Pennyroyal mint: its 7 properties and health benefits

To this day and throughout history, there are many infusions that have enjoyed great popularity among various cultures and population groups, using For this, various herbs with useful medicinal properties to alleviate certain discomforts or generate alterations in our activation levels or state of the cheer up.

Tea or chamomile are probably the best known, as well as (although we do not usually stop to identify it as such) coffee. Another of the plants that are used to make infusions is pennyroyal mint, which we are going to talk about throughout this article.

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Pennyroyal mint: basic description

Pennyroyal mint is the popular name we give to "Mentha pulegium", a type of aromatic plant that Like rosemary, oregano, sage or basil, it is part of the family of Lamiaceae. It is one of the best known forms of mint, which has been used for centuries in the Mediterranean and Orient for multiple purposes, from insect repellent to flavoring to herb use medicinal.

Pennyroyal mint is a plant that it has numerous properties that make it recommendable to help combat numerous discomforts and promote our well-being, but nevertheless some of its components can be toxic (especially pulegone). In general, the entire plant is used and consumed, although the most common is that the leaves are used to make infusions.

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Healthy properties of this plant

There are many properties of pennyroyal that make it a useful herb in its many presentations, especially when used as an infusion. Among these beneficial properties, some of the main ones are the following.

1. Supports digestion and reduces intestinal discomfort

Pennyroyal mint is very useful in promoting the digestive process.

Specifically, it has a cholagogue effect, which implies that it generates the expulsion of bile by the gallbladder (something essential for the digestive process) and in turn facilitating evacuation. In addition, it is antispasmodic, decreasing sudden contractions or spasms that can occur at the visceral level. It also has the interesting property of facilitating the expulsion of gases, something that reduces possible discomforts.

2. Stimulates appetite

Pennyroyal has been found to be a plant that has the ability to promote increased appetite and hunger, something that can be useful in those people who show a poor appetite (for example, in the face of dislikes or depressions).

3. Contributes to the regulation of the menstrual cycle

Pennyroyal has been shown to have an emmenagogic effect, which implies that the action of this plant can promote the expulsion of menstrual flow. This makes it useful in those people with alterations, dysregulations or stops of the menstrual cycle. The aforementioned antispasmodic effect it also makes it easier for premenstrual syndrome to be less.

4. Facilitates exudation

Another of the useful properties of this plant is in the fact that it can contribute to lower the level of fever and body temperature thanks to the fact that it causes an increase in sweating.

5. Antiseptic, antifungal and parasiticidal

In addition to the above properties, another advantage of pennyroyal is that fights different bacteria and parasites, as well as some species of fungi. In this way, it is often used both as an infusion to take orally and to clean external wounds or even as a mouthwash.

6. Helps fight cold symptoms and mild respiratory disorders

Pennyroyal mint is also used both infused and vaporized for the treatment of some conditions such as the common cold or bronchitis, since it has a mild antitussive effect and facilitates the expulsion of mucus. This is due to menthol, which it has, like the rest of the plants of the genus mentha.

7. Relaxing

Stress and anxiety can be slightly lessened with an infusion of pennyroyal, which helps to relax and facilitates rest and sleep.

Risks and contraindications

Although pennyroyal mint is a relatively popular herb and especially used when preparing infusions (in which case the low concentration of the components of this plant makes it generally not harmful), the truth is that also may cause adverse health effects.

Therefore, under certain conditions it may be contraindicated, especially when excessive consumption occurs. The risk is usually higher when what is being used is essential oil.

To begin with, it must be taken into account that this plant can be irritating, something that can generate burning and pain along the digestive tract. In addition, if it is consumed in excess it can generate from diarrhea to headaches through gastrointestinal problems.

The most significant aspects are the fact that pennyroyal can become toxic at the kidney level and liver, and its consumption should be avoided by people with insufficiency or problems related to said organs.

Also affects iron absorption, making it difficult and lowering its levels, and could even generate hypoglycemia. That is why it is recommended that people with anemia do not consume it.

What's more is contraindicated during pregnancy since it favors the appearance of contractions in the uterus, something that in high doses can end up facilitating an abortion or premature birth. Neither in breastfeeding nor in children under two years of age.

Bibliographic references:

• Batllori, L. (1990): Medicinal plants and plant drugs: Pennyroyal. Offarm 9 (9): 97 - 98.
• Muñoz, L.M., Alonso, M.T. and Santos, M.T. (1998). Spanish medicinal plants. Mentha Pulegium L. (Labiatae). (Pennyroyal, pennyroyal-mint). Stud.bot, 17. Editions University of Salamanca.