Type of medicine: natural remedy
Scientific and common names: Mentha pulegium, Hedeoma pulegioides, American pennyroyal, European pennyroyal, mosquito plant, pudding grass, squawmint, stinking balm, lurk-in-the-ditch, pulegium, run-by-the-ground, squaw balm, tickweed
Pennyroyal is a plant that grows to 1 foot tall. It has bright lavender flowers arranged in circles around the stem. It has a strong peppermint scent. The leaf is used to make medicine.
Pennyroyal is not a safe treatment for any condition. Pennyroyal can damage the brain, liver, lung, and kidneys and may result in death. There is no safe use for pennyroyal.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.
Do not take pennyroyal by mouth and do not put it on the skin.
Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.
Pennyroyal can cause serious liver and kidney damage, coma, and death.
Do not take this remedy if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:
Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat); coma, trouble walking, seizures, hallucinating (seeing or hearing things that are not there), dizziness, vision and hearing problems, bleeding, severe breathing problems, trouble urinating, yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Other: Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, burning of the throat, fever, confusion, restlessness
It is not known if this remedy interacts with any medicines.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.
This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.
