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Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). Perennial. Zones 6-9. This member of the mint family has a very pleasant aroma. It was used in the past to flavor desserts and was recommended as a tea to help relieve headache. The herb itself is relativly safe, but the concentrated essential oil, which is used in mixtures to repell insects, is not. It mustn't be used on pregnant animals or used by pregnant women as it causes abortion. It definitely should NOT be used for the purpose of intentionally causing abortion because it does liver damage. I did see one reference to the tea may have caused a miscarriage in a pregnant woman, but I only saw one reference to that. The tea shouldn't have concentrated essential oil in it but it probably would be a good idea to avoid drinking it if one is pregnant. Handling the plant causes no problems that I have seen reference to. The plant sometimes wintered through my Zone 5 garden, but it should be considered a tender perennial in Zone 5. It prefers full to part sun, moist, fertile soil. Can tolerate wet soil as long as it is not permanently wet. Stays low to the ground except when it flowers.
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