Indigenous peoples know how to take care of their bodies using the natural remedies that surround them. These traditional healing techniques have been fine tuned through the centuries, and the herbal wisdom is passed from one generation to another.
Wintergreen is one of those natural allies that the first Americans use to increase lung capacity as well as to improve respiratory conditions. To achieve these effects, the leaves are chewed, although the oil must never be swallowed, as it is toxic. The oil may also be extracted from the leaves using steam and applied externally to assist with joint and muscle pain, and to slow down the mucous discharge brought on by respiratory illness.
Wintergreen oil contains methyl salicylate and a little gaultherilene, which makes it a precursor to common aspirin. The salicylates enter the cells and tissues to inhibit the formation of prostaglandins, and that action reduces inflammation and pain, but the oil must be diluted to limit transdermal absorption. Most oil blends contain less than 25% wintergreen oil, which the body can tolerate.
Wintergreen essential oil has anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, antitussive, carminative, emmenagogue, stimulant and galactagogue properties. The essential oil is often included in formulas that open breathing passages. When the vapor of blended oil is inhaled in aromatherapy, the unmistakable aroma can stimulate the mind and clear the sinuses. Wintergreen blends nicely with eucalyptus and ravensara to provide sinus relief.
The main purpose of blended wintergreen oil is to relieve conditions like gout, neuralgia, lumbago, fibromyalgia, and sciatica. Arthritis sufferers can also get relief when wintergreen oil is blended with other essential oils in dilution such as ginger, thyme, peppermint, oregano, and ylang-ylang. A warm wintergreen oil massage helps weak muscles and joints and when wintergreen oil is added to facial massage ingredients, it helps relieve headaches. Some users consider the oil a liquid bottle of aspirin, but it must be used with care. The oil must be used in modest amounts because it can thin the blood just like aspirin.
It’s rare to find folks chewing on wintergreen leaves these days, but wintergreen oil is an excellent alternative to this traditional method of preparing the body for the day’s adventures.
