Pennyroyal (Mosquito Plant)

Q. What is a mosquito plant? Do they help keep mosquitos out of your yard?

A. Mosquitos are driven away from various odors. Citrus is the most common. Think: citronella lamps and smoke which deter them at dusk. There is the citrus-odored plant below Citrosa sinensis but the more common one known as the Mosquito plant is the first one here:

Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium (Mock or American Pennyroyal is Hedeoma
pulegioides)

COMMON/FOLKLORE NAMES:

Lurk in the ditch Mosquito plant Organ Broth Organs Organ Tea Piliolerian Squaw Balm Pudding Grass Squaw Mint Tickweed Run-by-the-Ground Piliolerial

PENNYROYAL IN HISTORY

Pennyroyal was indeed a Royal Herb or at least a favorite of the early English royal families. We know that it was accredited with medicinal properties as early as Pliny who also remarked on its effectiveness against fleas. In fact its Latin name of Pulegium is derived from pulex mean "flea". Native American Indians were well aware of its benefits and taught the settlers to rub the leaves over the skin to repel insects. In fact tribal uses were many...the Chickasaw would soak the entire plant in water and place it on the forehead to relieve headache and watery eyes. Other tribes used it for stomach aid still others to relieve cold and flu. This appears to contradict records indicating that Pennyroyal was one of the plants introduced by the Pilgrim settlers.

While Pennyroyal has a rich history of medicinal uses we now know the cautions of using it internally. Today the best use of Pennyroyal is externally as a natural insect repellent. Simply grab a handful of the fresh herb and rub it on the skin to repel flies mosquitos gnats ticks chiggers and fleas. The slightly rosey-minty smell is much more pleasant than smelling like a chemical insecticide. You can hang dried bunches to repel flies gnats or other winged creatures in the house. Put it in vases around the home to repel pestiferous pests. Be sure to keep them in places where children and pets won't be tempted to nibble!! Wear a dab of infusion or oil to keep fleas and mosquitoes at bay.