AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Pennyroyal (MENTHA PULEGIUM)

Strong pungent and aromatic emmenagogue, antispasmodic, & expectorant from the mint family.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Pennyroyal (also Penny Royal) is sharp, peppery and aromatic. Surprisingly, it is also cooling and bitter. This makes it ideal for wind-heat (hyperactive immune response and high fever). It is also an expectorant mucolytic for cold, damp lungs.

The sharpness and aromatic nature stimulates the heart and dilates vessels, making pennyroyal an effective blood mover. It's blood moving qualities clear stagnation of the uterus. It is superb for spasmodic dysmenorrhea, and as an effective emmenagogue.

Its blood moving qualities make it an effective expectorant, at dispersing blood in cases of swelling and bruise (contusion), and as an antidote to poison. It's strong nature repels insects, giving it the name 'fleamint' and 'herbes aux puces' in french.

The aromatic nature opens and relaxes all the 'tubes' of the body - smooth muscle tissue. This reduces colic of bowels, blood vessels, uterus, and lungs. Aromatic herbs also relax the nerves, making Pennyroyal effective for epilepsy and cramping. Its cold properties were used in Morocco for heat stroke related spasms.

As it is sharp, aromatic, and bitter, it is a superb digestive and cholagogue.

Avoid when pregnancy or breastfeeding, as it is abortifascient. Pennyroyal contains the ketone pulegone which is a neurotoxin.

SUGGESTED USE

1 dropper full 2x/day or as directed by your practitioner.
How should I take my tincture?
Follow these guidelines

Metabolic Nature of Pennyroyal

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Guna Help

Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)

Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

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DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

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LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

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LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

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TOXIC

ABOUT TOXIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body.

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TASTES
Taste Help

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes, laxative, and drying.

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

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DOSHAS
Dosha Help

The Three Doshas / Body Types

According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.

The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Subtaste:
Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS


Affinity: Digestion, Liver Gallbladder, Mind Stress Sleep, Reproductive Health, Respiratory Health
Family: Lamiaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Pennyroyal
Help
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

Appetizer

APPETIZER

Herbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat.

SEE ALL 'APPETIZER' FOODS / HERBS

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Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

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Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

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Numbs Anasthetic

NUMBS-ANASTHETIC

Inhibits sensation in a particular area.

SEE ALL 'NUMBS-ANASTHETIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Stimulates Crown

STIMULATES-CROWN

Creates a feeling of awareness or tension in the area at the top of the head.

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Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

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Diaphoretic

STRONG DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Rubefacient

RUBEFACIENT

An herb used topically that causes dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation. The skin will appear red or flushed.

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Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

Antipyretic

STRONG ANTIPYRETIC

Reduces a fever / febrifuge.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPYRETIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Antipoisonous

ANTIPOISONOUS

An antidote for a poison. Many anti-poisonous herbs draw out a poison and are good for insect bites. Others help burn it up.

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Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

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Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Oxytocic

STRONG OXYTOCIC

Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions, and prepares the uterus for labor. It has a vasoconstricting effect. Emotionally, it is tribal.

SEE ALL 'OXYTOCIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Abortifacient

ABORTIFACIENT

An abortifacient is a substance that induces abortion. These herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy.

SEE ALL 'ABORTIFACIENT' FOODS / HERBS

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Emmenagogue

EMMENAGOGUE

Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

SEE ALL 'EMMENAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Relieves Tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

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Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Essential Oil,
Iron

IRON

Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.

SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS

Toxicity: Moderate - Not for long term use.

Foods with a Similar Nature to Pennyroyal

Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Carminative, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Relieves-tension, Abortifacient, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Expectorant, Rubefacient

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Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Expectorant, Rubefacient, Analgesic, Carminative, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Relieves-tension, Abortifacient

LEARN MORE

Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

Expectorant, Rubefacient, Analgesic, Carminative, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Relieves-tension, Abortifacient, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Dill

Dill has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Abortifacient, Appetizer, Digestive, Nervine, Antipyretic, Carminative, Diuretic, Vasodilator

LEARN MORE

Cloves

Cloves has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Numbs-anasthetic, Analgesic, Carminative, Expectorant, Rubefacient, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Vasodilator

LEARN MORE

Allspice

Allspice has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Carminative, Nervine, Vasodilator, Appetizer, Digestive, Numbs-anasthetic, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Muscle-relaxant, Rubefacient

LEARN MORE

Fenugreek

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

Antipyretic, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Oxytocic, Carminative, Digestive, Expectorant, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Nervine

LEARN MORE

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Carminative, Diuretic, Rubefacient, Appetizer, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Expectorant

LEARN MORE

Rosemary

Rosemary has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Muscle-relaxant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Digestive, Nervine, Cardiac-stimulant, Emmenagogue, Rubefacient, Analgesic

LEARN MORE

Cardamom

Cardamom has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Carminative, Diuretic, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Appetizer, Digestive, Nervine

LEARN MORE

Hing (Asafoetida)

Hing (Asafoetida) has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Digestive, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Emmenagogue, Vasodilator, Abortifacient, Carminative, Expectorant

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Pennyroyal

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Analgesic, Expectorant, Antispasmodic, Rubefacient, Appetizer, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Mugwort

Mugwort has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Oxytocic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Analgesic, Emmenagogue, Antispasmodic, Nervine

LEARN MORE

Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

Carminative, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Analgesic, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant

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Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Appetizer, Stimulates-crown, Cardiac-stimulant, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant

LEARN MORE

Angelica

Angelica has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Nervine, Analgesic, Oxytocic, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

LEARN MORE

Blue Cohosh

Blue Cohosh has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Oxytocic

LEARN MORE

Yogaraj Guggulu

Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Emmenagogue, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Relieves-tension

LEARN MORE

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common

Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Analgesic, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant

LEARN MORE

Yarrow

Yarrow has these Actions in Common

Antipyretic, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Oxytocic, Analgesic, Vasodilator

LEARN MORE

Hops

Hops has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Nervine, Analgesic, Antipyretic, Carminative, Cholagogue

LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Pennyroyal may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Pennyroyal may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

HERB DRUG INTERACTION RISK

Here are some potential herb drug interactions. Please see your health care provider for more information.
  • Analgesic: If the mechanism of pain relief is narcotic, do not combine with antihistamines.
  • Cholagogue: Anything that strengthens or cleanses the liver can clear drugs mroe quickly, requiring a higher dose.
  • Decongests-Liver: Liver decongestants can clear medicines from the blood, reducing the effect of the drug.
  • Diuretic: Diuretics may clear pharmaceutical drugs more quickly, lowering the effect.
  • Muscle-relaxant: Do not combine muscle relaxants with antihistamines.

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