Pennyroyal essential oil

Pennyroyal essential oil, mentha pulegium, is steam distilled from the leaves, the scent is a combination of minty and earthy. It is useful as an insect repellent. Pennyroyal essential oil is used for phlegm, respiratory disorders, jaundice, nausea, ulcers, consumption, dropsy, toothache, leprosy, whooping cough, convulsions, sores in the mouth, colic, snakebites, expel after-birth, sore gums, fainting, fever, and gout. It purifies the blood, relieves gas and stomach pain, and can stimulate uterine contractions. Pennyroyal oil can be used externally for rheumatism and as an insect repellent. Its action is carminative, diaphoretic, stimulant and emmenagogic, and is principally employed for the last-named property in disorders caused by sudden chill or cold. It is also beneficial in cases of spasms, hysteria, flatulence and sickness, being very warming and grateful to the stomach.
Pennyroyal, mentha pulegium, is the smallest of the mints and very different in habit from any of the others. There are two forms of the plant, the most common variety is decumbens and the other variety is erecta. The American species of pennyroyal is an aromatic, soft-hairy annual plant; the erect, square, branching stem grows from 6 to 16 inches high and bears small, opposite, thin, ovate leaves, which are sparingly toothed. The whole plant has a pleasant, aromatic odor. It is found wild and naturalized throughout the civilized world in strong, moist soil on the borders of ponds and streams, and near pools on heaths and commons. There are other varieties through out the US, and it is mentioned in the book "Herbals of the New World" as one of the plants the pilgrim fathers introduced.
Pennyroyal essential oil blends well with the following essential oils: geranium, rosemary, lavandin, sage and citronella.
Cautions - Pennyroyal essential oil is an oral toxin - NEVER take this oil internally as it is dangerous! To take pennyroyal oil internally to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is very dangerous and in a few cases has resulted in death. There is possible fetal damage from the use of pennyroyal in any form during pregnancy. May cause severe kidney/liver damage used in excess of 2 ounces. Do not be use during pregnancy, it is a uterine stimulant. Use only with medical supervision.
Pennyroyal oil properties - Carminative, diaphoretic, emmenogogue (promote menstruation), antispasmodic, mild sedative, sudorific, stimulant, aromatic, anti-emetic (Do not use in pregnancy), anti-spasmodic, rubrifacent.