HERBAL
MEDICINAL
PLANT
---------------------------------------------
PENNYROYAL
Hedeoma pulegioides (L.)
Pers. + (down from CRC)
(Labiatae/Lamiceae)
BY
RETTODWIKART THENU
----------------------------------
PENNYROYAL
!
(pehn-ee-rawee’uhl)
Hedeoma pulegioides (L.)
Pers. + (down from CRC) (Labiatae/Lamiceae)
SUMMARY AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMMENT
Interest
in pennyroyal has focused on the toxicity associated with the volatile oil. No documented reports
of the pharmacological actions exhibited by the herb were located. In view of
its potential toxicity, pennyroyal oil is not suitable for internal or external
use.
DESCRIPTION
Hedeoma pulegioides is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3
m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is hardy to
zone (UK) 6. It is in flower from July to September. The species is
hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for:
light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil
and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils
and can grow in very acid soils. It
can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist
soil.( https://pfaf.org/)
SPECIES (FAMILY)
*Mentha pulegium L.
(Labiatae/Lamiceae)
†Hedeoma pulegioides (L.) Pers.
SYNONYM(S)
*Pulegium vulgare Mill., P.
parviflorum (Req.) Samp. pro parte
†Melissa pulegioides L.,
Squaw Mint
OTHER COMMON NAMES
American pennyroyal, European
pennyroyal, mock pennyroyal, mosquito plant, pudding grass,
squawbalm, squawmint, tickweed
ORIGIN
American pennyroyal is found
throughout North America in wooded regions.
PHARMACOPODIAL AND OTHER MONOGRAPHS
BHP 1983(G7)
Martindale 35th edition(G85)
LEGAL CATEGORY (LICENSED PRODUCTS)
Pennyroyal is not included in the GSL.(G37)
CONSTITUENTS
The following is compiled from several sources, including
General References G22, G48 and G58.
Volatile oils 1–2%. Pulegone is the principal component (60–90%); others
include menthone, iso-menthone, 3-octanol, piperitenoneand trans-iso-pulegone.
USES
USES
Traditionally, pennyroyal has been used as an
abortifacient and to treat gout, menstrual ailments, uterine fi broids, colds,
fevers, fl u, chest congestion, and colic, and digestive, hepatic, and
gallbladder diseases. Externally, it is used to treat skin diseases. Some
herbalists recommend the use of pennyroyal for treating tumors. It may also be
used as an insect repellant.
FOOD USE
Pennyroyal
is not commonly used in foods. It is listed by the Council of Europe as a
natural source of food flavouring (category N3).(G16) This category indicates
that there is insufficient information available for an adequate assessment of
toxicity (but see Side-effects, Toxicity). Previously, in the USA, pennyroyal has
been permitted for use in foods.(G65)
HERBAL USE
Pennyroyal
is stated to possess carminative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and emmenagogue
properties, and has been used topically as a refrigerant, antiseptic and insect
repellent. Traditionally, it has been used for flatulent dyspepsia, intestinal colic,
common cold, delayed menstruation, and topically for cutaneous eruptions,
formication and gout.(G7)
ACTIONS
ACTIONS
Little scientifi c research has been done on any uses
or actions of pennyroyal. This herb is used as an insect repellent and has been
used in the food and cosmetic industry for years. Most of the available
information comes from anecdotal reports. Pennyroyal oil is extremely toxic and
should not be ingested for any use.
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS
None documented.
CLINICAL STUDIES
There is a lack of clinical research assessing the effects of pennyroyal.
ACTIVITIES
Abortifacient
(f; CRC); Allergenic (f; CRC); Analgesic (1; CRC; DEM; FNF); Anesthetic (1;
FNF); Antiinflammatory (1; FNF); Antipyretic (f; APA); Antiseptic (1; FNF);
Antispasmodic (1; CRC; FNF); Antitussive (f; CRC); Carminative (1; APA; CRC); Decongestant
(f; APA); Dermatitigenic (f; FAD); Diaphoretic (f; APA; CRC; FAD); Digestive
(f; APA); Diuretic (f; CRC); Emmenagogue (f; APA; CRC; FAD); Expectorant (f;
APA; DEM; FAD); Hepatotoxic (f; PHR); Insecticide (1; CRC); Insectifuge (2; APA;
CRC; DEM); Myorelaxant (1; CRC; FNF); Nervine (f; CRC); Sedative (1; FNF);
Stimulant (f; APA; CRC).
INDICATIONS
Allergy
(1; FNF); Amenorrhea (f; CRC); Bronchosis (1; FNF); Burn (f; CRC); Cold (1;
APA; CRC; FAD; FNF); Colic (1; APA; CRC); Conjunctivosis (f; CRC); Cough (1;
APA; DEM; FAD; FNF); Cramp (1; CRC; FNF); Dermatosis (f; APA); Dysentery (f;
DEM); Dysmenorrhea (f; APA; CRC; DEM); Dyspepsia (f; APA; DEM); Eczema (f;
APA); Enterosis (f; CRC); Fever (1; CRC; FAD; FNF); Flu (1; APA; FNF); Flux (f;
DEM); Gastrosis (f; CRC; DEM); Gout (f; CEB); Headache (f; APA; CRC; FAD);
Hepatosis (f; CRC; FAD); Inflammation (1;APA; FNF); Itch (f; CRC); Leukorrhea
(f; CRC); Myosis (1; FNF); Nephrosis (f; DEM; FAD); Ophthalmia (f; CRC); Pain
(1; CRC; FNF); Pertussis (f; DEM); Pharyngosis (1; FNF); Pneumonia (f; CRC);
Rheumatism (1; CRC); Spasm (1; CRC; FNF); VD (f; CRC); Virus (1; FNF); Wound (f; APA).
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by
Commission E:
Liver and
gallbladder complaints Spastic discomfort in the area of the gallbladder and
bile ducts, as well as the gastrointestinal tract.
Unproven Uses: In folk
medicine, the herb has been used for skin diseases, constipation, cystitis,
arteriosclerosis, rheuma tism, arthritis, as a blood purifier, hypoglycemia and
for infections.
Homeopathic
Uses: for
chronic, itching eczema resulting from liver disease.
PRODUCT AVAILABILITY
Dried herb, dried leaves, fl
owers, oil
Plant Parts Used: Flowering tops, leaves
DOSAGES
DOSAGES
Dosages
for oral administration (adults) for traditional uses recommended in standard
herbal reference texts are given below. Pennyroyal oil is not suitable for
internal or external use.
·
Herb 1–4
g as an infusion three times daily.(G7)
·
Liquid extract 1–4mL (1 : 1 in 45% alcohol)
three times daily.(G7)
DOSAGES
NOTE: Pennyroyal is extremely toxic.
·
Adult PO tea (dried herb):
place 1 tbsp dried herb in 8 oz warm water; may be taken bid
·
Adutl PO tea (dried leaves):
place 2 tsp dried leaves in 8 oz boiling water, let stand 15 min, strain; may
be taken bid
CONTRAINDICATIONS, INTERACTIONS, AND SIDE EFFECTS
CLASS 2B. Emmenagogue and uterotonic (AHP). In Canada, only
allowed in food or beverage if pulegone-free
(AHP). Used as an emmenagogue and abortifacient.
Pennyroyal oil is toxic and potentially fatal if ingested. Symptoms include
abdominal cramps, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, rash, dizziness, and
alternating lethargy and agitation, leading to kidney failure, massive hepatic
necrosis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Serious toxicity with the
tea has not been reported. CNS symptoms from ingesting pennyroyal-containing
preparations include lethargy, agitation, dizziness, sometimes leading to
seizures and auditory and visual hallucinations. GI effects include nausea, vomiting,
burning in the throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea (AEH1).
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Pregnancy
Category is 7; Breastfeeding Category is 5A.
Pennyroyal should not be given to children. Persons
with seizure disorders, renal/ hepatic disease, or those with hypersensitivity
to this herb, should not use it. Pennyroyal oil is extremely toxic and should
not be ingested. Dried leaf tea is safe to drink.
SIDE
EFFECTS/ADVERSE REACTIONS
CNS: Fatigue, confusion, dizziness, hallucinations, malaise,
seizures,
rigors, coma, death
CV: Hypertension
GI: Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain and
cramping, hepatotoxicity
GU: Nephrotoxicity
INTEG: Hypersensitivity reactions
Reproductive: Abortion
RESP: Respiratory
depression
INTERACTIONS
Drug
Cytochrome P450:
Concurrent use of pennyroyal
with drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 should be avoided.
Lab Test
ALT, AST, total
bilirubin, urine bilirubin: Pennyroyal
may cause increased ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and urine bilirubin.
Red blood cells:
Pennyroyal may cause decreased
red blood cells.
SIDE-EFFECTS, TOXICITY
CLINICAL DATA
The
toxicity of pennyroyal oil is well recognised and human fatalities following
its ingestion as an abortifacient have been reported.(1–3) Symptoms reported
following ingestion of the oil include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhoea, lethargy and agitation, pyrexia, raised blood pressure and pulse
rate, and generalised urticarial rash. Generally, doses required for an abortifacient
effect are also toxic and fatalities have involved both nephrotoxicity and
hepatotoxicity.(2–4) Doses of one ounce and 30 mL(1–3) have proved fatal,
whereas individuals have recovered following unsuccessful abortion attempts involving
the ingestion of 7.5mL oil.(3) The mechanism of hepatotoxicity for pennyroyal
is not known.(2) A direct hepatoxic action has been suggested for the ketone
component, pulegone.(2) Alternatively, metabolic conversion of pulegone to a
reactive intermediate, a furan or epoxide, has been proposed.(2)
PRECLINICAL DATA
Acute
LD50 values for pennyroyal oil are documented as 0.4 g/kg (oral, rats) and 4.2
g/kg (dermal, rabbits).(4) The oil is non- or moderately irritating,
non-sensitising and non-phototoxic.(4) Acute LD50 values documented for
pulegone, the principal oil component, are, not suprisingly, similar to those
for the oil: 0.47 g/ kg (oral, rats), 3.09 g/kg (dermal, rabbits).(5) Steroid
(pregnenolone-16a-carbonitrile) treatment has reduced hepatotoxicity observed
in female rats fed pulegone, whereas triamcinolone has increased it.(5) Toxicity
of pulegone is unaffected by partial hepatectomy or ligation of the common bile
duct, while partial nephrectomy intensified toxicity.(5)
CONTRA-INDICATIONS, WARNINGS
Pennyroyal
oil is irritant and instances of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity have been
documented following its ingestion. Both the internal and external use of
pennyroyal oil are contraindicated.(G58)
Pregnancy
and lactation Pennyroyal is contra-indicated in pregnancy.(G7) Traditionally,
it has been employed as an abortifacient; fatalities have resulted from the
doses of oil required to exert an abortifacient effect.
CLIENT CONSIDERATIONS
ASSESS
·
Assess for hypersensitivity
reactions. If present, discontinue the use of pennyroyal and administer an
antihistamine or other appropriate therapy.
·
Assess for symptoms of
toxicity: lethargy, malaise, fatigue, oliguria, jaundice, seizures. If these
are present, discontinue the use of pennyroyal immediately and administer
supportive measures.
ADMINISTER
·
Instruct the client to use
pennyroyal only under the supervision of a qualifi ed herbalist. This herb can
be toxic.
·
Instruct the client to store
pennyroyal products in a cool, dry place, away from heat and moisture.
TEACH CLIENT/FAMILY
·
Caution the client not to use
pennyroyal in children or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
·
Caution the client to avoid
self-administration of this herb because of its toxicity.
REFERENCE
Barnes, J., Anderson, L. A., and Phillipson, J. D.
2007. Herbal Medicines Third Edition. Pharmaceutical
Press. Auckland and London.
Duke, J. A. with Mary Jo Bogenschutz-Godwin, Judi
duCellier, Peggy-Ann K. Duke. 2002. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 2nd
Ed. CRC Press LLC. USA.
Linda S-Roth. 2010. Mosby’s Handbook Of
Herbs & Natural Supplements, Fourth Edition. Mosby Elsevier. USA
https:// pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hedeoma+pulegioides
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