Practical
Plants

Hedeoma pulegioides

American Pennyroyal

an annual member of the Hedeoma genus in the family Labiatae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Hedeoma
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

In large quantities this plant, especially in the form of the extracted essential oil, can be toxic if taken internally[6]. Skin contact with the pure essential oil can cause dermatitis[6]

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves have a very strong mint-like aroma and taste[2], they can be brewed into a refreshing tea that promotes good digestion, or they can be used as a culinary flavouring[3][7]. An essential oil from the plant is used by the food industry as a flavouring in beverages, ice cream, baked goods etc[3].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

American pennyroyal has a long history of medicinal use by various native North American Indian tribes and has become a traditional household remedy in North America[7]. It is used mainly in the treatment of digestive disorders, colds, whooping cough, painful menstruation and as an aid in childbirth[7]. A tea made from the leaves or flowering stems is carminative, rubefacient, stimulant[9][10][2]. It is used to treat colds because it promotes perspiration[4]. A tea with brewers yeast can induce an abortion[5]. The plants are harvested when flowering and can be used fresh or dried[5][7]. The essential oil is distilled from the plants when they are in flower and used medicinally in the same ways as the leaves. Caution is advised since the pure essential oil is very toxic and ingestion can be lethal whilst skin contact can cause dermatitis[6][7].

Product or use
Abortifacient
Product or use
Birthing aid
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The essential oil is used as an ingredient in commercial insect repellents and cleaning products[7]. The plant is used as an insect repellent[1][2]. When rubbed on the body it is said to repel ticks[4].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
N. America - S. Quebec to Minnesota and S. Dakota, then south to Tennessee and Arkansas.
Habitat
Dry soils[43 in open woods and fields[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow in situ in spring or autumn[1].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained acidic soil of low to moderate fertility[1]. Another report says that it prefers a rich sandy soil in sun or partial shade[7]. The plants neat habit and aromatic foliage make it a good candidate for growing in containers or planting near seats[7].

References

  1. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2

  5. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  6. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  8. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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