Wintergreen Essential Oil
Botanical Name: Gaultheria procumbens L.
Family: Ericaceae.
Synonyms: Aromatic wintergreen; checkerberry; teaberry; gaultheria oil.
Origin: Native to North America. It's extensively grown in Canada and the USA for oil. The oil is mainly produced in the USA.
Botanical Description: A small mat-forming woody shrub up to 15-cm (6 in.) high, with slender creeping stems, flowering branches and bright green leathery serrated leaves at the top, and white or pinkish bell-shaped flowers. The berries are red and fleshy.
Oil Extraction: Wintergreen essential oil is obtained by steam - water distillation of the macerated leaves. The oil is pale yellow, yellowish, occasionally pinkish mobile liquid. Yield 0.5 to 0.7%.
Aroma Profile: The top note is sweet, aromatic, creamy-fruity, powerful. The body note is intensely sweet-aromatic, fresh and penetrating. The dry-out is sweet-woody. No tar like notes should be present.
Major Constituents: Methyl salicylate (96 to 99%).
Adulterants: Synthetic methyl salicylate, sweet birch oil.
Regulatory Status: None. ASP 2922.
Aromatherapy: Refreshing, bracing, invigorating.
Blends well with: Oregano, peppermint, spearmint, ylang ylang, thyme, vanilla, marjoram.
Safety Data: Toxic, irritant, sensitizing. Avoid during pregnancy.
