Wintergreen
Gaultheria Procumbens
Wintergreen Oil is a sweet and minty essential oil which works well to soothe muscle pain and tension associated with exercise and/or old age. It can work well to help with headaches, cold and flu symptoms as well as tooth decay.
History of Wintergreen Oil
Wintergreen Oil is extracted from the leaves of the Wintergreen plant (Gaultheria procumbens), which is also often referred to by other names, such as Boxberry, Checkerberry and Partridgeberry. Many of its alternative names include “berry” because of the huge scarlet fruits that grow on it in the colder months. The name “Wintergreen” comes from the plant's evergreen properties, meaning it stays green all year round! The medicinal benefits of the plant are thought to have been discovered by Native American tribes, who chewed on and ground up the leaves for pain relief and to stay healthy. Later, early European settlers in North America used the leaves to make tea - causing some to refer to the plant as “Canadian Teaberry”.
Wintergreen Oil was traditionally ingested to treat pain, digestive and breathing issues and to regulate hormones. More recently, though, it has become common knowledge that the oil should not be used internally. The active ingredient in Wintergreen Oil is Methyl Salicylate which is a blood thinner much like Aspirin. It is much more potent than Aspirin, though, and even a small amount can be toxic if ingested.
So, how is Wintergreen Oil used safely nowadays?
The reason that Wintergreen Oil can still be used safely is that, in very small doses, its benefits are abundant! Scientific studies have found it to be as effective as antibiotics in the treatment of some causes of Lyme Disease, and it has been proven to be an effective pain reliever in studies on headaches and muscular pain. In larger doses the oil becomes toxic, so it is definitely safe to use as instructed and not to be ingested.
Despite the risks, Wintergreen Oil’s antibacterial properties make it a very popular cleanser, especially in oral hygiene products. This, as well as its earthy, minty aroma, make it a common ingredient in sprays and mouthwash used to treat gingivitis. The flavour also makes it popular for flavouring food - especially sweets and chewing gum - and tea. Even if you think you’ve never used Wintergreen Oil, you might have done so without realising! Next time you use mouthwash or chewing gum, check the ingredients - they probably contain minty, fresh Wintergreen Oil!
Extracting Wintergreen Oil
The process used to extract Wintergreen Oil is called steam distillation. The leaves of the plant are fermented, and then steam is passed over them to release the oil-containing water molecules, which are called volatile oils. The molecules are then passed through a cooling chamber, which causes the water-oil combination to separate, and the oil to rise to the top as a pure essential oil. Steam Distillation is the most common method of extracting essential oils and is preferred because it does not add any chemicals to their composition.
Wintergreen Oil has one of the lowest yields, which makes it very rare because much more of the plant is needed to produce the oil. Despite this, the leaves of the Wintergreen plant are green all year round, which means it can be extracted all year round, too! Be wary of very cheap deals, though, it is probably the synthetic version of methyl salicylate, which is the component that makes up between 95 and 99 per cent of the oil.
Can I make Wintergreen Oil at home?
Wintergreen Oil is one of the few essential oils that we do not recommend trying to make yourself. There are two reasons for this, but the most important one is its toxicity. Although a drop is extremely beneficial, too much is poisonous, so it is also not a good idea to leave it lying around unlabelled or near children. As well as being toxic if administered internally, undiluted Wintergreen Oil is poisonous if absorbed by the skin. It is therefore very important not to apply it directly to your skin, but instead mix it with much more of your favourite carrier oil. The second reason is the extremely low yield, as it means that you would need a huge amount of Wintergreen leaves to produce a tiny amount of oil. So, we recommend buying it online instead!
Have you ever used Wintergreen Oil? Is it a staple in your collection? As always, the Essentially Yours team is eager to hear how you are getting on with your essential oils, so feel free to reach out to one of us today!
Can I make Wintergreen Oil at home?
Wintergreen Oil is one of the few essential oils that we do not recommend trying to make yourself. There are two reasons for this, but the most important one is its toxicity. Although a drop is extremely beneficial, too much is poisonous, so it is also not a good idea to leave it lying around unlabelled or near children. As well as being toxic if administered internally, undiluted Wintergreen Oil is poisonous if absorbed by the skin. It is therefore very important not to apply it directly to your skin, but instead mix it with much more of your favourite carrier oil. The second reason is the extremely low yield, as it means that you would need a huge amount of Wintergreen leaves to produce a tiny amount of oil. So, we recommend buying it online instead!
Have you ever used Wintergreen Oil? Is it a staple in your collection? As always, the Essentially Yours team is eager to hear how you are getting on with your essential oils, so feel free to reach out to one of us today!
Wintergreen Oil Varieties
Wintergreen Oil Varieties
So, what different varieties of Wintergreen Oil are there?
There are two varieties of the wintergreen plant, the North American strain (Gaultheria procumbens) and the Asian strain (Gaultheria fragrantissima). Both these plants produce the same oil, which is almost entirely made up of one chemical component - methyl salicylate. Whilst there is only one variety of Wintergreen Oil, there is a synthetic version that is falsely sold as the natural type. Synthetic methyl salicylate is much cheaper and more easily made. It is also almost identical to Wintergreen Oil and has many of the same chemical properties, making it very difficult to detect a fake. To make things even more difficult, both names are used interchangeably!
So, which variety of Wintergreen Oil should I buy?
That completely depends on your personal choice. Synthetic methyl salicylate is very similar to its natural counterpart, but the biggest difference is that it is much cheaper. If you do not mind using the synthetic version, that is fine, but make sure that it is not trying to imitate the real deal because it will probably be very overpriced. We always recommend buying the pure, natural essential oil when possible.
If you do want the real deal, we suggest looking online for 100% natural Wintergreen Oil. As you probably won’t be able to make the oil yourself, the best way to ensure that it is pure is to read the reviews and research the seller. As with all essential oils, make sure that the bottle shows the Latin name, but, with this particular oil, there is also the added difficulty of knowing whether it is natural or not. Ask the seller to provide the results of the post-distillation analysis, and be wary of any who refuse!
Have you ever come across Wintergreen Oil? Do you know how to tell the natural from the synthetic? As always, the Essentially Yours team loves hearing all your essential oil stories, so feel free to reach out to one of us today!
So, which variety of Wintergreen Oil should I buy?
That completely depends on your personal choice. Synthetic methyl salicylate is very similar to its natural counterpart, but the biggest difference is that it is much cheaper. If you do not mind using the synthetic version, that is fine, but make sure that it is not trying to imitate the real deal because it will probably be very overpriced. We always recommend buying the pure, natural essential oil when possible.
If you do want the real deal, we suggest looking online for 100% natural Wintergreen Oil. As you probably won’t be able to make the oil yourself, the best way to ensure that it is pure is to read the reviews and research the seller. As with all essential oils, make sure that the bottle shows the Latin name, but, with this particular oil, there is also the added difficulty of knowing whether it is natural or not. Ask the seller to provide the results of the post-distillation analysis, and be wary of any who refuse!
Have you ever come across Wintergreen Oil? Do you know how to tell the natural from the synthetic? As always, the Essentially Yours team loves hearing all your essential oil stories, so feel free to reach out to one of us today!
Benefits of Wintergreen Oil
Here at Essentially Yours, we love sharing our knowledge of essential oils with our community, so that you can make the most out of your own collection. Whether your oils are well-loved or barely opened, we have information for everyone! In this blog, we are going to talk about the benefits of Wintergreen Oil. Remember that these are only some of the benefits, and each essential oil works differently for everyone!
Antibacterial
Wintergreen Oil’s antibacterial properties are widely researched. Studies have found it to be effective at fighting bacteria in household cleaning, skincare and diseases. It has even been found to be more effective than antibiotics at treating Lyme disease!
Anti-inflammatory
One of the first uses of the Wintergreen plant, and still one of its most popular benefits today! Wintergreen Oil’s anti-inflammatory properties are great for reducing swelling, easing muscle tension and relieving pain such as headaches.
Easy breathing
The mint flavour mixed with the antispasmodic properties of Wintergreen Oil make it great for treating asthma and other respiratory problems. Inhaling the oil should be done from a bowl of boiled water or diffuser, as this essential oil needs to be diluted.
Mint scent
A fun fact about Wintergreen Oil is that it is often incorrectly assumed to be part of the mint family. This is because of its natural sweet, minty scent. As a flavour it also means that it is a popular choice in mint flavoured sweets such as chewing gum and lollies.
Antioxidant
One of the popular benefits of using Wintergreen Oil is in skincare products such as moisturisers and serums. The antioxidant properties prevent cell damage and promote healthy skin. Although the benefits of products containing Wintergreen Oil are numerous, it should never be applied directly to the skin, as high doses can be toxic!
Promotes oral hygiene
The antibacterial properties mixed with the sweet, mint flavour make Wintergreen Oil a popular choice for oral hygiene products such as mouthwash - especially in treating issues such as gingivitis.
Deodorising
Wintergreen Oil can help fight bad smells on people and in homes! Diffusing the oil around the house makes a great DIY air-freshener. Mixing it with some baking soda, cornstarch and Coconut Oil makes a great DIY deodorant! Remember that Coconut Oil is hard at room temperature, so heat them gently to infuse.
Haircare
Wintergreen Oil is frequently included in haircare products because it helps to prevent hair loss, stimulate growth, nourish and maintain shine. It has also been found to combat dandruff when included in a tonic and applied topically.
How do you feel about Wintergreen Oil? Is it an essential in your collection? As always, the Essentially Yours team loves hearing your favourite things about every oil! So, feel free to reach out to one of us today!
Uses of Wintergreen Oil
Here at Essentially Yours, we love sharing all we know about essential oils so that you can make the most out of yours. Whether you want to learn about an oil’s history or find out some new blends, our website has got your covered! In this blog, we are going to talk about Wintergreen Oil and some of our favourite uses for it. These are only some of the amazing things that you can do with Wintergreen Oil, so remember that there are loads of other ways to use it too! Unlike some essential oils, Wintergreen Oil cannot be applied directly to the skin. In fact, it can be toxic in too high a dosage! Don’t let that put you off, though, just ensure safe practices. In small doses - 1-2 drops, there are loads of great things you can do with Wintergreen Oil.
Air-freshener
For a fantastic natural alternative to chemical air fresheners, you could create a blend containing Wintergreen Oil. Adding a drop to some water with a few drops of herb-scented oils such as Thyme or Marjoram will have the room smelling oh so fresh!
Deodorant
If you want a natural, irritant-free deodorant, why not make your own! We love Wintergreen Oil, Clove Oil and Orange Oil mixed in with some Coconut Oil for an Autumnal deodoriser. Remember that deodorant does NOT equal antiperspirant, though!
Massage Oil
As a skin tightener, pain reliever and inflammation reducer, Wintergreen Oil is a perfect addition to your favourite massage oil! You could even make your own by adding a drop to your favourite carrier oil - we absolutely love Jojoba Oil for this, as it has practically no scent and a very slippery consistency. Only ever use up to 1% Wintergreen Oil in any massage combination, as any more can cause a negative reaction on the skin.
Pain relief
One of the original uses of Wintergreen Oil was to relieve pain in muscles, breathing, digestion and menstruation. Mix one drop with a carrier oil and rub directly onto the affected area to ease the pain.
Skincare
A few drops of Wintergreen Oil mixed in with your favourite moisturiser provides an additional antioxidant, clarifying and skin tightening boost. It is a common ingredient in creams targeting cellulite and also helps to treat acne and dandruff! A drop mixed with lots of Rosehip Oil would be a great way to hydrate and brighten skin prone to redness.
Blends well with
Unlike most essential oils, Wintergreen Oil is not recommended for use in aromatherapy, and it is toxic if not diluted substantially. Because of this, we are going to give you some of our favourite carrier oils to dilute Wintergreen Oil with instead! Its sweet, minty smell makes it a great blend with nutty or herb scented oils.
To harness the benefits of the Oil of Wintergreen, choose your favourite carrier and add just a one or two drops to a cupful.
Jojoba Oil
Our favourite carrier oil for a massage blend is Jojoba! It has a very thin consistency, meaning it spreads really well for massages! Jojoba Oil has practically no scent, so for strongly scented top notes such as Wintergreen Oil, try adding some middle and base notes into the mix too! Black Pepper and Lavender Oils are great middle notes that blend well with Wintergreen. Base notes that will blend well with this mix include Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang!
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Coconut Oil
One of the most popular carrier oils, Coconut Oil is commonly used in dentistry. One way it is used to maintain oral health is with a method called pulling. This involves swishing the oil around the mouth to break down plaque’s barriers and ‘pull’ it from the teeth. Coconut Oil is solid at room temperature, but after a few swishes will be a liquid! This also applies for mixing it with any other oil, as it will need to be done over very low heat (even sunlight does the trick!)
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Almond Oil
A sweet, nutty scent that goes well with pretty much anything! Almond Oil is often used in haircare because it is full of nutritious, healthy fats. As another oil with hair-related benefits, Wintergreen Oil blends fabulously with Almond to leave your hair flake-free and shiny as can be!
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Macadamia Oil
Another of our nutty favourites! Not only does Macadamia Oil have a complementary scent for Wintergreen Oil, it also complements its benefits too! Both oils are used in skincare to tighten, brighten and reduce wrinkles and cellulite.
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