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Hedeoma | | Name : | Hedeoma | | Parts Used : | The herb and oil | | Habitat : | Found in dry fields and open woods along the Atlantic coast and westto Minnesota and Nebraska. | | Description : | The American species of pennyroyal is an aromatic, soft-hairy annualplant; the erect, square, branching stem grows from 6 to 16 incheshigh and bears small, opposite, thin, ovate leaves which are sparinglytoothed. Axillary clusters of small, tubular, lavender or purplishflowers; calyx two-lipped, with 3 short and 2 longer teeth; appearfrom June to October. The whole plant has a pleasant, aromatic odor.
European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), or true pennyroyal, is similarto the American species in odor and uses. Do not confuse the two herbs. | | Constituents : | Ketone puligone and about 1% volatile oil.
Carminative, diaphoretic, emmenogogue (promote menstruation), antispasmodic,mild sedative, sudorific, stimulant, aromatic
Oil: anti-emetic (Do not use in pregnancy), anti-spasmodic,rubrifacent | | Uses : | Pennyroyal was commonly used in the 19th century medicine to induceperspiration at the beginning of a coldand to promote menstruation. It was taken also with brewer's yeastto induce abortion. It is helpful against nausea and nervous conditionsbut should not be taken during pregnancy. Native Americans used pennyroyaltea for headaches and formenstrual cramps, PMS,and pain. The tea also make agood external wash for skin eruptions, bruises, rashes, and itching.
Used for phlegm, respiratory disorders, jaundice,nausea, ulcers, consumption,dropsy, toothache, leprosy,whooping cough, convulsions, soresin the mouth, colic, snakebites,expel after-birth, soregums, fainting, fever, andgout. Purifiesthe blood, relieves gasand stomach pain, stimulates uterine contractions. Oil used externallyfor rheumatism and insectrepellent.
Also used as a flavoring. | | Dosage : | Infusion: use 1 tsp. herb with 1 cup hot water. Take 1 to2 cups a day.
Tincture: take 20-30 drops at a time, as needed. For children,give small, frequent doses.
Extract: 20-60 drops in liquid daily for relief of symptoms. | | Safety : | All essential oils are life-threatening if taken internally. To takepennyroyal oil internally to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is verydangerous and in a few cases has resulted in death. There is possiblefetal damage from the use of pennyroyal in any form during pregnancy.
Ingesting essential oil can be lethal; contact with essential oil(a popular insect repellent) can cause dermatitis.
May cause severe kidney/liver damage used in excess of 2 ounces.
Do not be used during pregnancy, it is a uterine stimulant.
Use only with medical supervision. | | Myths : | Flavorful and fragrant tea with a somewhat minty taste. Another ofthe teas used as an oriental tea substitute during the American Revolution.
Back in olden times when abortion was illegal, pennyroyal was usedto induce abortion. In some cases it resulted in hemorrhage and seriouscomplications for the mother. Therefore, it should never be used forthat purpose. Helps in labor and delivery, though. Do not use withoutmedical supervision.
The oil of this herb is a good insect repellent.
Strip the leaves from the stalk, put the leaves in a muslin bag,sew up the bag and put in pets bed. Fleas are chased away. Or sprinklewith pennyroyal oil or essence. | | Sold : | The oil externally applied wards off mosquitoes. For this purposeit is used alone or combined with citronella. |
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