Uses and Special precautions of Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal is a plant. The oil and leaves are used to make medicine. Throughout history, both American pennyroyal and European pennyroyal have been used interchangeably as a source of oil.
Despite serious safety concerns, pennyroyal is used for colds, pneumonia, and other breathing problems. It is also used for stomach pains, gas, intestinal disorders, and liver and gallbladder problems.
Uses
Women use it to start or regulate their menstrual periods, or to cause an abortion.
Pennyroyal is also used to control muscle spasms, cause sweating, and increase urine production.
Some people use it as a stimulant and to counteract weakness.
Pennyroyal is applied to the skin to kill germs, keep insects away, and treat skin diseases. It is also used topically for gout, venomous bites, and mouth sores; and as a flea-killing bath.
In foods, pennyroyal is used for flavoring.
In manufacturing, pennyroyal oil is used as a dog and cat flea repellent; and as a fragrance for detergents, perfumes, and soaps.
Hepatotoxicity
There have been many reported cases of pennyroyal oil toxicity, usually arising within a few hours of ingestion. Cardiovascular collapse with disseminated intravascular coagulation is the usual presentation, but some patients develop acute liver injury with marked elevations in serum aminotransferase levels and early signs of liver failure, such as prolongation of the prothrombin time and hepatic encephalopathy. The clinical pattern of liver injury is acute hepatic necrosis that, if severe, can lead to acute liver failure and death. Immunoallergic features are uncommon. Liver biopsy shows marked centrilobular necrosis which can resemble shock or acute acetaminophen overdose.
Special precautions & warnings
Pennyroyal is LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone to use, but it is especially unsafe for children and people with the following conditions.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, it is LIKELY UNSAFE to take pennyroyal by mouth or apply it to your skin. There is some evidence that pennyroyal oil can cause abortions by causing the uterus to contract. But the dose needed for this effect could kill the mother or cause her life-long kidney and liver damage.
Pennyroyal leaf tea seems to be able to start menstruation, which could also threaten a pregnancy.
Children: It is LIKELY UNSAFE to give children pennyroyal by mouth. Two infants developed serious liver and nervous system injuries after taking pennyroyal, and one infant died.
);
