Wintergreen Essential Oil (Gaultheria procumbens)
- Description
- Suggested Use
Wintergreen essential oil is best known for its ability to reduce pain and inflammation, however it must be used sparingly and with extreme caution due to the its content of 96-99% methyl salicylate, an ester that can be toxic when not used with great care.
Salicylates are known to be pain relievers and blood thinners; the chemical name of Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, a synthetic derivative of salicylic acid. Though both aspirin and wintergreen come from salicylates, wintergreen is much stronger/potent.
The methyl salicylate in wintergreen essential oil directly or indirectly affects most organ systems. The potential toxic effects are :
- the central nervous system with tinnitus, hearing loss, tremors, and seizures
- the cardiovascular system with rapid heart rate and hypotension
- the respiratory system with rapid respirations
- the liver with hepatitis
- the GI tract with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
GC/MS Report available upon request.
Mockingbird Apothecary & General Store does not recommend ingestion of essential oils. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Mockingbird Apothecary products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.