🌿 Pennyroyal | Traditional Digestive & Aromatic Herb | NYCherbs®

The Remedy:

Botanical Name: Mentha pulegium Other Names: Poleo (Spanish), European Pennyroyal, Pudding Grass

🌱 What is Pennyroyal?

Pennyroyal is a fragrant herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae), historically used across Europe and the Mediterranean for its strong aroma and stimulating properties. Traditionally valued as a digestive aid, insect repellent, and cleansing herb, pennyroyal has a long history in folk medicine and household remedies.

✨ Key Benefits:

🍃 Digestive Support → traditionally brewed as tea to ease indigestion, bloating, and gas
🦟 Natural Repellent → aromatic oils repel insects and pests
🌬️ Respiratory Aid → historically used in steam inhalations for colds and congestion
🔥 Warming Herb → promotes circulation and internal warmth

📌 Traditional & Cultural Uses:

• In European folk medicine, pennyroyal tea was used for digestive discomfort and menstrual irregularities

• Widely used as a culinary herb in ancient Rome and Greece for flavoring and preserving food

• Known in Spanish herbal tradition as “Poleo”, often prepared as a tea for after-meal digestion

⚠️ Safety Note:

Pennyroyal is highly potent and its concentrated essential oil can be toxic if ingested or misused. It should never be taken in large amounts or used during pregnancy, as it can cause serious side effects. Recommended for external or aromatic use unless guided by a qualified herbalist.

🧴 Available Forms:

• Dried Herb (Tea)

• Essential Oil (for external/aromatic purposes only)

• Traditional Infusion