Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Pennyroyal
Good Herb with a Bad Reputation
Family: Labiatae; (include Mints)
Genus and Species: Mentha Puiegium (European); Hedeoma PuJegioides (American)
Also known as: Pulegium, Hedeoma, Fleabane, Tickweed, Mosquito Plant, Squawmint
Parts used: Leaves and flower tops
Few healing herbs have a reputation as bad as pennyroyal’s - or as undeserved. Critics charge small amounts can be fatal. It is true that as little as 2 tablespoons of pennyroyal oil can cause death. But the dried herb is not dangerous. Pennyroyal’s highly aromatic leaves and flower tops are a safe decongestant, cough remedy, and digestive aid.
Known as Fleabane
Pennyroyal became popular during the first century after the Roman naturalist Pliny noted the aromatic plant repelled fleas, hence its name, fleabane. When rubbed on the skin or strewn, it also repels other insects, hence such common names as tickweed and mosquito plant.
In addition to its use against fleas, Pliny touted pennyroyal as a cough remedy and digestive aid and recommended hanging the plant in sickrooms in the belief its fragrance promoted Healing The Greek physician Dioscorides seconded Pliny’s recommendations, adding that pennyroyal stimulates menstruation and helps expel the afterbirth.
During the early Middle Ages, pennyroyal was recommended for truly bizarre purposes. Physician/philosopher Saint Albertus Magnus wrote that by covering drowning bees in its warm ashes, “they shall recover their lyfe after a space of one houre.” though it remains unclear why anyone would want to revive drowning bees.
English Herbalists Tout It
In the 16th century John Gerard touted pennyroyal’s ancient use as an expectorant: “Penny-royale taken with honey clean seth the lungs and cleareth the breast from all gross and thick humors”
Seventeenth-century English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper recommended the herb for many other conditions: “Drunk with wine, it is of singular service to those stung or bit by any venomous beast… applied to the nostrils with vinegar, it is very reviving [fori fainting ... being dried and burnt, it strengtheneth the gums, and is helpful for those troubled with the gout ... being applied as a plaster, it taketh away carbuncles [boils].”
Americans Adopt It
Early American colonists introduced European pennyroyal (M pulegium) into North America, but found the Indians already using the American herb (H. pulegioides) for similar uses-externally to dress wounds and repel insects and internally to treat colds, flu, cough, congestion, and to stimulate menstruation and abortion. Folk healers also recommended aromatic pennyroyal garlands for headache and dizziness.
During the early 19th century, Thomsonian herbalists packed pennyroyal leaves into the nostrils to treat nosebleeds. After the Civil War, the Eclectics adopted it as a stimulant. fever treatment, digestive aid, and menstruation promoter. Their text, King’s American Dispensatory, called it “an excellent remedy for the common cold” and recommended it for arthritis, whooping cough (pertussis), “colic in children … and hysteria” (menstrual discomforts).
Starting around 1887, the Eclectics were among the first to use pennyroyal oil, which they considered more convenient than the raw herb. They also recognized its potential hazards. King’s mentioned a case of pennyroyal poisoning caused by ingesting 1 tablespoon.
From 1831 to 1916, pennyroyal was listed in the U.S. Pnarmacopoeia as a stimulant, digestive aid, and menstruation promoter. From 1916 to 1931, pennyroyal oil was listed as an intestinal irritant and abortion inducer.
Contemporary herbalists advise against taking pennyroyal oil because of its toxicity, but they recommend using the herb externally as an insect repellent and treatment for cuts and burns. They also recommend taking the herb (not the oil) internally for colds, cough, upset stomach, flatulence, anxiety, and menstruation promotion.