Pennyroyal oil, terpenes (CAS 68917-60-2) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Green · Spicy

Pennyroyal oil, terpenes

CAS 68917-60-2

Origin
natural
Note
Top
IFRA
Professional use
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Pennyroyal oil, terpenes?

Pennyroyal oil is a potent essential oil derived from Mentha pulegium, a mint family plant. It’s historically used in folk remedies and as a fragrance component, though modern use is limited due to safety concerns. This oil matters because it represents how traditional ingredients sometimes require reevaluation when modern safety standards are applied.

Safety Profile

PROFESSIONAL USE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
⚠ Highly toxic if ingested
✗ Banned in cosmetic products
CAS
68917-60-2
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Spicy
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Pennyroyal oil, terpenes Smell Like?

Pennyroyal oil delivers an intensely minty, herbaceous aroma with sharp medicinal undertones. The initial burst is aggressively camphoraceous, reminiscent of crushed mint leaves with a bitter edge. As it dries, the scent evolves into a harsh, almost chemical-like herbal character with lingering medicinal qualities that dominate any composition it’s added to.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Layer 2

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Pennyroyal oil’s toxicity primarily comes from pulegone, a monoterpene ketone that constitutes 80-90% of the oil. This volatile compound undergoes metabolic activation in the liver to form reactive intermediates. The oil also contains menthone, isomenthone, and limonene. Extraction is typically through steam distillation of the flowering tops, though commercial production is now extremely limited due to safety regulations.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
High (30-90 min)
Blending
Poor
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Historical Use0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Formerly used sparingly in masculine fragrances

Classic Accords

Tip: Not recommended for modern perfumery due to safety concerns.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Spearmint oil CAS 8008-79-5

Provides similar minty freshness without the toxicity concerns of pennyroyal.

2
Peppermint oil CAS 8006-90-4

Offers a cleaner mint profile with better blending properties.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Banned under IFRA standards due to pulegone content (Amendment 49).

GHS Classification

H301 Toxic if swallowed H311 Toxic in contact with skin H331 Toxic if inhaled

RIFM Assessment

RIFM recommends complete avoidance in fragrance applications due to hepatotoxicity.

Sustainability

Pennyroyal grows wild in Mediterranean regions but is rarely cultivated commercially for oil production today. Sustainable alternatives are recommended due to the oil’s toxicity profile and regulatory restrictions. Wild harvesting poses ecological concerns in native habitats.

Explore Pennyroyal oil, terpenes

Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.

Browse on iHerb →

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

References

    Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

    Report a data error

    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 68917-60-2
    Data Sources & Attribution
    Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.

    Similar Posts