Wintergreen (organic)

Much of what is sold as wintergreen oil is synthetic methyl salicylate, or a distillate of sweet birch bark. All three are near-identical in composition and difficult to separate by nose. Genuine wintergreen is a leaf oil, and its chemistry has to be released before it can be distilled.

01 · Origin

Gaultheria fragrantissima is an evergreen shrub of the heath family, Ericaceae, growing in the Himalayan foothills. This oil is distilled in Nepal from the leaves, under certified organic cultivation.

02 · Process

The fresh leaf holds almost no free oil. Its methyl salicylate is bound as a glycoside, gaultherin. The leaves are macerated in warm water before distillation so that the plant's own enzymes can split the glycoside and free the aromatic. Methyl salicylate dominates the finished oil, with ethyl salicylate in a minor role.

03 · In Practice

Sharp, sweet and penetrating, with a minty, medicinal character. A very small proportion dominates a blend, so it is used at low concentration in massage formulas and in olfactory study. Methyl salicylate is a concentrated compound; this oil is never for internal use and is kept well away from children. Blends with peppermint, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, ginger and black pepper.

General information: For external use only. Dilute before applying to skin. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.