NIB Spotlight Wintergreen Essential Oil

July 1, 2019

Nature’s Ingredient Benefit (NIB) Spotlight this month is focused on Wintergreen Essential Oil (WEO).

Wintergreen Essential Oil

DESCRIPTION

Wintergreen (sometimes called boxberry, checkerberry or American wintergreen) is a small, aromatic shrub typically 4-6” tall, has shiny evergreen elliptic-shaped leaves, and is native to North America.  It has white, sometimes pink-tinged flowers and also has a red fruit – that looks like a berry, but is dry inside. These fruits are edible and sometimes referred to as “teaberries”. The wintergreen leaves and branches can be used to make an herbal tea.  Wintergreen essential oil is widely known for it’s pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, primarily due to the presence of the compound methyl salicylates (the aspirin family). It’s commonly found in many topical pain-relieving products and used often in massage products.   The American Pharmacopeia, a listing of various medicinal agents, once included wintergreen leaves in its section on analgesics and rheumatism remedies. Today, the essential oil is still mentioned in certain pharmacopeias and official drug formularies.

PROPERTIES

Antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, counterirritant, reduces pain, inflammation and swelling

TOPICAL BENEFITS

Pain-reducing and anti-inflammatory, reduces swelling, helps relieve pain in acute arthritis and other joint problems, can help to clear acne, uplifting and balancing aromatherapy, improves cardiovascular health, can soothe nerve pain and relieve monthly menstrual cramps.

Consumable?  Yes, leaves make a fine tea; food products for flavoring (like gum, etc.)

OUR PRODUCTS CONTAINING WINTERGREEN ESSENTIAL OIL

Muscle and Joint Relief Salve Wintergreen

Written by Lisa Scheerer, CEO and Creative Alchemist of Not The Same dba Alise Body Care
July 1, 2019

Photo via Monrovia.com