Wintergreen oil: This is how the essential oil works

Wintergreen oil is an essential oil that has an intense fragrance. In this article we explain how the essential oil works and what you should consider when using it.

The wintergreen oil is a colorless to slightly yellowish liquid. It is obtained from the leaves of the winter green shrub. The “Gaultheria procumbens” plant originally comes from North America and Canada.

The intense smell of the oil is slightly reminiscent of vanilla, often it can already be noticed on the leaves. In terms of taste, however, the wintergreen oil has a minty aroma.

This is how wintergreen oil works

Wintergreen oil is said to have different, positive effects – even if there are no scientific studies on it so far. The Pharmazeutische Zeitung reports that most of the effects are based solely on many years of experience and application practices. It refers to the so-called “Olbas drops”. It is a mixture of essential oils. In addition to wintergreen oil, it also contains, for example, peppermint and Eucalyptus oil contain.

The tradition of wintergreen oil goes back a long time. Even the indigenous people of North America allegedly used the oil to naturally relieve pain and fever. They chewed the leaves and made refreshing drinks from the oil.

To this day, many people report a strong, pain-relieving effect. The oil is said to be used as a natural antiseptic, especially for rheumatism and joint pain. The reason for this is the active ingredient salicylic acid methyl ester it contains. This should be roughly the same original substance as the known Pain reliever aspirin contain. Applied externally, the wintergreen oil can therefore develop a pain-relieving effect. Athletes, for example, who suffer an injury and need quick help, also benefit from this.

Since the oil is said to have an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect, it can inhibit inflammatory processes in the body. Pain specialist Eliane Zimmermann recommends adding the oil in such cases Lavender oil to use to create an additional relaxing effect.

Application tips

In aromatherapy, it is common to use wintergreen oil as a combination preparation. Doctors envisage the maximum daily dose: up to three grams inside. The oil should always be mixed with another carrier oil if you want to use it externally. A ratio of 1: 4 is recommended. Furthermore, you should not overdose on the wintergreen oil. Pain specialists: inside recommend a maximum of 5 drops and advise against using the oil in conjunction with warming or heating pads.

Attention: You should not expose the rubbed areas of skin to direct sun, as the oil is phototoxic and can release toxic substances as a result. In addition, the wintergreen oil must be dosed precisely, since overdosed methyl salicylate can be toxic and can sometimes cause serious health problems. Long-term overdose can lead to skin irritation, numbness, hallucinations and damaged blood vessels. Before using wintergreen oil in large quantities, you should therefore definitely seek medical advice. In addition, you may only use the oil externally, as the active ingredient methyl salicylate can have a toxic effect in the body.

Buy wintergreen oil: You should pay attention to this

The same quality features apply to wintergreen oil as to other essential oils. This means: If you want to receive a high-quality product, you should pay attention to the manufacturer and the corresponding seal. If possible, pay attention to organic goods or certified natural cosmetics. You can find out which seals are trustworthy in this regard here: What is certified natural cosmetics? Seals, backgrounds, tips.

It should also be clear on the label whether the product contains other oils or other ingredients. Depending on how you want to use the oil, you can choose a combination preparation or the pure wintergreen oil.

Also, make sure to only buy wintergreen oil in dark blue glass bottles. Avoid products that come in porous containers. These products may be spoiled by the light transmission.

From an ecological perspective, it is advisable to Avoid plastic bottles. You can rinse and reuse the glass bottles after use. From a health point of view, you should also refrain from using plastic containers, as plastic particles can sometimes detach from plastic bottles and contaminate the oil.

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