PENNYROYAL OIL

Chemical properties

European pennyroyal essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the fresh or partially dried plant (M. pulegium L.). It has a distinct, mint-like, pleasant odor and bitter, somewhat herbaceous flavor.

Physical properties

The oil is a light yellow to yellow liquid. It is soluble in most fixed oils and propylene glycol. It is soluble in mineral oil with slight cloudiness. It is practically insoluble in glycerin.

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Mentha pulegium, Labiatae.

Essential oil composition

Its main constituents include l-alpha-pinene, l-limonene, d-pulegone, l-menthone, d-isomenthone, piperitone, menthol, 1-methyl-3-cyclohexanone, n-l-octen-3-ol, 1-methyl-3-cyclohexanol and 1,1,3-trimethyl-4-cyclopentenone.

Safety Profile

Experimental poison by ingestion. A skin irritant. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes