Pennyroyal oil |

Last updated: 22/08/2025
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(Also known as: pennyroyal extract; pulegium vulgare oil; mentha pulegium oil) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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An essential oil derived from Mentha pulegium which has a broad-spectrum of pesticidal activity |
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Broad spectrum of pests including glasshouse insect pests (e.g. mites, aphids, mosquito, weevils, ants), fungi and micro-organisms |
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Class: Magnoliopsida; Order: Lamiales; Family: Lamiaceae |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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None |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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No |
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No |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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Pennyroyal oil is a complex mixture of organic compounds and some of its key constituents are isomeric. For example, the primary active compound in pennyroyal oil is pulegone, a monoterpene ketone. Pulegone exists in stereoisomeric forms. Pennyroyal oil also contains other compounds like menthone and isomenthone, which are structural isomers. |
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No |
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Insecticide; Fungicide; Semiochemical; Other substance |
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Biocide |
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Plant-derived substance; Plant oil |
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Natural; Complex mixture |
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Works primarily through a non-toxic mode of action as a repellent |
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Pennyroyal is derived from leaves of the plant Mentha pulegium which is a member of the mint family and native to the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa |
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Crop protectiion; Domestic and public health situations |
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Broad spectrum of pests including glasshouse insect pests (e.g. mites, aphids, mosquito, weevils, ants), fungi and micro-organisms |
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8013-99-8 |
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8007-44-1 |
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616-943-1 |
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pennyroyal oil |
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FEMA=2839; FLAVIS=16.046 |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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A yellow coloured oily liquid with a minty smell. It has a variable composition of a range of volatile organic substances with pulegone being the most dominant. |
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Current |
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- Dideu Industries Group China
- LEAP Chem Co., Ltd. China
- Leancare Ltd. UK
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- Mystic Moments
- Naturescape Wildflower Farm
- DIY spider repellent
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May be formulated as fumigants, essential oils, emulsifiable concentrates and ready to use products, often in mixtures with other plant oils |
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Commercial production of pennyroyal oil involves cultivating Mentha pulegium and harvesting during its flowering stage, when the concentration of essential oils is highest. The aerial parts, mainly leaves and flowering tops, are subjected to steam distillation, the standard method for extracting volatile compounds such as pulegone, which gives pennyroyal oil its characteristic scent and biological activity. After distillation, the oil is filtered and tested for purity, especially due to its known toxicity in high concentrations. |
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Data for specific plant oils is scarce. However, from publicly available data the carbon footprint of plant oils has been estimated at between 1.0 and 4.0 kg CO₂e per kg of oil. This depends on the plant oil content, agricultural practices and processing methods used. |
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81 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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0.93 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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400 |
Q4 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 4 = Verified data Rat |
Moderate |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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400 |
Q4 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 4 = Verified data Rat |
Moderate |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
No data found |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 3 = Negative |
No data found |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
No data found |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
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Highly toxic if ingested - linked to liver injury, seizures, cardiopulmonary collapse An abortifacient A cytotoxin |
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Corrosive Combustible |
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Health: H302, H312, H315 Environment: H411 |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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UN2810 |
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Packaging group III (minor danger) |
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Sensitive to light - store in a dark place |
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pennyroyal oil |
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Record last updated: |
22/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |