Evidence supporting the use of: Pennyroyal
For the body system: Female Reproductive System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) has a long history of traditional use to support the female reproductive system, particularly for its purported emmenagogue properties—meaning it was believed to stimulate menstrual flow or regulate menstruation. Historical texts and folk medicine practices cite pennyroyal as a remedy for delayed or suppressed menstruation and as a means to address menstrual discomfort. However, this use is based on anecdotal and traditional wisdom rather than modern scientific research.
Scientific studies on pennyroyal’s effectiveness for reproductive health are lacking, and there is no robust clinical evidence validating its benefits for the female reproductive system. More importantly, pennyroyal contains compounds (notably pulegone) that are highly toxic to the liver and can cause serious, sometimes fatal, health effects, including multi-organ failure. Because of its significant toxicity, especially when ingested as an oil or in large amounts, its use is strongly discouraged in modern herbalism and medicine.
In summary, pennyroyal’s reputation for supporting the female reproductive system is rooted in tradition rather than science. Its high risk profile outweighs any potential benefits, and it is not considered safe for use in this context today.
Other ingredients that support Female Reproductive System
25-d-spirosta-3, 5-diene27-deoxyactein
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
8-Prenylnaringenin
Abuta
Agnuside
AHCC
Alchemilla
Aletris
amino acids
anamu
anemarrhena asphodeloides
Anemone
Angelica
animal protein
anise
Anserina
Ashoka
ashwagandha
barbasco
basil
Belamcanda
bethroot
betony
bird\'s nest
black cohosh
blessed thistle
blue cohosh
borage oil
broccoli
bugbane
Caesalpinia crista
Calochortus
casticin
Ceylon leadwort
chaste tree
Chinese pond turtle
Chlorophytum
Clary sage
Cnidium
cohosh
cramp bark
Crinum latifolium
Cynomorium
d-alpha tocopherol
daidzein
damiana
dandelion
date
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dioscorea
diosgenin
dodder
dong quai
dong quai root
egg
eleuthero
equol (proprietary)
Erythrina
estrogen
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
false unicorn root
fatty acids
fennel
fenugreek
flaxseed
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
formononetin
furostanols
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
genistein
giant trillium
ginger
Ginsenosides
goat\'s rue
golden ragwort
goldenseal
guelder rose
herbal blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
HMR lignan
horny goat weed
Hypericum
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
indole-3-carbinol
inositol
inositol phosphate
isoflavones
jasmine
jujube
Kigelia africana
Labisia pumila
labrador tea
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus jensenii
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lady's Mantle
Laminaria
Leptadenia
lignans
ligustilides
lingzhi
linoleic acid (LA)
lipids
Loranthus
maca
macaenes
macamides
mandrake
Marine lipid
Miroestrol
Montanoa tomentosa
Motherwort
Mugwort
Nettle
Nigella seed
omega-3 fatty acids
Pennyroyal
peony
Phytoestrogens
polyunsaturated fat
Puerain
Pulsatilla
raspberry
red clover
rose
rose oil
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubus
rue
Safed musli
saffron
selenium
Shataverins
shepherd's purse
Sichuan Lovage
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
soybean
Sparganium
spearmint leaf
squawvine
Szechuan lovage
Taxillus chinensis
trace minerals
tribulus
turmeric
Vervain
Viburnum
vitamin B
vitamin B6
vitamin E
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Vitexicarpin
White Dead Nettle Flower
Wild yam
Wood betony
Yarrow
Yarrow
Other body systems supported by Pennyroyal
Digestive SystemFemale Reproductive System
Gastrointestinal Tract
Respiratory System
Urinary System
Uterus
