Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, especially for gynecological conditions such as scanty menstruation. Historical texts from Europe and North America note its use as an emmenagogue—an agent that stimulates menstrual flow. Herbalists in the 17th to 19th centuries often recommended pennyroyal tea or extracts for women experiencing delayed or scanty periods. The active constituents, such as pulegone, are thought to have a mild uterine-stimulating effect, which might explain the traditional rationale. However, there is little to no high-quality scientific research confirming its efficacy for this indication. Most modern sources emphasize the significant risks associated with pennyroyal use, including severe liver and kidney toxicity and potential fatality, particularly when the essential oil is ingested. Therefore, while its use for scanty menstruation is well documented in folk medicine, there is insufficient scientific validation, and the safety concerns greatly outweigh any potential benefit. It is not recommended for use due to toxicity and the lack of robust clinical evidence.

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