Pennyroyal: properties, contraindications and how to prepare it as an infusion

What is pennyroyal and what is it for?

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a perennial planterect or prone, up to 50 cm tall, very aromatic. Its leaves are opposite, elliptical, covered with fine hair, and give off an intense menthol fragrance when crushed. The flowers they are colored pale pink and they are grouped in globose and compact whorls in the axils of the leaves.

For medical uses the entire plant is collected, which we can find dry for infusion. Contains a essential oil with menthol, pulegone, isopulegona, piperitenone and limonene, as well as bitter principles and tannins.

It had previously been used as slimming; Taken with wine, it was said to act as an antidote to snake bites, and mixed with vinegar, it served to revive after fainting.

pennyroyal medicinal properties

The infusions of this plant constitute one of the digestive tonics best known and appreciated. It has been since ancient times a handy resource for open the appetite, promote digestion and combat abdominal pain caused by gastrointestinal spasms and other digestive upsets, such as vomiting and diarrhea.It’s a good remedy against gases and flatulenceas well as to remove the bad breath.Pennyroyal is shown very effective also to favor the secretion of bile and facilitate the removal of gallstonesIt is also used as a remedy to end occasional constipation.in external application, the infusion and the essential oilhas been used in folk medicine as a vulnerary and healing on superficial wounds, blisters and non-bleeding scratches.

How to prepare pennyroyal

Pennyroyal is one of those infusions that our grandparents were very fond of. Plant It has been included in many traditional formulas to make digestive and laxative herbal teasto which it provides its characteristic menthol aroma.

Infusion with pennyroyal for digestion

As a carminative formula, the one that combines the pennyroyal with anise and two antispasmodic plants, the chamomile and lemon verbenain equal parts.

How to prepare it: Boil the contents of one level tablespoon per serving of water for 1 minute and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. A hot cup is taken after each meal, especially if it has generated a slow and heavy digestion.

Infusion with pennyroyal to eliminate gallstones

In this case, the infusion that associates it with three protective plants of the gallbladder such as the dandelion, rosemary and fumitory.

How to prepare it: The content of one level tablespoon per serving of water is boiled for 1 minute and left to infuse for 10 minutes. A hot cup is taken after meals.

Tea with pennyroyal for migraines

To relieve migraines caused by some digestive disorder, which affect the liver or gallbladder, you can try the infusion of pennyroyal with feverfew, ginkgo and dandelionagain in equal parts.

How to prepare it: It is boiled for just 1 minute and is kept at rest for 10 more. It should be taken twice a day, on an empty stomach, mid-morning and mid-afternoon, until the discomfort disappears. To hide the slightly bitter taste of the herbal tea, it is advisable to add a teaspoon of rosemary honey.

Infusion with pennyroyal against constipation

In this case, pennyroyal is combined in equal parts with four plants of recognized virtues laxatives such as frangula, psyllium, marshmallow, and dandelion.

How to prepare it: Boil the equivalent of one level tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water for 3 minutes, infuse for 10 minutes and filter. Three glasses a day are drunk, the last one minutes before going to bed, and it is accompanied by a generous consumption of water.

Precautions and contraindications

Oral ingestion of essential oil is discouragedespecially during the pregnancy already children under 6 years old.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”