Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Pennyroyal

PENNYROYAL (Mentha pulegium), a species of mint, a native of Europe and western Asia, abundant in England and in some parts of Ireland, not found wild in Scotland, though sometimes grown there in gardens for its reputed medicinal qualities. It enjoys a high popular reputation as an emmenagogue, but no dependence may be placed in its efficacy. The name pennyroyal is given in North America to a small plant, hedeoma pulegioides, allied to the mints, and having, like them, a pleasant aromatic smell and a warm pungent taste. It is much in use in domestic medicine, in the form of a warm infusion, to promote perspiration and as an emmenagogue.