Description
Wintergreen essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of Gaultheria procumbens, a small creeping shrub native to North America. The plant grows wild across the eastern United States and Canada and has a long history of use by Indigenous peoples for a variety of medicinal applications.
Wintergreen essential oil contains exceptionally high levels of methyl salicylate, typically over 98%. This compound gives the oil its distinctive sharp, sweet, minty, and cooling aroma that is immediately recognisable and familiar from sports gels, dental products, and confectionery. The scent is clean and powerful, even in very small quantities.
In aromatherapy, wintergreen is primarily used in massage blends for muscles and joints. Methyl salicylate is closely related to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and has topical analgesic properties, which is why wintergreen-based products are so widely used in sports therapy and pain relief applications. It is important to dilute wintergreen essential oil well before use, typically at no more than 1% in a carrier oil.
Wintergreen essential oil is one of the more potent essential oils and should be used with caution. It is not suitable for use on children, during pregnancy, or by those with aspirin sensitivity. This 10ml bottle is for external use in diluted blends and diffusers only. Always dilute before applying to skin. Not for internal use.
