Name Wintergreen essential oil Description Wintergreen essential oil is a highly aromatic oil extracted from the leaves of the wintergreen plant (Gaultheria procumbens) or sometimes from Betula lenta (sweet birch). The primary source of wintergreen essential oil is the Gaultheria procumbens plant, a low-growing shrub native to North America, particularly in forested and mountainous regions. The key active component of wintergreen oil is methyl salicylate, which typically constitutes about 85-99% of the oil. Methyl salicylate is closely related to aspirin and is responsible for the oil's medicinal effects. Benefits It has a distinctive minty scent and is widely used in traditional medicine, aromatherapy, and personal care products due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. Considerations • Acute Toxicity
Wintergreen oil is highly concentrated and should never be ingested or used undiluted on the skin. Ingesting even a small amount can lead to serious health risks, including salicylate poisoning, which can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and respiratory distress. People have died from topical application. A toddler swallowing less than a teaspoon of wintergreen oil can be fatal.
• Birth Defects/Fetal Toxicity
If a pregnant mother experiences methyl salicylate toxicity, it can lead to fetal abnormalities and miscarriage.
• Skin Irritation
The application of wintergreen essential oil in higher concentrations can lead to skin irritation and damage.
• Eye Irritation
Getting wintergreen essential oil in your eye will result in severe irritation. Synonyms Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Oil
Methyl Salicylate
Wintergreen Oil
Oil of Wintergreen
Betula Lenta Oil
Gaultheria Procumbens Extract
Wintergreen Leaf Oil Research Sources https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/5/2380
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/4133 Summary Contains high amounts of toxic methyl salicylate.