Wintergreen
WINTERGREEN
Gaultheria procumbens (L.)
Common Name
Family
Actions
Analgesic, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antibacterial, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuges, rubefacient
Energetics
Cooling, drying
Edible Uses
The leaves are used for tea. The berries may be eaten cooked or raw.
Native To
Eastern United States and Canada
Geographic Distribution
Common throughout the Eastern United States and Canada
Botanical Description & Identification
Wintergreen is a somewhat woody plant. It can grow up to 6 inches in height and its leaves are evergreen and growing leafy mats. This plant grows well in woodlands as groundcover with partial shade and moist soil. The plant forms waxy whitish flowers, which bloom in late June to July, hang off the branch in a bell-like fashion. Its leaves are waxy and shiny. Wintergreen grows bright red berries that ripen in late autumn through the winter.
Key Constituents
Methyl salicylate and methyl salicylate glycosides, mono- and sesquiterpenes, phenylpropanoids, lignans, flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds
Sustainability Issues
Listed as endangered in Illinois (United States Department of Agriculture, n.d.); regarded as 'secure' elsewhere.
Harvesting Guidelines
Leaves may be harvested at any time of year; fruit should be harvested in late autumn to early winter. Always harvest on a dry day.
Uses
**BENEFITS OF WINTERGREEN:
Wintergreen is known to:
*Slow or stop the growth of body organisms (antiseptic)
*Reduce overall pain, muscles and nerves
*Improve rheumatic conditions
*Clear the symptoms of headaches and migraines
*Relax muscles
*Energize the mind
*Improve digestion and reduce bloating
*Ease stomaches
*Improve the pain associated with organ inflammation
*Improve respiratory health
*Promote circulation
*Be used as a numbing agent
*Cool the body
*Reduce muscle cramping, including of the uterus during menses
*Dispel harmful bacteria (antibacterial)
*Dispel symptoms of gingivitis and plaque on teeth
*Cool the body
Wintergreen is useful in the following more common disorders and diseases:
Sore throats, headaches, arthritis, sciatica, lumbago, swellings, colic (used weakly for young children), boils, skin ulcers, wounds, sores, skin pain, gingivitis, plaque, dental pain, arthritis, headache, respiratory symptoms of cold and flu, indigestion, stomachache
Most common uses:
Wintergreen is most commonly used to cool the body as a 'menthol', as an antibacterial for skin and gums, and to flavor foods.
Fun Facts:
Wintergreen is:
* An important winter food source for woodland animals.
* Used to uplift the mood through diffusion of the essential oil or simply inhaling.
* A good antidote to nausea, especially during pregnancy and labor.
* Often considered a replacement herb for peppermint.
References
Apelian, N., & Davis, C. (2019). The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies: The Healing Power of Plant Medicine.
Hoffman, D. (1987). The Herbal Handbook: A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism.
Lahhari, A. (2021). Native American Herbalist's Bible.
Recipes and Monographs Compiled From The Intermediate Herbal Course. Copyright: The Herbal Academy.
The Herbal Academy Herbarium and Materia Medica. Copyright: The Herbal Academy.
McIntyre, A. (2019). The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Definitive Guide to the Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine.
United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). The PLANTS Database: Threatened and endangered. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/java/threat
Wood, M. (2008). The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants
Safety
The essential oil of wintergreen may be toxic and potentially fatal if taken internally as a medicine due to the fact that the distillation process increases salicylates immensely in the final product. More studies need to be performed.
Wintergreen tea, berries, and traditional herbal tincture are generally regarded as safe.
Dose