American Pennyroyal, American false pennyroyal

Hedeoma pulegioides

Physical Characteristics

Hedeoma pulegioides is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

N. America - S. Quebec to Minnesota and S. Dakota, then south to Tennessee and Arkansas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Condiment The leaves have a very strong mint-like aroma and taste[171], they can be brewed into a refreshing tea that promotes good digestion, or they can be used as a culinary flavouring[183, 238]. An essential oil from the plant is used by the food industry as a flavouring in beverages, ice cream, baked goods etc[183].

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Birthing aid Carminative Diaphoretic Rubefacient Stimulant American pennyroyal has a long history of medicinal use by various native North American Indian tribes and has become a traditional household remedy in North America[238]. It is used mainly in the treatment of digestive disorders, colds, whooping cough, painful menstruation and as an aid in childbirth[238]. A tea made from the leaves or flowering stems is carminative, rubefacient, stimulant[46, 61, 171]. It is used to treat colds because it promotes perspiration[207]. A tea with brewers yeast can induce an abortion[213]. The plants are harvested when flowering and can be used fresh or dried[213, 238]. The essential oil is distilled from the plants when they are in flower and used medicinally in the same ways as the leaves. Caution is advised since the pure essential oil is very toxic and ingestion can be lethal whilst skin contact can cause dermatitis[222, 238].

Known Hazards

In large quantities this plant, especially in the form of the extracted essential oil, can be toxic if taken internally[222]. Skin contact with the pure essential oil can cause dermatitis[222]