Welcome to Kirsten's Herbal Garden...PENNYROYAL
Flowering Pennyroyal, July, 2008, Seattle, WA (Photo:K. Anderberg)
Pennyroyal grows to look like sticks with little balls on them at intervals. In summer, the balls on the sticks bloom into purple-pinkand white furry flowers.
Pennyroyal has killing properties...herbal midwives used it as an abortive in the past, and it is a potent insecticide. Once I hung a bouquet of freshly picked pennyroyal in a
corner of my bedroom. It looked and smelled nice. But in no time, the bouquet began to collect dead bugs. Bugs were flying into the bouquet and then dying from something in the
pennyroyal.
Rosemary is often used in insect repellent recipes, and you can smell a similarity between rosemary and pennyroyal. I think pennyroyal has a very refreshing smell. Every
summer
outside Eugene, OR, I used to attend the Oregon Country Fair. They would mow the fairgrounds just before the fair, so every year when I got there to camp before the fair started,
there was an overwhelming smell of pennyroyal as it lets out a strong aroma when cut down with the grass as they mowed.
Due to its insecticide/infantcide, etc. qualities, pennyroyal is not recommended for ingestion. It can be used externally in small amounts though as an insect repellent, in baths, salves, etc.
You can make your own bug repellent by using a base oil, such as olive, coconut or almond oil, and adding as much herb as possible while keeping the mixture somewhat liquid still. It is easier to use dried herbs than fresh for this. Simmer pennyroyal, eucalyptus, rosemary, and any other herbs known to act as bug repellents in the oil in a double boiler over boiling water for about an hour. Cool. Strain. Bottle and use the bug oil as you would normally use a bug repellent.
Abbreviations: (t. = teaspoon, T. = Tablespoon, c. = cup)
DISCLAIMER: Do not eat or drink tea from any plant you have not fully studied and identified properly. Please consult with your local alternative herbal care specialist before using herbs you are not familiar with.
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