Pulegone
بوليجون
Restricted aroma chemical
The verdict
Caution — a restricted, possibly-carcinogenic mint constituent
What it is
The minty constituent of pennyroyal and some mint oils.
Behind a strong mint note in some 'natural' oils. It's classified as possibly carcinogenic (IARC 2B) and is hepatotoxic, so the EU limits how much can be used — worth knowing it's there.
Evidence & status
IARC carcinogen group
Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans)
EU status
Restricted in EU cosmetics (concentration limit)
US · FDA status
NTP carcinogen; FDA delisted as a synthetic food flavoring (2018)
Halal status: halal
Plant/synthetic
Primary source
Risk Assessment of Pulegone (BMD modeling); summarises IARC 2B and NTP 2-year studies. PMC11430949.
Evidence, not medical advice. You decide.
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