MENTHA PULEGIUM. ORD. XIX. Verticillate. 343 
flavour, somewhat similar to mint, but more acrid, and less agree- 
able both in smell and taste. Its “ active principle is an essential 
oil, of a more volatile nature than that of mint, coming over 
hastily with water at the beginning of the distillation, and rising 
also in great part with highly-rectified spirit; ‘in taste very pun- 
gent, and of a strong smell; when newly drawn, of a yellowish 
colour, with a cast of green; by age turning brownish.”” 
The Pulegium certainly possesses the general properties of the 
other mints: it is supposed, however, to be of less efficacy as a 
stomachic, but more'useful as a carminative, and emmenagogue, 
and is more commonly employed in hysterical affections. We are 
told by Boyle,’ and others, that it has been successfully used in 
the hooping-cough; but the chief purpose to which it has long 
been administered is promoting the uterine evacuation. With this 
intention, Haller recommends an infusion of the herb with steel, 
in white wine, which he never knew to fail of success. However, 
in the opinion of Dr. Cullen, mint is in every respect a more effec- 
tual remedy than Pennyroyal ; and “ nothing but the neglect of 
all attempts to establish principles could have made physicians 
think of this as a peculiar medicine different from the other spe- 
cies:’* and conformably to this remark, it may be observed, that 
this plant is less frequently used now than formerly. 
Its officinal preparations are a simple water, a spirit, and an ¢s- 
sential oil. 
* Lewis, M. M. p, 524. 
* See his Works, Vol. iv. p.475. Sauvages Nosol. T. 2. P. 2. p. 157. 
© He says, quod me nunquam fefellet. Vide, U. c. 
* Mat. Med, vol. tt. p. 150. 
