pennyroyal

American  

[pen-ee-roi-uhl] / ˌpɛn iˈrɔɪ əl /

noun

1. an aromatic Old World plant, Mentha pulegium, of the mint family, having clusters of small purple flowers and yielding a pungent essential oil used medicinally and as an insect repellent.

2. Also called mock pennyroyal.  a similar, related plant, Hedeoma pulegioides, of eastern North America, having bluish flowers growing from the leaf axils.

3. any of several other aromatic plants of the mint family.

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pennyroyal British  

/ ˌpɛnɪˈrɔɪəl /

noun

1. a Eurasian plant, Mentha pulegium, with hairy leaves and small mauve flowers, that yields an aromatic oil used in medicine: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

2. Also called: mock pennyroyal.  a similar and related plant, Hedeoma pulegioides, of E North America

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Etymology

Origin of pennyroyal

1520–30; penny + royal; replacing late Middle English puliol real < Anglo-French; Middle French poliol (< Latin *pūlēgiōlum, diminutive of pūlēgium pennyroyal) + real, earlier form of royal

Example Sentences

The herbs commonly used included pennyroyal and tansy.

From New York Times

Residents carried around bottles of peppermint oil and pennyroyal to mask the stench.

From Washington Post

However, today’s decision seems more likely to address videos promoting self-managed abortions with herbs like mugwort and pennyroyal, a practice many herbalists have warned is unreliable and can cause serious health problems.

From The Verge

“There’s no safe amount” of pennyroyal that can be ingested, Marino said, and applying the oil topically is also not advised.

From Seattle Times

Many women turned to herbal remedies such as pennyroyal, which were often effective in terminating pregnancy but could also be toxic.

From Los Angeles Times