Content
For bees a treat, poisonous for humans: the pennyroyal
Pennyroyal is poisonous and not suitable for consumption
Peanut (Mentha pulegium) is not suitable for eating or as a natural herb in contrast to peppermint. Peanut contains toxins that can cause severe poisoning when eating large quantities. However, poisonings are not common because of the rarity of the pennyroyal.
Pennyroyal is poisonous
The toxin found in all parts of the pennyroyal is the pulegone contained in the essential oil. If the substance is absorbed by the plant, various symptoms of intoxication occur:
If polynuclear was inadvertently consumed, consult a doctor immediately.
In the past, pennyroyal was drunk as tea to induce abortions. Because of the resulting deaths and also because of the very rare occurrence Polniminze is no longer used as a natural remedy.
Tips
The non-toxic peppermint looks very similar to the pennyroyal. The most important distinguishing feature is the stamens, which protrude from the flowers at the pennyroyal. Also on the hairy flower throat can be detected pennyroyal.