How do I use wintergreen oil for pain
Emily Cortez
Published Apr 18, 2026
Wintergreen leaf is sometimes applied directly to the skin as a wash for achy joints (rheumatism), sore muscles, and lower back pain. Wintergreen oil is applied to the skin as a “counterirritant” to relieve muscle pain. Counterirritants work by causing irritation that reduces pain and swelling in the underlying tissue.
Can you put Wintergreen essential oil directly on the skin?
Wintergreen leaf is sometimes applied directly to the skin as a wash for achy joints (rheumatism), sore muscles, and lower back pain. Wintergreen oil is applied to the skin as a “counterirritant” to relieve muscle pain. Counterirritants work by causing irritation that reduces pain and swelling in the underlying tissue.
What can you mix with Wintergreen essential oil?
Oils that Blend Well with Wintergreen Essential Oil Wintergreen oil blends well with Marjoram, Peppermint, Spearmint, Thyme, Oregano, and Ylang Ylang essential oils.
How much Wintergreen oil is safe?
As little as 6 mL (a little over a teaspoon) of the oil taken by mouth can be fatal. When applied to the skin: Wintergreen oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to unbroken skin. It can cause skin irritation in some people.What is the purpose of Wintergreen oil?
Used medicinally, Wintergreen Essential Oil is reputed to increase circulation, enhance metabolic function and digestion, promote the body’s detoxification, calm inflammation, ease pain, and soothe symptoms of psoriasis, colds, infections, as well as the flu.
Is wintergreen the same as peppermint?
Wintergreen: How they’re different. You can always rely on Peppermint to get the job done, but Wintergreen is a breath of fresh air in more ways than one! You may be surprised to learn that these oils aren’t related; in fact, wintergreen isn’t even a part of the mint family.
Is wintergreen oil good for pain?
Pain and inflammation relief The active ingredient in wintergreen oil, methyl salicylate, is closely related to aspirin and has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. As such, products containing wintergreen oil are often used as an anti-inflammatory and topical pain reliever.
Which drug is known as oil of wintergreen?
Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen or wintergreen oil) is an organic compound with the formula C8H8O3. It is the methyl ester of salicylic acid.Is wintergreen good for your stomach?
It is also used for digestion problems including stomachache and gas (flatulence); lung conditions including asthma and pleurisy; pain and swelling (inflammation); fever; and kidney problems. Some people use small doses of wintergreen oil to increase stomach juices and improve digestion.
Can you overdose on wintergreen?Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) is a chemical that smells like wintergreen. It is used in many over-the-counter products, including muscle ache creams. It is related to aspirin. Methyl salicylate overdose occurs when someone swallows a dangerous amount of a product containing this substance.
Article first time published onIs Wintergreen a hot oil?
Wintergreen is a hot oil, which means that you should always dilute when using it. After you’ve got the right ratio of Wintergreen to carrier oil, you’ll fall hard for this essential oil’s cool factor. Massage it into your shoulders, joints, and hard-worked muscles for a tingle that tells you it’s time to chill out.
What note is wintergreen essential oil?
Aromatic Profile: Intense, penetrating, strongly aromatic, sweet, icy-brisk, characteristic aroma; has a peculiar creamy-fruity top note and a sweet-woody dryout.
What does wintergreen oil smell like?
Wintergreen oil is a pale yellow or pinkish fluid liquid that is strongly aromatic with a sweet, woody odor (components: methyl salicylate (about 98%), α-pinene, myrcene, delta-3-carene, limonene, 3,7-guaiadiene, and delta-cadinene) that gives such plants a distinctive “medicinal” smell whenever bruised.
What is the side effects of methyl salicylate?
- redness or swelling of the treated area;
- increased pain; or.
- severe burning or skin irritation such as a rash, itching, pain, or blistering.
Can you make tea from wintergreen leaves?
To do so, pack a jar with wintergreen leaves and cover with chlorine-free water. Place a lid on your jar, cover with a tea towel, and leave on your counter or other warm area for 3 days, or until you see bubbles forming. Strain, and warm the tea gently just to drinking temperature.
What can I use instead of wintergreen oil?
If you don’t have Wintergreen, you can use Helichrysum or Chamomile for your skin. Cedarwood, Lemon, and Clary Sage are great for the hair!
Is Wintergreen safe to eat?
Wintergreen is a common groundcover plant in the northern tier of the United States and much of Canada. Its leaves are dark green and waxy, and the plants produce a red berry (also known as teaberry) that is perfectly safe to eat.
Is wintergreen the same as menthol?
As nouns the difference between menthol and wintergreen is that menthol is menthol while wintergreen is (obsolete) any evergreen plant.
What is the difference between spearmint and peppermint and wintergreen?
Spearmint contains only a tiny fraction the amount of menthol as peppermint, which is the biggest source of change in flavor. Wintergreen is not actually a member of the mint family, instead being from the family gaultheria.
Where does wintergreen come from?
The plant is a native of shady woods on sandy soil, particularly in the mountainous areas of the northern United States and southern Canada; it is hardy in England. Mountain tea, an infusion of wintergreen leaves, has been used in some parts of North America as a beverage.
How long does methyl salicylate stay in your system?
The salicylate readily crosses the placental barrier. The plasma half-life for salicylate is 2 to 3h in low doses and about 12h at usual anti- inflammatory doses. The half-life of salicylate may be as long as 15 to 30 h at high therapeutic doses or when there is intoxication (Gilman et al., 1990).
Is methyl salicylate an aspirin?
Methyl salicylate, if ingested, is very poisonous. Although aspirin is acetyl salicylate that is structurally close to methyl salicylate, after ingestion it is rapidly broken down into salicylic acid by blood and liver esterase; very little methyl salicylate is broken down to salicylic acid by the esterase in blood.
What is methyl salicylate ointment used for?
Methyl salicylate topical (for the skin) is used for temporary relief of muscle or joint pain caused by strains, sprains, arthritis, bruising, or backaches.
Does wintergreen contain salicylates?
The volatile oil of Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) leaves consists largely of methyl salicylate (more than 95%). Salicylism has been attributed to the use of oil of wintergreen as part of an herbal skin cream for the treatment of psoriasis [3].
Is methyl salicylate bad for kidneys?
Salicylate toxicity from percutaneous absorption can occur, especially with methyl salicylate. Renal dialysis patients are at increased risk for salicylism because salicylates are primarily excreted by the kidneys. Physicians should be aware of the potential risks of salicylate dermal absorption and toxicity.
Is wintergreen oil safe for babies?
According to the NAHA, “some essential oils should simply be avoided [on babies], e.g. birch or wintergreen, which are both rich in methyl salicylate and peppermint.”
Is wintergreen safe for dogs?
Many essential oils, such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang are straight up toxic to pets. These are toxic whether they are applied to the skin, used in diffusers or licked up in the case of a spill.
Can I use vegetable oil as a carrier oil?
You might hear that vegetable oil can be used as a carrier oil and that is true. However, not all vegetable oils will work. … Ones to put on your list to avoid include shortening, baby oil, butter (except shea or cocoa butter), and margarine. You should also avoid petroleum and mineral oil.
How long does methyl salicylate take to work?
It may take up to several hours before you notice pain relief while wearing the skin patch. Remove the skin patch after 8 to 12 hours and replace it with a new one if needed. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using this medicine.
Can you put Icy Hot on your rectum?
Also avoid getting the medicine in your nose, mouth, rectum, or vagina. Also avoid getting the medicine on contact lenses, dentures, and other items that come in contact with sensitive areas of your body.
Is Tiger Balm illegal?
Is Tiger Balm illegal? Tiger Balm is legal in the United States. It’s widely available in drugstores, health stores, and online. Still, Tiger Balm is not approved or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).