Practical
Plants

Mentha pulegium

Pennyroyal

a perennial member of the Mentha genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Mentha
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.4 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

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 cause abortions so it should not be used by pregnant women[4].

Edible uses

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

Leaves - raw or cooked[9][25][20]. Used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[8]. A spearmint-like flavour, though rather coarser, it is not used very often in Britain[22]. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[8]. For drying, it should be harvested as the plant comes into flower[22].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
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.

Pennyroyal has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. Its main value is as a digestive tonic where it increases the secretion of digestive juices and relieves flatulence and colic[19]. Pennyroyal also powerfully stimulates the uterine muscles and encourages menstruation, thus it should not be prescribed for pregnant women since it can procure abortions, this is especially the case if the essential oil is used[15][19]. The herb is antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, sedative and stimulant[22][25][23][4]. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, minor respiratory infections, digestive disorders, menstrual complaints and various minor ailments[13][15][19]. It is occasionally used as a treatment for intestinal worms[19]. Externally, an infusion is used to treat itchiness and formication, inflamed skin disorders such as eczema and rheumatic conditions such as gout[19]. The leaves are harvested in the summer as the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use[22]. The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses[13].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Uterine tonic

Material uses

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

An essential oil is obtained from the whole plant, used in soap making[23][24] and as a cleanser for fabrics[5]. A yield of 14kg of oil per hectare is considered good[22]. The plant has a low spreading habit and can be used as a ground cover, though it is somewhat sparse in the winter and can be invaded by the more aggressive weeds[K]. The growing or dried plant repels fleas, ants, moths, mice etc[7][10][2][5][12][15]. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain[17]. A strong infusion applied to the face will keep gnats away in the summer[18]. The aromatic leaves are used as an ingredient of pot-pourri[15].

Product or use
Cleanser
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Pot-pourri
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Strewing

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Centraland southern Europe, including Britain, Mediterranean region, Macaronesia.
Habitat
Moist meadows and sandy soils by streams etc[25][6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[K]. Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[11]. Plants are very quickly diminished by dry conditions[22]. Prefers a stiff moist soil that is slightly acid[3][20][21][11]. A sunny position is best for production of essential oils, but plants succeed in partial shade. Pennyroyal is often grown in the herb garden and is also cultivated commercially as a medicinal plant[22][1]. There are two main forms of this species. One has weak prostrate stems and spreads by rooting where the stems touch the ground, it is only 10cm tall[22]. The other is erect, does not spread so freely and grows about 30cm tall, thus making it easier to harvest[22]. There is also at least one named form, called 'Dwarf' it is only a few centimetres tall[8]. The whole plant a strong spearmint smell. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies[16]. A good companion plant for cabbages and tomatoes[10], helping to repel cabbage root fly and other burrowing insects[12]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[14].

References

  1. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

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  2. Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970-00-00

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  3. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0

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  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩1↩2

  5. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  7. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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  10. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  12. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2

  13. 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

  14. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  16. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

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  17. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

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  18. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  19. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  20. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2

  21. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

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  22. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

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

    ↩1↩2

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

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  25. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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