HERB - Re: Pennyroyal

Keith E. Brandt, M.D. wd9get at amsat.org
Sat Sep 26 19:11:45 PDT 1998


>Does anyone else know about  these Pennyroyal
>warnings?  

>From Varro Tyler's "Honest Herbal":

"American pennyroyal contains up to 2% of a volatile oil, and European
pennyroyal up to 1% of an even more disagreeable-smelling volatile oil.
Both oils consist of 85 to 92% pule gone and are therefore quite toxic,
causing severe liver damage even in relatively small amounts. Two
tablespoonfuls of pennyroyal oil caused the death of an 18-year-old
expectant mother in spite of intensive hospital treatment initiated juts
two hours after she took it. As little as 1/2 teaspoonful of the oil has
produced convulsions and coma in one individual. 
"While pennyroyal oil may indeed induce abortion, it does so only in lethal
or near-lethal doses. Such amounts would ordinarily not be obtained from
drinking a tea prepared from the herb....
"Pennyroyal tea possesses no therapeutic properties which could not be
obtained from more pleasant and effective medicaments. Therefore, internal
consumption of the herb has little to recommend it. Both the herb and oil
are commonly employed in collars or powders used to keep cats and dogs free
from fleas. Bunches of pennyroyal plants hung up to dry are also said to be
effective mosquito repellents."


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