WINTERGREEN (Gaultheria procumbens)

DESCRIPTION: Wintergreen is a modern herb found in the northern United States and Canada. An aspirin-like chemical in wintergreen helps to reduce pain, swelling and fever.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS: The leaf of wintergreen improves digestion (stomach ache and gas), lung conditions (asthma), inflammation (pain and swelling) and relieves headaches, nerve pain, arthritis and menstrual cramps. Wintergreen oil is used to treat muscle pain. Wintergreen is also used in flavoring food, candies and teas.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS: Consuming large amounts of wintergreen oil or the leaf can lead to ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches and stomach pain. The oil can also irritate the skin if applied directly to the body.

PARTS USED: Leaves, oil

GENERAL USAGE: Pain reliever, improves digestion, flavor agent

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