Application:
Wintergreen oil is used topically (diluted) or aromatheraputically as a folk remedy for muscle and joint discomfort, arthritis, cellulite, obesity, edema, poor circulation, headache, heart disease, hypertension, rheumatism, tendinitis, cramps, inflammation, eczema, hair care, psoriasis, gout, ulcers, broken or bruised bones. The liquid salicylate dissolves into tissue and also into capillaries, so overuse is as risky as overuse of aspirin.
Wintergreen also is used in some perfumery applications and as a flavoring agent for toothpaste, chewing gum and soft drinks,confectionery, in Listerine, and in mint flavorings. One surprising application is rust removal and degreasing of machinery.
Wintergreen is particularly effective for breaking through sea water corrosion.
Wintergreen oil can also be used in fine art printing applications to transfer a color photocopy image or color laser print to a high-rag content art paper, such as a hot-press watercolor paper. The transfer method involves coating the source image with the wintergreen oil then placing it face-down on the target paper and pressing the pieces of paper together under pressure using a standard etching press.
Artificial wintergreen oil, which is pure methyl salicylate, is used in microscopy because of its high refractive index.
Pharma Sources Insight January 2025
