Botanical characteristics

• Latin name: Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. or Gaultheria procumbens L.
• Botanical family: Ericaceae
• Part used: Leaves
• Country of origin: China, Nepal
• Other name: Wintergreen

Precautions for use

With no toxicity, a single route of administration is recommended: the skin.

However, this essential oil is irritating to sensitive skin.

American wintergreen essential oil is only approved for adults and adolescents, pregnant women can only use in dilution and by prescription.

Caution, people with epilepsy should seek medical advice before using this essential oil.

Other precautions

Warning: 

• Oral use of this essential oil should be taken with the advice of a therapist.

Cutaneous use:

• American wintergreen essential oil can be used neat on small surfaces, but the effect can be irritating: test on skin before use.
• For diluted skin application: dilute 20% in vegetable oil (20% essential oil in 80% vegetable oil).

Contraindications:

• American wintergreen essential oil should not be used by people on anticoagulant treatment or allergic to salicylates (e.g. aspirin is in the salicylate family).
• People with eczema, asthma, ulcers, hiatus hernia, bleeding or surgery should not use this essential oil.

Allergenic components:

American wintergreen essential oil contains very few allergenic biochemicals.

• limonene (≤ 1%)
• linalool (≤ 0.1%)
• geranial (≤ 0,1%)
• eugenol (≤ 0.1%)

Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).

Authorised users

Risks of use