Pennyroyal oil
Common name
European pennyroyal, American pennyroyal
ID
HD0050
Scientific name of the plant
Mentha pulegium, Hedeoma pulegoides
Anatomical part for use
leaf
Human use
Cough and cold
Summary
Mentha pulegium, commonly (European) pennyroyal, or pennyrile, also called squaw mint, mosquito plant and pudding grass, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Crushed pennyroyal leaves emit a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Pennyroyal is a traditional folk remedy, emmenagogue, abortifacient, and culinary herb, but is toxic to the liver and has caused some deaths. European pennyroyal is related to an American species, Hedeoma pulegioides. Though they differ in genera, they share similar chemical properties. (Source: Wiki)
Evidence Level
Level 1 (Individual reports from one medical center)
Hepatotoxicity reports in literature
- Pennyroyal oil poisoning and hepatotoxicity : (Source)
Hepatotoxicity Description
There have been many reported cases of pennyroyal oil toxicity, usually arising within a few hours of ingestion. Cardiovascular collapse with disseminated intravascular coagulation is the usual presentation, but some patients develop acute liver injury with marked elevations in serum aminotransferase levels and early signs of liver failure, such as prolongation of the prothrombin time and hepatic encephalopathy. The clinical pattern of liver injury is acute hepatic necrosis that, if severe, can lead to acute liver failure and death. Immunoallergic features are uncommon. Liver biopsy shows marked centrilobular necrosis which can resemble shock or acute acetaminophen overdose. (Source: LiverTox)
Common name
European pennyroyal, American pennyroyal
ID
HD0050
Scientific name of the plant
Mentha pulegium, Hedeoma pulegoides
Anatomical part for use
leaf
Human use
Cough and cold
Summary
Mentha pulegium, commonly (European) pennyroyal, or pennyrile, also called squaw mint, mosquito plant and pudding grass, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Crushed pennyroyal leaves emit a very strong fragrance similar to spearmint. Pennyroyal is a traditional folk remedy, emmenagogue, abortifacient, and culinary herb, but is toxic to the liver and has caused some deaths. European pennyroyal is related to an American species, Hedeoma pulegioides. Though they differ in genera, they share similar chemical properties. (Source: Wiki)
Evidence Level
Level 1 (Individual reports from one medical center)
Hepatotoxicity reports in literature
- Pennyroyal oil poisoning and hepatotoxicity : (Source)
Hepatotoxicity Description
There have been many reported cases of pennyroyal oil toxicity, usually arising within a few hours of ingestion. Cardiovascular collapse with disseminated intravascular coagulation is the usual presentation, but some patients develop acute liver injury with marked elevations in serum aminotransferase levels and early signs of liver failure, such as prolongation of the prothrombin time and hepatic encephalopathy. The clinical pattern of liver injury is acute hepatic necrosis that, if severe, can lead to acute liver failure and death. Immunoallergic features are uncommon. Liver biopsy shows marked centrilobular necrosis which can resemble shock or acute acetaminophen overdose. (Source: LiverTox)