If you’re not familiar with pennyroyal, Pennyroyal scientifically known as Mentha pulegium is a common plant in the mint family. While it does have amazing health benefits when used by adults in moderate doses, it can also be toxic in higher doses. An essential oil made with pennyroyal should not be taken internally because it is very potent, however milder variants such as pennyroyal tea are considered to be safe.
What is it used for?
Despite its toxicity, pennyroyal in tea form and essential oil as topical application is considered a much safer option for consumption. These are some of the reasons that pennyroyal can be used:
- Stomach pain
Pennyroyal has been widely used to improve digestion and to treat common digestive complaints. You can drink small doses of the tea to help treat gas, bloating or stomach pain.
- Respiration
Because of its menthol content, pennyroyal has been widely used over the years for its expectorant qualities to relieve the symptoms of flu or colds. It helps aid breathing and act as a decongestant.
- Relaxation
Pennyroyal was used in the past to calm the nerves and help people with sleeping problems because of its mild sedative properties.
- Muscle and Joint Pain
Pennyroyal oil has a numbing and warming quality and is used to help treat sore muscles and joints. The depurative qualities of Pennyroyal makes for a good treatment of arthritis and rheumatism because it helps get rid of the uric acid in our system.
- Promote Menstruation
Pennyroyal has been used throughout the years to help stimulate menstruation in women who do not menstruate or those with irregular cycles.
- Promote Wellbeing
Smelling, and consuming pennyroyal with up liven the spirit. Walk or sit on a patch of pennyroyal and relax as it takes away your blues.
How to Use Pennyroyal
Tea: Add one and two teaspoons of dried pennyroyal leaves to a cup. Add boiling water to the leaves and let the tea infuse for at least 10 minutes. You can drink up to three cups each day.
Pennyroyal essential oil: You should only use it topically
Insect Repellant: Mix Pennyroyal Essential Oil with Citronella when making natural insect repellant.
Ground Cover: Our absolute favorite ground cover of all time, its very hardy once it gets going, you can even mow it!
