WINTERGREEN ESSENTIAL OIL
BOTANICAL NAME: gualtheria procumbens
ORIGIN: China, North America
PARTS USED: leaves
FRAGRANCE: fresh, minty, sweet, woodsy
BLENDS WELL WITH: birch, lavender, mints, narcissus, oregano, thyme, vanilla, ylang-ylang.
AROMATIC BENEFITS: invigorating, refreshing, stimulating.
MAGICAL USES: protection, healing, hex-breaking.
PHYSICAL USES: analgesic, antiseptic, muscular aches
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Health Benefits of Wintergreen:
The Oil of Wintergreen is popular with the people suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, gout and pain in bones and joints. Wintergreen is a tree native to North America. The essential oil is extracted by steam distillation of its leaves. Menthyl Salicylate and Gaultherilene are the two main components of this essential oil. Menthyl Salicylate forms an integral part of almost every anti-arthritic and antipain balm available in the market.
Medicinal properties:
Analgesic: Pain reducer. It increases circulation of blood and brings warmth.
Anodyne: Eliminates pain and induce relaxations.
Antirheumatic & Antiarthritic: This oil fights rheumatism and arthritis in two ways. First, when applied topically, it easily penetrates through the skin in the muscles and tissues and stimulates circulation of blood, helping clear obstructions in the flow of blood and prevents toxin build-up. Second, although absorbed through skin, when it reaches the blood stream, it stimulates and increases urination and acts as a diuretic. This speeds up removal of toxins like uric acid from the body. The removal of excess water, fats and salts helps reduce weight.
Antiseptic: a substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms.
Antispasmodic: referring to something that suppresses spasms
Astringent: a substance that draws tissue together, restricting the flow of blood.
Carminative: relieves discomfort of gas in the digestive tract.
Diuretic: increases the amount or frequency of urination.
Emmenagogue: stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus, causing menstruation.
Stimulant: increases physiological or nervous activity in the body.
Other Benefits: It is used to treat snake bites, dog bites, stings of poisonous insects like scorpions, wasps, bees, etc. It can also be used to counter obstructed blood circulation resulting from frost and very low temperature.
Safety Warning: Avoid internal use. Avoid during pregnancy. High toxicity. Highly poisonous due to presence of Menthyl Salicylate. It should never be ingested and should not be used in aromatherapy. External application is sufficient for making this oil work inside since it readily absorbed through the skin. If ingested it can cause severe damages to the internal organs. Skin irritant. Never ingest essential oils without a prescription. Use carrier oil when applying to skin.