THE PLANT

Mentga pulegium or more commonly Pennyroyal is a part of the mint family, native to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. A perennial herb it grows up to 50cm tall with smooth roundish stalks. The crushed gray/green oval leaves emit a strong fragrance similar to Spearmint. A traditional folk remedy and culinary herb it can also be toxic to humans.

THE OIL

The essential oil of pennyroyal is derived from the fresh plant by steam distillation and contains isomenthone, neomenthone, menthone and pulegone as its chief components. This oil is high in pulegone content and this makes it a deadly poison. It is due to this toxicity that the essential oil has great antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. 

FOR PERFUMERY

Pennyroyal essential oil provides a minty, spicy and slightly bitter fragrance, it is used occaisionaly in perfumery in the reproduction of other fragrances and for scenting soaps. 

FOR AROMATHERAPY

The health benefits of Pennyroyal essential oil can be attributed to many positive properties. It must be noted however due to it’s high toxicity that serious precaution must be taken and the oil must never be used unless administered by an expert practitioner. Some of the uses for the oil;

• Antimicrobial and antibacterial
• Anti-rheumatic and anti-arthritic
• Antiseptic
• Digestive
• Emmenagogue
• Insecticide
• Astringent
• Cordial
• Decongestant
• Stomachic

THE MARKET

Pennyroyal grows extensively in Morocco both wildly and cultivated. The market is strong with a steady supply. Atlassence sources our Pennyroyal from the Azrou region where it has been cultivated for many years.