pennyroyal oil

Pennyroyal oil is an essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of the Mentha pulegium plant, commonly known as pennyroyal. This oil exhibits a characteristic minty aroma with medium intensity and cooling, menthol-like flavor notes. Synonyms include mentha pulegium herb oil, hedeoma oil, and pennyroyal essential oil. Its chemical identity is catalogued under CAS number 90064-00-9, and it is indexed in authoritative databases such as PubChem. The oil is traditionally sourced through steam distillation of fresh or dried pennyroyal leaves. Due to its distinctive sensory profile, pennyroyal oil is employed principally as a flavor and fragrance agent in various applications.

Pennyroyal oil occurs naturally in the pennyroyal plant, native to Europe and parts of North Africa. The oil is especially valued for its minty, herbal, and slightly woody aromatic qualities. It finds application as a flavoring agent replicating the characteristic essence of pennyroyal and related mint species. In perfumery, the oil acts as a component that may replace eucalyptus or contribute herbal top notes. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA, Global) sets usage standards for pennyroyal oil due to its bioactive composition and potential toxicity, ensuring safe levels in consumer products. Additionally, regulatory bodies such as FEMA (US) recognize its flavoring function but impose concentration limits for safety. Typical uses include incorporation into fragrances and limited flavor formulations compatible with these regulations.

Pennyroyal oil is a clear, volatile liquid with a specific gravity ranging from 0.93 to 0.944 at 25 °C and a refractive index between 1.48 and 1.49 at 20 °C. It exhibits moderate solubility in alcohol and limited solubility in water, with an estimated water solubility of 173.7 mg/L at 25 °C. The oil’s flash point, determined by the Tag Closed Cup method, is approximately 212 °F (100 °C), indicating moderate volatility. Proper storage in cool, dry, and sealed containers is essential to maintain stability, with a recommended shelf life of at least 24 months. The oil is sensitive to heat and light exposure, and its chemical profile includes pulegone, a compound influencing both its aroma and safety considerations. Such physicochemical attributes affect formulation performance in flavors and fragrances, requiring controlled use conditions to preserve sensory and safety quality.

	mentha pulegium l. herb oil
Canada Domestic Sub. List:	8013-99-8
Pubchem (sid):	135286596

FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):	View
Export Tariff Code:	3301.29.6000
Typical G.C.
Wikipedia:	View
FAO:	BASIC PRINCIPLES OF STEAM DISTILLATION

Safety information

Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
Not determined
Dermal Toxicity:
Not determined
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined
Pennyroyal oil, due to its high pulegone content, has been associated with toxicity concerns, and its use in food and beverages is highly restricted or banned in many places.

Safety in use information

Category:
flavor and fragrance agents
RIFM Fragrance Material Safety Assessment: Search
IFRA Code of Practice Notification of the 49th Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice
contains the following IFRA (Annex) restricted components: (non-analysis max. level reference only)
(E)-2-hexen-1-al	Max. Found: trace to
Recommendation for pennyroyal oil usage levels up to:
	1.0000 % in the fragrance concentrate.
Use levels for FEMA GRAS flavoring substances on which the FEMA Expert Panel based its judgments that the substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The Expert Panel also publishes separate extensive reviews of scientific information on all FEMA GRAS flavoring substances and can be found at FEMA Flavor Ingredient Library
publication number: 3
Click here to view publication 3
		average usual ppm	average maximum ppm
baked goods:		20.00000	24.00000
beverages(nonalcoholic):		1.50000	5.00000
beverages(alcoholic):		-	-
breakfast cereal:		-	-
cheese:		-	-
chewing gum:		-	-
condiments / relishes:		-	-
confectionery froastings:		-	-
egg products:		-	-
fats / oils:		-	-
fish products:		-	-
frozen dairy:		-	3.70000
fruit ices:		-	3.70000
gelatins / puddings:		-	-
granulated sugar:		-	-
gravies:		-	-
hard candy:		-	14.00000
imitation dairy:		-	-
instant coffee / tea:		-	-
jams / jellies:		-	-
meat products:		-	-
milk products:		-	-
nut products:		-	-
other grains:		-	-
poultry:		-	-
processed fruits:		-	-
processed vegetables:		-	-
reconstituted vegetables:		-	-
seasonings / flavors:		-	-
snack foods:		-	-
soft candy:		-	-
soups:		-	-
sugar substitutes:		-	-
sweet sauces:		-	-

Safety references

EPI System: View

EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):8013-99-8

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

mentha pulegium l. herb oil

Chemidplus:0008013998