Wintergreen

Is Wintergreen a mint?  The answer may surprise you!  Find out the answer, what Wintergreen does and some helpful tips using Wintergreen.  Ragweed pollen has been out of control, so my voice is really rough.  Apologies for the sound quality.  I haven't found a way to keep my voice sounding even for extended periods of time when the pollen levels are this high.  If you can't understand something, check out the transcript!

Music composed and performed by V. Karaitis

Transcript

Hey!  Thanks for listening!  I’m Chris Wagenti, and this is Who Gets It, Naturally.  Music was composed and performed by V. Karaitis.  I’m not selling anything, diagnosing anything; offering any cures or replacing your doctor.  I’m just sharing my passion for natural products.  If you’re pregnant, please consult your doctor before trying anything new.  Everyone is different so you may need to tweak the recipes a bit to work for you.  Always start with the least amount of essential oils…you can always add, you can’t take away.  Remember, these remedies don’t last forever, you need to reapply as needed.  If you are allergic to any of the ingredients I use, please substitute for something you’re not allergic to.  Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean you can’t be allergic to it.

Today I want to talk about Wintergreen.  You should be familiar with Wintergreen as a flavor for toothpaste, gum and candy.  It’s usually grouped with Peppermint and Spearmint.  Even though it has a minty taste, it’s not a mint.  It’s actually in the Evergreen family.  In fact, before they were called “Evergreens”, the term “Wintergreen” was used, since the leaves stayed green all winter.  Ironically, the Wintergreen leaves don’t always stay green, they can turn red in the winter.  Unlike the other Evergreens I’ve discussed, (Firs, Pines, Spruces, Cypress) Wintergreen isn’t a tree, it's more of a creeping bush, or shrub.  Also, it’s not coniferous, which just means it doesn’t produce cones…it flowers and produces berries.  Like other Evergreens, there are many different varieties of Wintergreen.  The North American variety is indigenous to Canada and the US from Newfoundland to Manitoba and as far south as Alabama.  This variety is also called teaberry, boxberry, checkerberry and mountain tea.  Native Americans ate the leaves and berries to relieve pain.  The leaves are also used to make a soothing tea.  The other main species of Wintergreen used to make essential oil is native to Asia and India.  The main compound of Wintergreen (more than 95%) is Methyl Salicylate.  Wait, isn’t that aspirin?  Sort of…Salicylic Acid is aspirin.  (This makes it very easy to manufacture Methyl Salicylate.  Take this into consideration when shopping for Wintergreen Essential Oil.  Know what you are buying.  Synthetic Methyl Salicylate production has been on the rise for many years, and is labeled as wintergreen oil, gaultheria oil or teaberry oil.)  The Methyl Salicylate gives Wintergreen its analgesic properties.   Other compounds found in Wintergreen include Alpha Pinene, Delta 3-Carene and Limonene.  We’re really starting to see all of the overlap I’ve talked about.  This is why you have a wide variety of choices to accomplish specific tasks, be it reduce inflammation, bacteria, stress, and so on.  Wintergreen isn’t just an analgesic.  It’s also an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, antiarthritic, antispasmodic, antibacterial. 

Wintergreen can be toxic in large doses.  Amounts used in toothpaste, mouthwash, gum, candies and other food and health & beauty products are minimal, and are considered safe.  Wintergreen Essential Oil can cause complications if used in excess topically and if taken by mouth. (remember, essential oils are exponentially more potent than the plants themselves) It can cause rashes and skin irritations, ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, nausea or vomiting, rapid breathing or hyperventilation, sweating, muscle twitches and convulsions, stomach pain, headache, diarrhea and confusion.  If you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, always check with your health care provider before using anything new.  You should not use Wintergreen Essential Oil on infants and children under 2 years.  It can make digestive system issues worse.  If you are allergic to aspirin, you’re probably allergic to Wintergreen.  If you do take aspirin for any reason, you should limit the amount of Wintergreen Essential Oil you use.  The combination can intensify risk of side effects.  Wintergreen Essential Oil can slow blood clotting.  Therefore, it can interact adversely with Warfarin or Coumadin, and other blood clotting medications.  

According to Dr. Axe.com, at www.draxe.com/essential-oils/wintergeen-oil/: QUOTE: 
 “Wintergreen Essential Oil Benefits

As a primary source of methyl salicylate, a lipophilic liquid that is commonly used as a natural analgesic, counterirritant and rubefacient ingredient in commercially marketed over-the-counter dermatological products, wintergreen has the most researched benefits in regard to pain management and numbing skin and sore muscles.

The effectiveness of the topically applied product depends on the release of the drug and the dosage form. Research shows that methyl salicylate from typical ointment bases and several commercial products works differently on pain, with more concentrated forms (such as pure wintergreen oil) producing the most effects.

Aside from fighting pain, other evidence shows that wintergreen is a powerful fighter of free radical damage and oxidative damage. Researchers have found high levels of inflammation-fighting antioxidants within wintergreen, including phenolics, procyanidins and phenolic acids. Moderate levels of flavonoid antioxidants have also been found.

Comprehensive studies led to the identification of 35 different polyphenols within this plant, with procyanidin A-type trimer, quercetin 3-O-glucuronide, isomers of caffeoylquinic acids and epicatechin the dominant components.

Here’s more about what studies have revealed regarding wintergreen essential oil’s benefits:

1. Muscle Pain Relief

Ever try a pain-relieving muscle rub that smelled like menthol or mint? Chances are the product included peppermint or wintergreen oils because both are considered “counterirritants.”

Studies suggest that wintergreen is capable of reducing inflammatory responses and relieving infection, swelling and pain.

Wintergreen oil works to reduce swelling and irritation that occurs around painful muscle, tissue and joints. Studies show it’s even a plausible alternative therapy to NSAIDs (pain-relieving drugs).

Several drops massaged into the skin is also great for relieving achy joints from arthritis or rheumatism. It’s helpful for treating sore muscles and chronic neck pain, as well as relieving lower back pain.

2. Cold and Flu Treatment

Wintergreen leaves contain an aspirin-like chemical that can help reduce pain, congestion, swelling and fever associated with common illnesses.

To open your nasal passages and breathe more deeply, combine wintergreen and coconut oil together, and then rub them into your chest and upper back just like a store-bought vapor rub.

Other beneficial oils to include in this blend in order to treat or prevent the common cold or flu are eucalyptus, peppermint and bergamot oils.

3. Antibacterial and Antiviral

Gaultheria procumbent extract’s main ingredient methyl salicylate can be metabolized in plant tissues to form salicylic acid, a phytohormone that helps induce plant immunity against microbial pathogens. It also displayed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that can cause a variety of illnesses, as well as Paederus fuscipes, an insect that can cause dermatitis in humans.

Results from another study showed strong induction of defense markers after treatment with wintergreen oil and reduction in inflammation and infection. Fluorescence measurement of infected tissues revealed that treatments led to a strong reduction (60 percent) of pathogen development and that the efficacy of the G. procumbens essential oil was even similar to the commercially sold product called BION(®).

Since it helps combat bacterial growth, viruses and fungi, use wintergreen around your home or on your body to safely remove dangerous contaminants. You can run some through your dishwasher or laundry machine to kill odor-causing bacteria and molds that can linger. You also can scrub some into your showers and toilet bowls.

4. Digestive Relief

Wintergreen can be used in small doses to increase stomach acid and juices that help improve digestion. It’s considered a natural mild diuretic and increases urine production, which can help cleanse the digestive tract and reduce bloating.

It also has anti-nausea benefits and soothing effects on the gastric lining and colon because of its ability to reduce muscle spasms, making it a natural remedy for nausea.

You can rub a homemade wintergreen oil mixture over your abdomen, stomach and lower back to improve blood flow and prevent cramping or pain.

5. Skin and Hair Treatment

As a natural astringent and antiseptic, when applied directly to the skin with a carrier oil, wintergreen is able to fight inflammation from blemishes and skin disorders.

It’s also helpful for clearing up acne since it can be used to kill germs on the skin. Additionally, some research shows that wintergreen can help other drugs penetrate the skin more easily to help clear up infections and other issues.

You can add one to two drops to your normal face wash or mix it with coconut or jojoba oil to nourish itchy, red, swollen skin. In the shower, use wintergreen oil on your scalp or hair to remove bacteria, greasiness and dandruff while adding a fresh scent.

6. Energizer and Fatigue Fighter

Records show that Native Americans used wintergreen leaves to increase stamina, alertness and endurance during exercise since it can help extend respiratory capacity and treat pain, mucus buildup or inflammation. Try inhaling wintergreen and peppermint oil before workouts to increase concentration and wakefulness.

You can also dab some along with a carrier oil on your neck, chest and wrists to fight symptoms of sleepiness or to help overcome chronic fatigue syndrome. For recovery following a workout, diffusing wintergreen oil with a diffuser or vaporizer can help open up nasal and respiratory passages, improve blood flow, and relive pain associated with muscular, joint or skeletal strains.

7. Soothing Bath Soak

To unwind and relieve muscle tension, applying pure wintergreen oil mixed along with lavender oil to either a warm bath or ice bath serves as a great muscle relaxer.

8. Air Freshener

Since it works as a natural home deodorizer that can help mask foul smells, use wintergreen essential oil around your home to sanitize the air and surfaces of your bathroom and kitchen. Combine several drops with water in a spray bottle, and apply to hard surfaces, appliances, garbage cans and even your toilet bowls.

You can also diffuse this oil using a diffuser to fill bathrooms with a fresh, minty scent or add several drops to some homemade laundry soap for its deodorizing effects.

9. Hunger and Cravings Reducer

The taste and smell of mint can help reduce cravings and signify satiety, which is why many people find it comforting to chew minty gum after a meal or between meals.

If you feel the afternoon munchies coming on or the tendency to overeat, try sniffing wintergreen oil or gargling it in your mouth. You can try applying a couple drops on your temples, chest or clothes, too.

10. Homemade Toothpaste

With its ability to kill odor-causing bacteria and mouth irritants, wintergreen essential oil is a great addition to homemade (or store-bought) toothpastes.

11. Homemade Mouthwash

Wintergreen not only helps naturally freshen your breath, but it can also protect gums and teeth from infection and pain. Add one to two drops to water, and gargle in your mouth for 30–60 seconds before rinsing.

12. Natural Flavor Enhancer

In commercial food and beverage manufacturing, wintergreen is used as a natural flavoring agent in certain minty-tasting foods, candies and teas.

One way to use some at home is to simply add one to two drops to your favorite green smoothie recipes to cut the taste of bitter greens. You can also make homemade mint tea by adding one to two drops to warm water, which improves digestion and helps relieve bloating after a big meal.” END QUOTE

Again, we do see some conflicting information.  Whether or not to use Wintergreen Essential Oil internally.  I err on the side of caution, and don’t.  There are many other essential oils safe for internal use that can achieve the same results.  Using Wintergreen Tea steeped from leaves can aid with digestive issues, but remember, there is such a thing as “Too Much of a Good Thing”.  Excessive amounts of Wintergreen can also cause many digestive issues.  As far as mouthwash and toothpaste go, technically, you’re not ingesting it.  But, it is in your mouth…inevitably you do end up swallowing a bit of toothpaste and/or mouthwash, not intentionally, but it does happen.  This is something you need to decide for yourself.  Again, there are plenty of other essential oils you can use to achieve the same results.  I’m not knocking Wintergreen.  I use it all the time in my muscle relaxer, Home Run.  I’m just making you aware of the possible negatives. 

To go over the Home Run… I use a cobalt blue 10 ml roller bottle (with a steel ball), 25 drops each of Peppermint, Wintergreen, Siberian Fir and Douglas Fir Essential Oils and fill the bottle almost to the neck with a carrier oil…I usually use either Fractioned Coconut Oil or Sweet Almond Oil.  I have substituted the Douglas Fir with either Eucalyptus or Cypress Essential Oils.  I have also substituted Peppermint with Spearmint.  All 4 versions have worked for me.  You’ve got lots of options…start with the scents you know you like.

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email me at vobyjypsee@usa.com, or send a text from the podcast… You can follow me on X and Instagram … @vobyjypsee; or LinkedIn…search either Chris Wagenti, Who Gets It, Naturally or Voice Overs by Jypsee.  Please download this episode, and make Who Gets It, Naturally a favorite on your preferred channel so you don’t miss an episode.

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