Ericaceae
Wintergreen
Gaultheria procumbens
✗ High Risk
Avoid in Pregnancy
Origin: North America, China
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Extraction Method
Steam distillation
Plant Part
Leaves
Aroma Profile
Minty, sweet, medicinal, sharp, cooling
Dilution Ratio
1-2% maximum
💧 Applications
🖐️ Topical (diluted)💆 Massage🧊 Compress
💊 Therapeutic Uses
Muscle and joint pain, arthritis, sports injuries. Topical analgesic — identical action to aspirin.
🔬 Main Constituents
Methyl salicylate (96-99%)
🎨 Blends Well With
Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary
⚠️ Safety Information
Safety Rating
✗ High Risk
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
⚠ Known interactions
Contraindications: Methyl salicylate is toxic — small amounts can be fatal. Avoid all internal use. Avoid in children, pregnancy, aspirin allergy, blood-thinning medications. Never use undiluted.
Side Effects: Severe toxicity if ingested, aspirin-like side effects systemically