Pennyroyal Oil-American, also known as Hedeoma Oil, is the essential oil extracted from the herbs of the American Pennyroyal, Mentha piperita L., Linn. pro parte, Hudson. This oil is valued for its distinctive aroma and potent properties. It contains a high concentration of pulegone (up to 85%), along with ketones and various organic acids, making it a significant ingredient in cosmetic and therapeutic applications.

Chemical Composition and Structure:
Pennyroyal Oil-American includes a variety of chemical compounds:

Pulegone: The predominant compound, making up to 85% of the oil. It provides a cooling sensation and has strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ketones: Such as menthone and isomenthone, which enhance the oil’s aroma and therapeutic effects.
Acetic Acid: An organic acid that contributes to the oil’s acidity and stability.
Formic Acid: Adds to the oil’s overall acidity and may contribute to its antimicrobial properties.
Isoheptanoic Acid: Provides additional stability and may affect the oil’s overall efficacy.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Typically a clear to pale yellow liquid, depending on the concentration and purity.
Odor: Characteristic of peppermint with a strong, fresh, and mentholated scent.
Solubility: Partially soluble in water, fully soluble in oils and other lipid-based formulations.
pH: Generally acidic due to the presence of organic acids, but pH is not a primary characteristic of essential oils.

Production Process:

Harvesting: The herbs of Mentha piperita (American Pennyroyal) are collected.
Distillation: The plant materials are subjected to steam distillation to extract the essential oil.
Collection: The essential oil is collected from the condensate of the steam distillation process.
Filtration: The oil is filtered to remove any impurities or particulates.
Standardization: The oil may be standardized to ensure consistent levels of key components.
Formulation: The purified essential oil is integrated into various cosmetic and therapeutic products.

Applications:

Cosmetics and Skincare: Utilized for its invigorating and antiseptic properties in products such as creams, lotions, and serums. It provides a refreshing, cooling effect and can enhance the sensory experience.
Hair Care: Added to shampoos and conditioners to offer stimulating and antimicrobial benefits, helping to rejuvenate the scalp and hair.
Aromatherapy: Employed for its powerful aroma and therapeutic effects in essential oil blends, diffusers, and other aromatherapy applications.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: The distillation process should adhere to sustainable practices to minimize the environmental footprint.
Safety: Generally considered safe for use in cosmetics when properly diluted. Pulegone is a potent compound and may cause irritation in high concentrations or with prolonged use. As with all essential oils, individual reactions such as intolerance or allergy cannot be excluded.

INCI:


Perfuming. Unlike fragrance, which can also contain slightly less pleasant or characteristic odours, the term perfume indicates only very pleasant fragrances. Used for perfumes and aromatic raw materials.
Synonyms:

CAS: 98306-02-6 EC number 308-770-2