🌿 Pennyroyal Leaf (Mentha pulegium)

Origin: Croatia
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Parts Used: Leaf
Primary Use: Internal & Aromatic
Also known as: European Pennyroyal • Hilwort • Pudding Grass

✨ Description

Pennyroyal is a bold, aromatic member of the mint family, known for its fresh, penetrating scent and bright green leaves. Though soft in appearance, this herb carries a powerful energetic signature — sharp, stimulating, and decisive.

With a minty, slightly peppery profile, Pennyroyal has been used for centuries in teas, tonics, and aromatic preparations that invigorate the senses and address stagnation in the body. Historically valued as a women’s autonomy herb, it was used to encourage the onset of delayed menstrual cycles and support the body through hormonal irregularities.

Beyond its effects on the reproductive system, Pennyroyal is prized for its ability to help the body reduce uric acid, making it a traditional remedy for gout, stiff joints, and kidney-related buildup.

Despite its pleasant flavor, Pennyroyal is a strong, controversial herb — deeply rooted in women’s history, sovereignty, and natural self-determination.

🍵 Traditional Uses (Internal)

Used in very small amounts and always with respect, Pennyroyal may support:

Women’s Wellness

• Encouraging a delayed cycle
• Supporting hormonal stagnation
• Easing menstrual heaviness caused by coldness or sluggish circulation
• Folk use for autonomy in reproductive decisions

Kidneys & Uric Acid

• Reduces uric acid levels
• Supports joint stiffness related to uric accumulation
• Light detoxification and fluid movement

Digestive & Aromatic Support

• Fresh, mint-like digestive relief
• Helps with belly discomfort from stagnation
• Pleasantly stimulating and warming

Directions (Traditional):
Steep lightly — 1/4 to 1/2 tsp in boiling water for 5–10 minutes.
(This herb is potent and should be used in very small amounts.)

Pairs well with:
Spearmint • Ginger • Lemon Balm • Orange Peel • Cinnamon • Catnip • Soursop Leaf

🌴 Cultural & Historical Significance

Pennyroyal appears throughout European, Mediterranean, and early American herbal records, often connected to rituals of women’s protection, cycle regulation, and bodily autonomy. It was also used in colonial-era Caribbean households as a mint alternative and as a warming tea for “stagnant blood” and cold womb conditions.

In folklore, Pennyroyal was used to strengthen intention, create boundaries, and promote decisive change — an herb tied to personal sovereignty and empowerment.

💧 External Uses

• Can be used as a topical soak for soreness
• Light aromatherapy for mental clarity
• Historically used for natural flea-repelling rinses (never internal for pets)

🔮 Energetic & Metaphysical Uses

Energetics: Warming, dispersing, clearing
Element: Air + Fire
Spiritual Associations:

• Autonomy
• Boundaries
• Courageous decision-making
• Clearing stagnant energy

Affirmation:
“I release what no longer belongs in my body, my space, or my spirit.”

⚠️ Warnings (Very Important)

Pennyroyal is a potent herb and must be respected.

Do NOT use internally if:

• Pregnant
• Nursing
• Attempting to conceive
• You are a child or infant
• You have liver or kidney disease
• You have heavy menstrual bleeding
• You are taking certain medications

Avoid large doses under all circumstances; keep away from pets.
Use only under guidance of a knowledgeable herbalist.

💬 Note from the Herbalist

“Pennyroyal is a powerful autonomy herb — one I only recommend with clear intentions and full understanding of its strength. For hormonal stagnation, delayed cycles, and emotional heaviness in the womb space, it can be incredibly supportive. Its minty flavor makes it deceptively pleasant, but this is a serious herb used for serious reasons. Respect its potency, honor its history, and use it only when truly needed.”
— Zaakira Galloway, Herbalist & Founder, Island Roots Botanicals