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Few healing herbs have a reputation as bad, or as underserved, as pennyroyals. Critics charge that ingesting even small amounts can be fatal. It is true that as little as 2 tablespoons of pennyroyal oil can cause death. But the dried herb is not dangerous. Pennyroyal's highly aromatic leaves and flowers area a safe decongestant, cough remedy, and digestive aid. History of Pennyroyal Pennyroyal became popular during the first century after the Romans noted that the herb repelled fleas, which would explain its common name, fleabane. When crushed and rubbed on the skin, pennyroyal repels other insects as well, so it’s also called tickweed and mosquito plant. Pennyroyal Uses Pennyroyal oil contains pulegone, the compound responsible for its properties as an insect repellant and menstruation promoter. As an insect repellant, pennyroyal oil helps repel flies, gnats, mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. It is the active ingredient in most natural insect repellants. If you buy an herbal flea color for your dog or cat, it’s likely to contain pennyroyal oil. Because pennyroyal is one of the most aromatic mints, the strong aroma of a pennyroyal extract can serve as a decongestant and possible expectorant.
Like the stomach-soothing menthol in peppermint, pennyroyal is also an effective digestive aid. Although it’s not as strong as peppermint, it still has a stomach-settling action. Pennyroyal Dosage Recommendations To use as an insect repellant, its best to rub fresh, crushed pennyroyal leaves over your body or mix the oil in a skin cream for easy application. To make an herbal flea collar, try hanging a pennyroyal garland or a bag of the herb from a regular collar. Do not apply pennyroyal oil to your pet’s fur or skin. The animal may get a toxic dose from licking itself.
To treat coughs, congestion, or stomach upset, make a tea from 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Drink two cups a day. Pennyroyal Safety Precautions Pennyroyal oil does induce uterine contractions so pregnant women should not use it. Some women have taken pennyroyal as an abortion inducer. Unfortunately the dose necessary for abortion is nearly the same as the lethal dose. As little as ½ teaspoon of pennyroyal oil can cause convulsions. Doses not much larger can be fatal.
Although small amounts of pennyroyal oil can be fatal, the oil is a super concentrated extract of the herb. Drinking a few cups of the pennyroyal tea poses no hazard. Some physicians estimate that it would take 75 gallons of strong pennyroyal infusion to approach the toxicity of a fatal does of pennyroyal oil. If it causes minor discomfort, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, reduce the dosage or stop using it altogether. Typically people do not take pennyroyal longer than 2 weeks for most symptoms. Herbalists advise against taking pennyroyal oil because of its toxicity, but they recommend using the herb externally as an insect repellent and treatment for cuts and burns. They also suggest taking the herb (not the oil) internally for colds, coughs, upset stomach, flatulence, anxiety, and menstruation promotion.
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