Mentha pulegium, Pennyroyal
PARTS USED
Aerial parts.
USES
Similar in many respects to peppermint, pennyroyal is a good digestive tonic. It increases the secretion of digestive juices, relieves flatulence and colic, and occasionally is used as a treatment for intestinal worms. Pennyroyal makes a good remedy for headaches and for minor respiratory infections, helping to check fever and congestion. Pennyroyal powerfully stimulates the uterine muscles and encourages menstruation. An infusion of pennyroyal is used externally for the treatment of itchiness and formication (a sensation of ants crawling over the body), inflamed skin disorders such as eczema, and rheumatic conditions including gout.
Spearmint stimulates the skin’s oil production. Spearmint is thought to be mildly anesthetic and anti-inflammatory and has been used for hemorrhoids and joint pain. Spearmint is used as a flavouring for toothpaste and confectionery. In herbalism, spearmint is steeped as tea for treatment of stomach ache.
Data published in Phytotherapy Research shows that drinking two cups of spearmint tea a day for five days could reduce the level of androgens in women with hirsutism.
Other medical uses – Ovulation pain.