Mint Pennyroyal: Its 7 Properties And Health Benefits
Today and throughout history, there are many infusions that have enjoyed great popularity among various cultures and population groups, using various herbs with useful medicinal properties to relieve certain ailments or generate alterations in our blood levels. activation or state of mind.
Tea or chamomile are probably the best known, as well as (although we don’t usually stop to identify it as such) coffee. Another of the plants that are used to make infusions is pennyroyal which we are going to talk about throughout this article.
Pennyroyal is the popular name we give to “Mentha pulegium”, a type of aromatic plant that, like rosemary, oregano, sage or basil, is part of the Lamiaceae family. It is one of the best-known forms of mint, which has been used for centuries in the Mediterranean and the East for multiple purposes, from insect repellent to flavoring to its use as a medicinal herb.
Pennyroyal is a plant that It has numerous properties that make it recommended to help combat numerous discomforts and promote our well-being, but nevertheless some of its components can be toxic (especially pulegone). In general, the entire plant is used and consumed, although the most common thing is that the leaves are used to make infusions.
There are multiple properties of pennyroyal that make it a useful herb in its many presentations, especially when used as an infusion. Among these beneficial properties, some of the main ones are the following:
1. Promotes digestion and reduces intestinal discomfort
Mint pennyroyal is very useful in promoting the digestive process.
Specifically, it has a cholagogue effect, which implies that it generates the expulsion of bile from the gallbladder (something essential for the digestive process) and in turn facilitates evacuation. In addition to this it is antispasmodic, reducing sudden contractions or spasms that can occur at the visceral level It also has the interesting property of facilitating the expulsion of gases, something that reduces possible discomfort.
2. Stimulates appetite
It has been observed that pennyroyal is a plant that has the ability to promote an increase in appetite and hunger, something that can be useful in those people who have little appetite (for example when faced with upsets or depression).
3. Contributes to the regulation of the menstrual cycle
Pennyroyal has been shown to have an emmenagogic effect, which implies that the action of this plant can promote the expulsion of menstrual flow. This makes it useful for those people with alterations, deregulation or stops of the menstrual cycle. The aforementioned antispasmodic effect It also makes premenstrual syndrome less
4. Facilitates exudation
Another useful property of this plant is the fact that it can help lower the level of fever and body temperature thanks to the fact that it causes increased sweating.
In addition to the previous properties, another advantage of pennyroyal is that fights different bacteria and parasites, as well as some species of fungi In this way, it is often used both as an infusion to take orally and to clean wounds externally or even as a mouthwash.
6. Helps combat cold symptoms and mild respiratory disorders
Peppermint pennyroyal is also used both as an infusion and vaporized. for the treatment of some conditions such as the common cold or bronchitis , since it has a mild antitussive effect and facilitates the expulsion of mucus. This is due to menthol, which it has like the rest of the plants of the mentha genus.
7. Relaxing
Stress and anxiety can be slightly reduced with an infusion of pennyroyal, which helps you relax and facilitates rest and sleep
Risks and contraindications
Although pennyroyal is a relatively popular herb and especially used when preparing infusions (in which case the low concentration of the components of this plant means that it is generally not harmful), the truth is that it also can cause adverse health effects
Therefore, in certain conditions it may be contraindicated, especially when excessive consumption occurs. The risk is usually higher when what is being used is the essential oil
To begin with, it must be taken into account that this plant can be irritating, something that can cause burning and pain throughout the digestive tract. Furthermore, if consumed in excess it can cause everything from diarrhea to headaches to gastrointestinal problems.
The most significant aspects are the fact that pennyroyal can be toxic at the kidney and liver level, and its consumption should be avoided by people with insufficiency or problems related to these organs.
Also affects iron absorption , making it difficult and reducing its levels, and could even lead to hypoglycemia. That is why it is recommended that people with anemia do not consume it.
Besides is contraindicated during pregnancy since it favors the appearance of contractions in the uterus, something that in high doses can end up facilitating an abortion or premature birth. Neither in breastfeeding nor in children under two years of age.
