Pennyroyal

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Pennyroyal is a flowering herb which is used for its medical properties. It is used as an abortifacient.

History

Grand Maester Orwyle, disguised as "Old Wyl", mixed potions of tansy and pennyroyal for the prostitutes from Mother's, a brothel in King's Landing, to abort unwanted children.[1]

When he discovered his youngest daughter Lysa was pregnant, Lord Hoster Tully gave her moon tea, with tansy, mint, wormwood, a spoon of honey and a drop of pennyroyal, to abort her child.[2]

Behind the Scenes

Pennyroyal is likely a reference to Mentha pulegium, commonly called (European) pennyroyal, which is used as an insecticide, pest repellent, an emmenagogue, and an abortifacient. Historically, real-life European pennyroyal has also been used as a mint flavoring in herbal teas and foods. Tea made from pennyroyal were used for cold relief, fevers, coughs, indigestion, liver problems, kidney problems, and headaches.[3]

References

  1. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - The Hooded Hand.
  2. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 80, Sansa VII.
  3. Wikipedia: Mentha pulegium (retrieved on February 2, 2019)