Pennyroyal American vs Mentha longifolia

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Pennyroyal American

Hedeoma pulegioides

Digestive

Digestive

Pennyroyal American

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Mentha longifolia

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

North American mint-family herb with similar uses to European pennyroyal; used by Indigenous peoples as insect repellent and digestive herb.

Wild mint widespread across Europe, Asia, and Africa; used in traditional medicine across many cultures.

Active Compounds

pulegone, isopulegone, menthone, flavonoids

pulegone, piperitenone, menthol traces, carvone, beta-pinene

Traditional Uses

Insect repellent by many Native American tribes, Digestive complaints, Emmenagogue for delayed menses, Headache treatment

digestive disorders, fever, respiratory infections, headache

Modern Uses

Insect repellent, Digestive stimulant, Emmenagogue

antipyretic, carminative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory

Adult Dosage

Topical insect repellent; very small doses as tea (digestive only)

3-5g dried herb or 2-3ml tincture daily

Contraindications

Pregnancy, Large doses (hepatotoxic), Kidney disease, Liver disease

pregnancy large amounts - pulegone emmenagogue, GERD

Side Effects

Hepatotoxicity in large doses, Uterine stimulation, Convulsions in high doses

GI upset, liver concerns with pulegone-rich preparations

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E