue]] or as an [[abortifacient]]. The [[essential oil]] is extremely concentrated, and is highly toxic even in small doses.<ref name="medline">U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health [[MedlinePlus]] website, [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-pennyroyal.html Pennyroyal patient information] retrieved on August 6, 2007.</ref> Complications have been reported from attempts to use the oil to induce abortions: in 1978, a pregnant woman died after consuming approximately two [[tablespoon]]fuls (30 ml) of Pennyroyal oil, and in 1994, another death occurred after a pregnant woman (attempting to self-abort, but with an unknown [[ectopic pregnancy]]) consumed tea containing Pennyroyal extract.<ref>''[[Metro Silicon Valley]]'', December 14, 1995. "Lifestyle on Trial" by Gordon Young. [http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/12.14.95/pennyroyal-9550.html Metroactive online edition], retrieved on August 6, 2007.</ref><ref name="medline" />
==See also==
* ''[[Hedeoma pulegioides]]'' — American Pennyroyal, distantly related species
* "[[Pennyroyal Tea]]" (1993), grunge rock song by [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
==References==
<references />
==External links==
{{Commonscat|Mentha pulegium}}
*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/plants_and_algae/Mentha_pulegium/ images and movies of the Pennyroyal ''(Mentha pulegium)'']
* [http://www.maltawildplants.com/LABT/Mentha_pulegium.html Comprehensive profile for ''Mentha pulegium''] from the website [[MaltaWildPlants.com]]
[[Category:Abortifacients]]
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
