What is Pennyroyal? Also called squaw mint, mosquito plant, and pudding grass, Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a flowering plant that belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is native to regions Europe, North Africa, and Middle East.
Uses of Pennyroyal
As a culinary ingredient, pennyroyal used to be a staple in Greek and Roman cuisines. Greeks in the ancient times would often flavor their wines with this herb. In the case of the Romans, recipes from their cookbooks called for pennyroyal, together with more popular herbs today like coriander and oregano. Now, the herb is seldom used for this function.
With the strong and pungent odor of the herb, it has been used as a natural insect repellent for centuries.
In the medical field, its oil and leaves are used as a cure for a number of conditions and illnesses.
Health Benefits of Pennyroyal
Despite its risks, pennyroyal is known to be a remedy for colds, pneumonia, stomach pains, gas, intestinal disorders, increased urination, gout, liver, and gall bladder problems. Its oil and leaves are utilized in order to make medicines in the form of tea, extract, capsule, or tablet. However, oral consumption of the said herb is not recommended because of its association with serious liver and kidney damages.
Anal Fissure and Constipation
Anal fissure refers to a small tear or split in the lining of the anal canal that is usually due to constipation. Symptoms of the condition include pain when passing a bowel motion and bright red blood coming from the anus.
While most of the cases heal by themselves with prevention of constipation and proper hygiene, some cases can have a problem due to the pressure of passing bowel movements reopening the fissure. In even worse scenarios, the patient may have to undergo surgery.
The best way to cure anal fissure is to treat constipation, since majority of these cases are caused by chronic constipation. Suggestions for prevention and treatment include eating a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of water to soften stools, and making sure to wipe gently after going to the toilet.
Pennyroyal as Treatment
One way to treat constipation is by drinking pennyroyal tea. By mixing a teaspoon of the dried herb in a mug full of boiling water, the tea will help heal difficulty in bowel movements in no time.
The right dose of Mentha pulegium depends on various factors, including the consumer’s age, health, and other conditions. However, at this time, there is not yet enough scientific information to dictate the right dose of the said herb.
Although the herb has lots of health benefits, there are also a number of risks associated to it. That is why most health care professionals do not recommend consuming this type of plant in any form, especially when pregnant or nursing. It has been said that excessive consumption of this herb may lead to milk flow reduction or even abortion or miscarriage. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor first before taking this tea to ensure proper medication and to avoid complications.
It must also be kept in mind that consuming natural products for medicinal purposes are not always safe and do not ensure healing.
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