Pennyroyal, Gerard's Herbal: The General History of Plants, Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, HATCH 39&40

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal is described as "so well known unto all, I mean the common kind, that it needeth no description" by Nicholas Culpeper. [1] Gerard writes that “Pulegium regium vulgatum is exceedingly well known to the English Nation, that it needeth no description, being our common Pennie Royall." [2] Two writers saying that a description is unnecessary indicates that this plant was so common in England that the intended audience would have no trouble identifying it. They would be more interested in the virtues of the plant, rather than the description of the plant itself.

The purported virtues of this plant stretch from breaking up kidney stones, to women's health. In order to get rid of kidney stones or treat menstrual cramps, Gerard recommends boiling pennyroyal in wine and drinking it. He also suggests taking pennyroyal with honey to clear the lungs.