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Common Name: American Pennyroyal

General Information

Hedeoma pulegioides is an annual plant that can grow up to 0.30 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

Range

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

Habitat

Dry soils[43 in open woods and fields[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained acidic soil of low to moderate fertility[]. Another report says that it prefers a rich sandy soil in sun or partial shade[].
The plants neat habit and aromatic foliage make it a good candidate for growing in containers or planting near seats[].

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

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[]. It is used mainly in the treatment of digestive disorders, colds, whooping cough, painful menstruation and as an aid in childbirth[]. A tea made from the leaves or flowering stems is carminative, rubefacient, stimulant[, , ]. It is used to treat colds because it promotes perspiration[]. A tea with brewers yeast can induce an abortion[]. The plants are harvested when flowering and can be used fresh or dried[, ].
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[, ].

Other Uses

The essential oil is used as an ingredient in commercial insect repellents and cleaning products[].
The plant is used as an insect repellent[, ]. When rubbed on the body it is said to repel ticks[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in spring or autumn[].