General considerations about pennyroyal tea

Pennyroyal tea has a composition rich in substances that help in the digestive process, improving intestinal transit, reducing the accumulation of gas and abdominal pain, such as menstrual cramps. In addition, this herb has a calming and sedative effect, very effective for alleviating stress and insomnia.

Due to its carminative properties, pennyroyal has proven to be an excellent natural alternative to assist in the process of weight loss, since it promotes a feeling of satiety. Furthermore, pennyroyal tea may also benefit babies, mainly to ease colic and increase immune protection.

However, even though it is considered a safe natural remedy, pennyroyal tea should be ingested under medical or phytotherapist guidance, since inappropriate consumption can cause unpleasant reactions. Therefore, read this article to the end and learn all about this plant and how to extract all its benefits.

Pennyroyal, what it is used for and how to prepare pennyroyal tea

Pennyroyal (Mentha Pulegium) is a plant known worldwide for curing diseases, especially respiratory and pulmonary ones. However, this aromatic herb can also be used in other ways. In this section, you will learn more about what it is used for, the ingredients and how to prepare pennyroyal tea. You will also learn how much of the tea should be consumed. Check it out below.

What is pennyroyal

The pennyroyal, also known as mint, St. Lawrence herb or wild mint, is a medicinal plant, originating in the Mediterranean and Western Asia. This aromatic herb receives the scientific name Mentha Pulegium and can easily be found in humid places, near rivers and lakes, for example.

Its most common use is in tea, as it has numerous health benefits, especially for treating respiratory and lung diseases. However, pennyroyal is also very popular in cooking and can be used in the preparation of savoury and sweet dishes.

What pennyroyal is used for

Rich in components that act on the body as a whole, pennyroyal has anti-inflammatory, vermifuge, expectorant, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, antispasmodic and many other properties that make this plant an excellent natural remedy.

Pennyroyal also serves as an insecticide, eliminating pests, fungi and parasites in and around plants. The essential oil of this plant has proven to be very effective as a repellent, but it should be used with caution as it is considered toxic, and can be harmful to health. Choose to use the leaves or steam pennyroyal tea.

Ingredients and how to prepare pennyroyal tea

To make pennyroyal tea is very simple and takes few minutes to make, you will need the following ingredients:

- 1 cup of water (approximately 200 ml);

- 1 dessert spoon of pennyroyal (preferably the dried leaves and flowers)

Directions:

1) In a pot, boil the water and add the pennyroyal;

2) Cover with a lid and leave to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes;

3) Strain and sweeten if you prefer, but the ideal is to consume the tea without sugar.

Recommended quantity

The recommended quantity of pennyroyal tea should not exceed 3 cups per day, and it may be consumed before or after meals. However, ingesting this beverage frequently is not recommended, as it tends to be harmful to health.

In cases of treatments that require more time for recovery, such as flu, the tea should be consumed under medical supervision so that the correct dosage is prescribed.

Benefits of pennyroyal tea

Pennyroyal is a plant composed of several medicinal properties that are beneficial for treating both diseases and skin lesions. This is due to its carminative action, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, vermifuge, expectorant, among others.

Therefore, the tea made from this herb helps to keep the body healthy and protected against infectious agents. Below, discover the main benefits of pennyroyal tea.

Calming effect

With the countless commitments and obligations of everyday life, there is a lack of time to deal with so many activities, which can generate a great emotional and mental wear. Soon, it is possible to feel the effects on the body, such as stress, anxiety, nervousness and constant mood swings.

Due to its calming effect, pennyroyal tea is a great natural alternative to feel calmer and more relaxed. In addition, the delicious aroma of this beverage helps to treat headaches, since in some medicines for that purpose there is the presence of pennyroyal in its composition.

Fights fever

Because it contains anti-inflammatory properties, pennyroyal tea is a powerful ally in combating fever and treating inflammation caused by infectious agents. In addition, the plant also has a sudorific action, stimulating the production of sweat, and thus, eliminating toxins from the body.

However, avoid taking the tea hot, because the tendency is to increase too much the body temperature, being that the intention is to reduce the fever. Thus, opt to take the drink cold, for the assets in the plant to act more efficiently.

Good for digestion

Drinking pennyroyal tea can be good for digestion, because the herb has active ingredients that improve intestinal transit, in addition to relieving the burning sensation in the stomach. Furthermore, ingesting this plant reduces abdominal pain caused by poor absorption of food in the body and helps eliminate fluid retention.

Swelling reduction

The feeling of a swollen abdomen tends to cause pain, constipation, and mess with the emotional. Feeling bloated and with discomfort, besides causing irritation, can also alter self-esteem, because the swelling causes the abdominal circumference to grow, and consequently, the weight increases.

The carminative and laxative properties present in pennyroyal tea eliminate the gases that accumulate in the intestine, besides reducing constipation. However, it is necessary to evaluate whether the production of gases are not associated with poor diet and the ingestion of alcoholic and carbonated beverages, such as soda.

Relief from menstrual cramps

The menstrual period for many women tends to be synonymous with body aches, mood swings and other unpleasant symptoms. Pennyroyal tea has substances capable of relaxing the abdominal muscles and pelvis, promoting the relief of menstrual cramps, besides reducing swelling and soothing the headache common at that time.

However, pennyroyal has emenagogue components, that is, the consumption of this plant, although beneficial to health, increases the flow of menstruation. Therefore, if your bleeding is very intense or if you suffer from uterine diseases, only take this tea under medical supervision.

Improved sleep quality

The excessive preoccupation, accompanied by other emotional disturbances usually trigger insomnia and later other harm to health. Therefore, the ideal is to sleep at least 8 hours a night to balance the body, stimulate thinking and memory, for example.

Therefore, pennyroyal tea contains in its composition sedative action that affects the central nervous system, relaxing the body and causing drowsiness, shortly after consuming the plant. Therefore, drink the tea 1 hour before going to bed, and avoid using electronic devices and bright lights in the environment.

Antiseptic, vermifuge and cicatrizant

Pennyroyal also has antiseptic, vermifuge and healing properties which are very effective for treating mouth and skin wounds, as well as eliminating intestinal worms and fighting bacteria, fungi and inflammation.

For the purpose of healing external injuries, macerate the leaves and place on the injured skin, thus alleviates discomfort and heals quickly. In the case of internal injuries or to expel parasites in the body, prepare pennyroyal tea.

Treatment of colds, flu and prevention of lung problems

Because it has an expectorant effect, pennyroyal tea is an excellent home remedy, as it has proven effective in treating colds, flus and preventing lung problems.

So, in case you feel that you are having runny nose, fever, stuffy nose or it is affecting your respiratory tract somehow, use this plant and get your body free from the viruses, infections or any inflammation affect your body.

Pennyroyal tea and weight loss

To stimulate weight loss, pennyroyal tea may be a good natural alternative because it is rich in nutrients and vitamins that improve the entire functioning of the body. However, it is necessary to understand how pennyroyal can be used in the process of losing weight, besides knowing how to consume it to reach your goal. Check it out below.

Can pennyroyal tea be used for weight loss?

Due to its composition, pennyroyal tea has become one of the natural alternatives to help in weight loss. It is possible to say that it can be used for this purpose, since the drink improves the process of digestion, besides reducing the retention of liquid, since it increases the production of urine in the body.

However, pennyroyal tea should be allied to a healthy lifestyle, with a balanced diet and the practice of physical exercises. Furthermore, consumption in large quantities tends to cause unpleasant side effects. Therefore, it is possible to lose weight in good health, as long as it is accompanied seriously and responsibly.

How to consume pennyroyal tea

With the intention of losing weight, pennyroyal tea may be consumed before a meal, to control the ingestion of excess food, or afterwards, as the beverage also causes the sensation of satiety. If you prefer, drink the tea every 6 hours, respecting an average of 3 cups, in other words, approximately 800 ml per day.

Excess consumption of this tea tends to cause vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration and loss of important substances for the functioning of the body. Therefore, do not exceed the daily recommendation and seek help from a nutritionist to indicate the right dosage to achieve your goal

The benefits of pennyroyal tea for weight loss

Pennyroyal tea contains substances that may help in the process of weight loss, as it has carminative and antispasmodic actions, responsible for eliminating gases, and consequently, abdominal swelling.

Besides that, pennyroyal releases enzymes in the organism that cause the loss of appetite. Thus, weight loss occurs, causing one to eat less, however, without ceasing to consume a beverage rich in nutrients and vitamins important for the organism.

Baby pennyroyal tea

Pennyroyal is a plant well known for fighting colds, relieving nasal congestion and many other benefits. But can babies also drink pennyroyal tea? In this topic, we will show you how this medicinal herb can help with health and well-being, even in the first years of life. To learn more, read on.

Babies can drink pennyroyal tea

Babies, despite the young age and with the organism still in formation, it is natural that there is concern about the ingestion of medicinal plants. After all, if not properly administered, it tends to present some side effects.

However, pennyroyal tea can be consumed by babies, since it has in its composition properties that are beneficial to the digestive system, in addition to relieving colic and increasing the absorption of food in the body.

The pennyroyal tea in the development of the baby's immunity

Because it contains vitamin C and ascorbic acid, pennyroyal tea can help in the development of the baby's immunity, increasing the production of defense cells in the organism and thus contributing to healthy growth.

In addition, with a protected immune system, the appearance of colds and flu, common at this stage of life, is avoided, since babies are still creating antibodies against viruses, bacteria and fungi present in the environment.

Pennyroyal tea for digestion and satiety of the baby

The fibers present in pennyroyal leaves promote satiety to the baby, because when consuming the tea, a gel is formed in the body that reduces hunger and makes it calmer. In addition, the plant contains active ingredients that improve digestion, making it easier to absorb all the vitamins and nutrients.

Thus, pennyroyal tea is a safe and natural option, mainly to avoid the appearance of reflux or constipation, something very common in this phase and that affects many babies.

The right amount of pennyroyal tea for babies

As babies are still developing their internal organs, the ideal is that pennyroyal tea be administered in small doses. Therefore, the right quantity should be approximately 60 ml of the beverage per day. However, offer the child even smaller doses, about 10 ml, in order to avoid possible reactions.

What are the side effects and contraindications to consuming pennyroyal tea?

In principle, pennyroyal is a safe plant, but the side effects are associated with ingestion in large quantities which can cause: vomiting, diarrhea, headache, liver and respiratory problems. In addition, the tea from this plant can cause uterine contractions, leading to miscarriage in the first months of pregnancy.

Thus, it is contraindicated for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and people suffering from kidney failure or any other comorbidity that requires care.

Therefore, it is necessary to drink pennyroyal tea with caution, even if you have no serious illness or allergy to plants. Before making the infusion, whether of pennyroyal or any other medicinal plant, consult a doctor or herbalist. Also, if you are taking medication, do not substitute your treatment with this tea.