Ingredient
Mentha Pulegium Extract
Mentha Pulegium Extract is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, postpartum, PCOS and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is known teratogen and uterine effects.
- Pennyroyal Extract
- Pulegium Extract
- European Pennyroyal Extract
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Not Recommended
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 6 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 3 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Mentha Pulegium Extract and pregnancy
Not Recommended
- Known teratogen
- Uterine effects
- Fetal development
- Liver toxicity concern
Mentha Pulegium Extract comes from pennyroyal, a mint plant that contains pulegone, a toxic compound. Historically, pennyroyal was used (dangerously) as an abortifacient due to its ability to cause uterine contractions and has resulted in maternal deaths. According to the FDA and multiple medical authorities, pennyroyal is extremely dangerous during pregnancy. Pulegone is hepatotoxic (damages the liver) and can cause miscarriage, fetal death, and maternal mortality even at relatively low doses. The American Herbal Products Association lists pennyroyal as an herb to avoid during pregnancy. Multiple case reports document severe liver failure and death in women who consumed pennyroyal oil attempting to induce abortion. While topical absorption is lower than oral ingestion, the FDA and ACOG strongly advise against any use of pennyroyal products during pregnancy. This is one of the few cosmetic ingredients with clear and unequivocal medical consensus to absolutely avoid during pregnancy. Even topical products containing pennyroyal extract should not be used. The toxic compound pulegone can be absorbed through skin, and the risk of liver damage and pregnancy complications is well-documented. There is no safe alternative within the mint family for pregnant women. If you need fragrance, opt for pennyroyal-free products. For soothing or cooling effects, choose chamomile extract, aloe vera, or cucumber extract instead.
Mentha Pulegium Extract and breastfeeding
Not Recommended
- Liver toxicity concern
- Passes into breast milk
- Infant exposure
Mentha Pulegium Extract is derived from pennyroyal, a plant containing pulegone, a compound that is toxic to the liver. Pennyroyal oil has caused multiple deaths and is one of the most dangerous herbal products. The FDA, LactMed (NIH database on drugs and lactation), and the American Academy of Pediatrics all strongly advise against pennyroyal use during breastfeeding. Pulegone can be absorbed through skin and pass into breast milk, potentially exposing the breastfed infant to a hepatotoxic compound. Even small amounts of pulegone exposure are dangerous because infant livers are less able to metabolize toxins. Case reports document infant toxicity from breastfeeding mothers who consumed pennyroyal. This is an absolute avoid for breastfeeding mothers. Even topical cosmetic products containing pennyroyal extract should not be used. The risk of infant liver toxicity through breast milk exposure is too significant. Medical authorities universally recommend avoiding pennyroyal in all forms during lactation. For any skincare needs during breastfeeding, choose products without pennyroyal. Safe alternatives for soothing effects include chamomile extract, calendula, or colloidal oatmeal.
Mentha Pulegium Extract and postpartum
Not Recommended
- Liver toxicity concern
Mentha Pulegium Extract contains pulegone, a compound that is toxic to the liver. Even for postpartum women who are not breastfeeding or pregnant, pennyroyal poses significant health risks due to its hepatotoxicity. The FDA has issued warnings about pennyroyal due to multiple deaths from liver failure. While the most severe cases involved oral consumption, topical absorption can still deliver toxic amounts of pulegone. Postpartum women may have increased skin permeability due to hormonal changes, and liver function can be compromised during recovery from pregnancy. There is no safe reason to use products containing pennyroyal extract when safer alternatives exist for any cosmetic purpose.
Mentha Pulegium Extract and trying to conceive
Not Recommended
- Liver toxicity concern
- Fertility effects
- Uterine effects
Mentha Pulegium Extract comes from pennyroyal, a plant containing the toxic compound pulegone. Pennyroyal has historically been used as an abortifacient (to induce miscarriage) and is known to cause uterine contractions and liver damage. For women trying to conceive, exposure to pennyroyal is particularly dangerous because it can affect both fertility and early pregnancy. The compound can interfere with implantation and cause spontaneous abortion even before a woman knows she is pregnant. Since the early weeks of pregnancy are critical for development, and women who are TTC may become pregnant at any time, the FDA and reproductive health specialists strongly advise against any pennyroyal use when trying to conceive. The liver toxicity is an additional serious concern that affects overall health and fertility.
Mentha Pulegium Extract and PCOS
Not Recommended
- Liver toxicity concern
- Interferes with hormones
Mentha Pulegium Extract is derived from pennyroyal, which contains pulegone, a hepatotoxic (liver-damaging) compound. The FDA has warned against pennyroyal use due to deaths from liver failure. For women with PCOS, liver health is particularly important because the liver metabolizes hormones and many PCOS medications (like metformin) are processed by the liver. Introducing a hepatotoxic substance is especially risky for this population. Additionally, some research suggests pulegone may have endocrine-disrupting properties, though the primary concern remains its toxicity. There is no cosmetic benefit from pennyroyal that justifies the liver toxicity risk. Women with PCOS should absolutely avoid products containing Mentha pulegium extract and choose from the many safer mint alternatives or other soothing botanical extracts available in cosmetics.
Mentha Pulegium Extract and general use
Not Recommended
- Liver toxicity concern
- Endocrine disruptor
Mentha Pulegium Extract is derived from pennyroyal, a mint plant that contains pulegone, a compound that is toxic to the liver. Pennyroyal oil has been associated with multiple deaths and serious injuries, primarily from oral consumption, but topical use also poses risks due to skin absorption. The FDA issued public health warnings about pennyroyal in the 1990s after several deaths occurred from people consuming pennyroyal oil. Pulegone causes liver necrosis (liver cell death) and can lead to liver failure. Even small amounts can be dangerous, particularly with repeated exposure. Symptoms of pennyroyal toxicity include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, seizures, coma, and death. While topical application results in lower absorption than oral ingestion, the toxic compound can still penetrate skin, especially with damaged skin barrier or large application areas. Given the serious and well-documented toxicity of pennyroyal, its use in cosmetics is strongly discouraged by health authorities. There are numerous safer alternatives for any cosmetic purpose. The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has raised concerns about pulegone in cosmetic products. Most reputable cosmetic companies have removed pennyroyal from formulations due to safety concerns. Consumers should avoid products containing Mentha pulegium extract and choose safer mint species or other botanical extracts instead.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
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Ingredients that raise the same concerns.
Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
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