Spring Wintergreen

This genus includes some 170 species of evergreen shrubs, closely related to Vaccinium (See, Cranberry). occurring mainly in the Andes but also in N America, E Asia, the Himalayas, and Australasia. Many are naturally dwarf, with a neat habit, waxy flowers, and colorful fruits, making good subjects for rock gardens and containers. Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) is a traditional native N American remedy, used for aches and pains, and to help breathing while hunting or carrying heavy loads. Wintergreen leaves were listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (1820-94); oil of wintergreen is still listed. The oil was once a major source of methyl salicylate (an anti-inflammatory, similar in effect to aspirin), produced mainly in Monroe County, Pennsylvania; most methyl salicylate is now synthesized. Gaultheria was named after Jean François Gaulthier (1708-56), a physician and botanist who worked in Canada.

Sometimes referred to as the little tea in the woods, this aromatic evergreen shrub produced bright red berries that provide wintergreen flavoring, used in teas, candies, and breath mints. Wintergreen leaves contain salicylates, the pain-relieving ingredient in aspirin, which is most likely the reason they have been considered useful in treating nerve ailments, arthritis, and menstrual pain.

Dense, creeping, prostrate shrub with glossy, ovate-elliptic leaves, 2-5cm (¾-2in) long. White to pink, solitary, pendent flowers appear in spring and summer, followed by globose, in spring and summer, followed by globose, red, aromatic fruits, to 1.5cm (½in), across, that remain all winter.


Common Name:
Spring Wintergreen
Other Names:
Boxberry, Canada Tea, Checkerberry, Deerberry, Hillberry, Mountain Tea, Partridge Berry, Spiceberry, Teaberry, Waxberry, Wintergreen
Botanical Name:
Gaultheria procumbens
Genus:
Gaultheria
Family:
Ericaceae
Cultivation:
Moist, peaty, neutral to acid soil in partial shade.
Propagation:
By seed sown in autumn on soil surface; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer; by separation of rooted suckers in spring.
Harvest:
Leaves are gathered from spring to early autumn and dried for use in infusions and liquid extracts. Oil is extracted from fresh leaves for use in rubbing oils, inhalants, liniments, and ointments. Fruits are picked when ripe.
Native Location:
Eastern N America.
Height:
7-15cm (3-6in)
Width:
1m (3ft)
Hardiness:
Z3-7
History:
Wintergreen is another of the plant kingdom's herbs that contains salicylates, the natural aspirin-like substances that relieve pain and inflammations. Specifically, wintergreen contains methyl salicylate, a compound that gives the herb a distinctive menthol aroma and minty taste. Methyl salicylate is now widely synthesized and used in an array of commercial products, including gargles, gums, mouthwashes, toothpastes, and that famously "hot" muscle ointment Ben-Gay™. Centuries ago, Native Americans used wintergreen tea for aches and pains, asthma, coughs, muscle and joint injuries, rheumatism, sore throats, stomach upsets, and toothaches. The early American colonists enthusiastically adopted the practice of drinking wintergreen (which was listed as an official medicine in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia until 1994) and used it as a substitute for the more expensive and much-taxed British teas.
Parts Used:
Leaves, oil, fruits, roots, stems
Chemical Constituents:
  • Methyl Salicylate
  • Monotropitoside
    		•
    Properties:
    An astringent, aromatic, warming herb that is anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and expectorant. It is a good antiseptic and counter-irritant.
    Known Effects:
  • Blocks impulses to pain center in brain
  • Irritates stomach
  • Treats pain of strains and bruises when used externally

    • Miscellaneous Information:
  • Toxicity is unlikely unless you consume very large amounts of the entire plant.
  • Do not apply after vigorous exercise as it may cause salicylate toxicity.
    		•
    Possible Additional Effects:
  • May relieve headache
  • May relieve toothache
    		•
    Medicinal Uses:
    Mainly externally for rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, myalgia, sprains, neuralgia, and mucus. Oil of wintergreen is toxic in excess, causing liver and kidney damage. Not given to patients with hypersensitivity to aspirin (salicylates).
    To treat sciatica and other nerve ailments, menstrual problems, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and pleurisy.
    Wintergreen has anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, pain-relieving, stomach-soothing, stimulant, and tonic properties. It is taken internally for pain and inflammations, and to treat arthritis, asthma, colds, colitis, coughs, joint, and tissue injuries, muscle spasms and sprains, rheumatism, and urinary tract ailments. Wintergreen is applied externally—in washes or ointments—to relieve pain and to treat minor skin ailments and inflammations.
    Preparation:
    Wintergreen is available as dried herb and in capsules, oils, teas, and tinctures. To make a tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried herb and steep for 5 minutes. Strain, and drink up to 1 cup a day, 2 tablespoons at a time.
    Warnings and Precautions:
    Do not give wintergreen to children under 16 if they have cold, flu, or other viral symptoms. The menthol salicylate in the herb may cause Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal illness. Do not take wintergreen with other salicylates, such as aspirin, meadowsweet, or white willow because of the risk of additive effects. Wintergreen oil may irritate the skin. Use with caution. Do not ingest wintergreen oil.

    Don't take if you:
    Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan pregnancy in the near future.
    Consult your doctor if you:
  • Take this herb for any medical problem that doesn't improve in 2 weeks (There may be safer, more effective treatments.)
  • Take any medicinal drugs or herbs including aspirin, laxatives, cold and cough remedies, antacids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplements, other prescription or non-prescription drugs.

    • Pregnancy:
    Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don't use.
    Breastfeeding:
    Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don't use.
    Infants and Childrens:
    Treating infants and children under 2 with any herbal preparation in hazardous.
    Others:
    None are expected if you are beyond childhood, under 45, not pregnant, basically healthy, take it for only a short time and do not exceed manufacturer's recommended dose.
    Storage:
  • Store in cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.
  • Store safely out of reach of children.
  • Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change the action of the herb.

    • Safe Dosage:
    Consult your doctor for the appropriate dose for your condition.
    Possible Side Effects:
    Wintergreen's side effects include lack of appetite, lethargy, and gastrointestinal irritation.
    Drug Interactions:
    Taking wintergreen with these drugs may cause or increase kidney damage:
    Etodolac, (Lodine, Utradol)
    Ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin)
    Indomethacin, (Indocin, Novo-Methacin)
    Ketoprofen, (Orudis, Rhodis)
    Ketorolac, (Acular, Toradol)
    Meloxicam, (MOBIC, Mobicox)
    Metformin, (Glucophage, Riomet)
    Methotrexate, (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
    Miglitol, (Glyset)
    Morphine Hydrochloride, (Morphine Hydrochloride)
    Morphine Sulfate, (Kadian, MS Contin)
    Naproxen, (Aleve, Naprosyn)
    Nitrofurantoin, (Furadantin, Macrobid)
    Ofloxacin, (Floxin, Ocuflox)
    Penicillin, (Pfizerpen, Wycillin)
    Piroxicam, (Feldene, Nu-Pirox)
    Propoxyphene, (Darvon, Darvon-N)
    Rifampin, (Rifadin, Rimactane)
    Stavudine, (Zerit)
    Sucralfate, (Carafate, Sulcrate)
    Tramadol, (Ultram)
    Valacyclovir, (Valtrex)
    Valganciclovir, (Valcyte)
    Vancomycin, (Vancocin)
    Zidovudine, (Novo-AZT, Retrovir)
    Taking wintergreen with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising:
    Aminosalicylic Acid, (Nemasol Sodium, Paser)
    Antithrombin III, (Thrombate III)
    Argatroban, (Argatroban)
    Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
    Bivalirudin, (Angiomax)
    Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate, (Trilisate)
    Choline Salicylate, (Teejel)
    Dalteparin, (Fragmin)
    Danaparoid, (Orgaran)
    Enoxaparin, (Lovenox)
    Fondaparinux, (Arixtra)
    Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock)
    Lepirudin, (Refludan)
    Salsalate, (Amgesic, Salflex)
    Tinzaparin, (Innohep)
    Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven)
    Disease Effects:
    • May worsen gastrointestinal irritation or inflammatory diseases.
    • Wintergreen oil may trigger salicylate allergies or other allergic reactions.
    Toxicity:
    Rated slightly dangerous, particularly in children, persons over 55, and those who take larger than appropriate quantities for extended periods of time.
    Adverse Reactions, Side Effects or Overdose Symptoms:
    Signs and Symptoms What to Do
    Abdominal Pain Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient.
    Culinary Uses:
    Leaves are used for tea, known as "mountain tea". Fruits are eaten raw or cooked in pies, or preserved as jam, jelly, or syrup.
    Economic Uses:
    Oil is used to flavor root beer, chewing gum, and toothpaste; also in perfumery with woody notes.
    Bibliography:
    Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 221
    The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.492-493
    The Modern Herbal Primer by Nancy Burke Copyright©2000 Yankee Publishing, Inc. pg 129
    Vitamins, Herbs, Minerals, & Supplements The Complete Guide by H. Winter Griffith, MD Copyright©1998 Fisher Books pp.461-462