Indications

Musculoskeletal
• rheumatic pains
• arthritis
• myalgia
• headaches
• sciatica
• strains
• sprains

Gastrointestinal
• dyspepsia with colic and flatulence

Urinary
• urinary tract infections (UTI)
• urethritis
• prostatitis

Actions

• Antirheumatic
• Rubefacient
• Antiinflammatory
• Anodyne
• Antiseptic
• Diuretic
• Carminative

Constituents

• Salicylic Acid
• Methyl Salicylate (Wintergreen)
• Tannins
• Volatile Oil
• Resins

Posology

" Oil of Wintergreen " used primarily in topical preparations (e.g. creams, liniments). See safety.

Safety

Caution: Salicylate sensitivity.

Toxicity: Less than a tsp of the essential oil may be fatal. One death reported from absorption of salicyclates through topical application.

Regulation: In Canada only topical products are allowed to contain wintergreen, unless used in small amounts as a flavouring.

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002