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American Pennyroyal
Hedoma
pulegioides
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Description
This herb blooms pale blue flowers in clusters
from July to September.1 It is a short plant growing
between 6 and 12 inches, but can grow up to 16 inches.1,3
It has slender, erect branches which are square and hairy.1
The leaves are small, narrow, toothed, and elliptical.1,2
This herb has a minty smell.1
Geographic
Location
The plant grows from Nova Scotia through Quebec into the
Dakotas and southward.1
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Native
Habitat
This plant is found in dry, sandy soil in
North America.1,2 It is also found in dry fields and open woods.3
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Optimal Growing
Conditions
The plant grows best in average, dry soil
with full light.6 The plant will tolerate poor and dry
soil.7 The seeds self sow.7 The plant
is an annual.8 Pinching off the tips
off the plants will cause more and bushy growth.6 Harvesting is best when the flowers are
in full bloom, early/mid summer.6
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Economic
Importance
Clusters of people in the eastern parts of
the country extract the volatile oils from the flowers and leaves while
the flower is in bloom.1 The oils are abstracted through
steam distillation and used in cosmetics as a fragrance.2
Fresh and dried leaves are used in cooking, especially pudding.2
The tea was used as an oriental tea substitute during the American
revolution.3
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Ethnobotanical and
Cultural Information
Medicinally the plant has been traditionally
used as an antispasmodic,
carminative,
diaphoretic,
emmenagogue,
sedative,
stimulant,
aromatic, and
stomachic.2,10
It has also been used to promote menstruation, induce abortion, cure headaches, and relieve colds.2
People once put the leaves in muslin bags and
placed in pet beds to chase fleas.3
The American colonists mixed yeast with the
tea and considered it to be a safe and effective abortion inducer.5
The Native Americans taught the settlers to
rub the leaves over their skin to repel insects.6
The Chickasaw placed soaked plants on the
forehead to relieve headaches and watery eyes.6 Other
tribes used it for the stomach, colds, and the flu.6
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Fascinating
Facts
The oil is toxic. It can cause nausea,
vomiting , diarrhea, and convulsions along with depression and stimulation.2 Two
woman in Colorado died from ingesting the oil of the American Pennyroyal.5
The plant can be used as a insect repellant for fleas and
other pests.2 This though may cause dermatitis.3
When abortion was illegal the plant was used to induce
abortion causing several complications for the carrier including
hemorrhaging.3
American Pennyroyal is pollinated by short and long tongued
bees and flies.4
The plant has 2% volatile oil which contains up to 92%
pulegone which is very toxic an causes liver damage.10
The plant has no properties that can not be obtained through
other means, hence this plant is not recommended.10
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Created by: Matthew J.
Burke, December, 2002 |
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