European Pennyroyal

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Note: The archived version of this monograph has been temporarily removed. For an electronic copy of this archived version, please contact the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) at NHPD_DPSN@hc-sc.gc.ca.

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Date: April 11, 2008

Proper name(s): Mentha pulegium L. (Lamiaceae) (USDA 2006)

Common name(s): European pennyroyal (McGuffin et al. 2000)

Source material(s): Aerial parts (BHP 1983)

Route(s) of administration: Oral

Dosage form(s): Those suited to the allowable route(s) of administration.
This monograph is not intended to include food-like dosage forms such as bars, chewing gums or beverages.

Use(s) or Purpose(s): Statement(s) to the effect of:

• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to aid digestion (Williamson et al. 1988; BHP 1983; Grieve 1971 [1931]).
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve flatulent dyspepsia (carminative) (Williamson et al. 1988; BHP 1983).
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve intestinal colic (Williamson et al. 1988; BHP 1983) (anti-spasmodic) (BHP 1983; Grieve 1971 [1931]).

Dose(s): With the exception of alcoholic extracts with a ratio other than 1:1: Preparations equivalent to 2-12 g dried aerial parts, per day (BHP 1983; Grieve 1971 [1931])

Notes:

• In view of the toxicity of European pennyroyal oil (Barnes et al. 2007), alcoholic extracts with a ratio other than 1:1 are not permitted.
• See Appendix 1 for examples of appropriate dosage preparations and frequencies of use, according to cited references. The purpose of Appendix 1 is to provide guidance to industry.

Duration of use: For occasional use only (Brinker 2001; Brinker 2000)

Risk information: Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and warning(s):   

• Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen.
• Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have liver or kidney problems (Brinker 2001).
• Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are taking acetaminophen (Brinker 2000).

Contraindication(s): Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding (Brinker 2001).

Known adverse reaction(s):  No statement required.

Non-medicinal ingredients: Must be chosen from the current NHPD List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients and must meet the limitations outlined in the list.

Specifications: Must comply with the minimum specifications outlined in the current NHPD Compendium of Monographs.

References cited:

Barnes J, Anderson LA, Philipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3^rd edition. London (UK): The Pharmaceutical Press; 2007.

BHP 1983: British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Cowling (UK): British Herbal Medical Association; 1983.

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3^rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2001.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3^rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2000.

Grieve M. A Modern Herbal, Volume 1. New York (NY): Dover Publications; 1971 [Reprint of 1931 Harcourt, Brace & Company publication].

McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. Herbs of Commerce, 2^nd edition. Silver Spring (MD): American Herbal Products Association; 2000.

USDA 2006: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).  Mentha pulegium L.  National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2008-04-11]. Available from: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl

Williamson EM, Evans FJ, Wren RC. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Saffron Walden (UK): C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 1988.

References reviewed:

Bakerink JA, Gospe SM Jr, Dimand RJ, Eldridge MW. Multiple organ failure after ingestion of pennyroyal oil from herbal tea in two infants. Pediatrics 1996;98(5):944-947.

Buechel DW, Haverlah VC, Gardner ME. Pennyroyal oil ingestion: report of a case. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 1983;82(10):793-794.

Burkhard PR, Burkhardt K, Haenggeli CA, Landis T. Plant-induced seizures: reappearance of an old problem. Journal of Neurology 1999;246(8):667-670.

Duke JA, Bogenschutz-Godwin MJ, duCellier J, Duke PK.  Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, 2^nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2002.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory, Volume 2, 18^th edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 1983 [Reprint of 1898 original].

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, editors.  PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2^nd edition. Montvale (NJ): Medical Economics Co.;1998.

Sullivan JB Jr, Rumack BH, Thomas H Jr, Peterson RG, Bryson P. Pennyroyal oil poisoning and hepatotoxicity. Journal of the American Medical Assocation 1979;242(26):2873-2874.

Thomassen D, Slattery JT, Nelson SD. Menthofuran-dependent and independent aspects of pulegone hepatotoxicity: roles of glutathione. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics 1990;253(2):567-572.

Tisserand R, Balacs T. Essential oil safety. Edinburgh (Scotland): Churchill Livingstone; 1995.

Vallance WB. Pennyroyal poisoning: A fatal case. Lancet 1955;269(6895):850-851.

Appendix 1: Examples of appropriate dosage preparations and frequencies of use

Dried aerial parts: 1-4 g, 3 times per day (BHP 1983)

Infusion: 1-4 g dried aerial parts, 3 times per day (BHP 1983)

Fluidextract:     

• 1-4 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
  (1:1, 45% alcohol, 1-4 ml) (BHP 1983)
• 2-4 g dried equivalent, per day
  (1:1, 1-4 ml) (Grieve 1971 [1931])