Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Family

Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Pennyroyal

Hebrew Name(s)

na'na' ha-kadurim

נַענַע הַכַּדּוּרִים

Arabic Name(s)

fulaya فولية

Life Form

Hemicryptophyte?

Habitat

Humid habitats

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Mentha pulegium L.

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Oral Health	Toothache	Analgesic	Prepare infusion of 1 teaspoon of leaves & stems in hot water & gargle.	Leaf, Stem	Z
Respiratory	Cold/ runny nose/ cough; induces sweating	Anti-Infective, Anti-catarrhal, Anti-tussive, Diaphoretic	1. Prepare infusion of leaves & stems & whip the watery extract + sugar + egg white until foamy; drink before sleeping; it induces sweating. 2. Cook leaves & stems +" za'tar farisi" (Thymbra capitata) & drink x1 cup before sleeping. May dilute with milk.	Leaf, Stem	Z

System/State

Traditional
Complaint/Use

Activity / Interpretation

Traditional
Preparation/ Administration

Parts Used

Source

Oral Health

Toothache

Analgesic

Prepare infusion of 1 teaspoon of leaves & stems in hot water & gargle.

Leaf, Stem

Respiratory

Cold/ runny nose/ cough; induces sweating

Anti-Infective, Anti-catarrhal, Anti-tussive, Diaphoretic

1. Prepare infusion of leaves & stems & whip the watery extract + sugar + egg white until foamy; drink before sleeping; it induces sweating.
2. Cook leaves & stems +" za'tar farisi" (Thymbra capitata) & drink x1 cup before sleeping. May dilute with milk.

Leaf, Stem

Notes

Cautions

Mentha genus has some species which contain eucalyptol, pulegone, methofuran, carvacrol & coumarin in the essential oil, which when taken in large amounts can cause an abortion. Species rich in essential oil may have a CNS depressant effect. Direct application can be irritant.

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.