Pennyroyal

History and Uses:
Pennyroyal is a member of the mint family that can be found in Europe, North America and parts of Asia. Pennyroyal was thought by the ancients to be a flea repellant, and it has been used as an alternative medicine for centuries, especially in England. A mildly spicy tea brewed from the leaves of the Pennyroyal plant is often recommended as a diaphoretic to inducing sweating to aid in eliminating toxins from the body. It also serves as a carminative to relieve gas and as a stimulant to digestive action and to relieve nausea. Pennyroyal, when brewed together with Yarrow, results in a tea that has been used by herbal healers as a treatment for relief of symptoms during the early stages of colds and flu. It is also consumed before retiring to bed for its mild sedative action. Pennyroyal tea has also been traditionally employed as an emmenagogue to promote menstrual flow, ease menstrual pain and during the onset of menopause to regulate menstrual flow. Pennyroyal must always be used under the auspices of a knowledgeable health care provider.