Wintergreen
(Gaultheria procumbens)
Also know as Checkerberry
Botanical Information
An trailing evergreen shrub in the Huckleberry famiy with fragrant leathery leaves with toothed margins, white flowers, and red berries.
Working with Wintergreen
Part(s) Used
Herb
Herb Forms
Essential oil, bulk herb for tea.
Affects
Oil of wintergreen, which contains methyl salicylate, is widely used externally for its anti-inflammatory activity for arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, and sore muscles. The tea of the herb has a refreshing astringent taste and is used as well for nephritis and neuralgia, irritated bladder, and children’s headaches.
Wintergreen has a taste of SPICY, ASTRINGENT and a temperature of COOL.
Cautions
None noted (leaf). Oil of wintergreen is too toxic to be used internally.
