Wintergreen Essential Oil - HAZARDOUS Material

Steam-distilled essential oil of Gaultheria procumbens (or related Chinese Wintergreen species). This product is offered with significant safety warnings. Wintergreen essential oil is composed of approximately 98% methyl salicylate - one of the most concentrated and toxic essential oils on the market. As little as one teaspoon of pure wintergreen oil has caused fatal poisoning in children.

EXTREME HAZARD - Read Before Use

Wintergreen essential oil is approximately 98% methyl salicylate, which is metabolized in the body similarly to aspirin but at vastly higher concentrations. Toxicity facts: A single teaspoon (5 ml) of pure wintergreen oil contains approximately 7,000 mg of methyl salicylate - roughly equivalent to 90 standard 81-mg aspirin tablets. Multiple childhood deaths have been documented from accidental ingestion of as little as 4-6 ml. Never ingest. Never apply to children. Never apply undiluted to skin (skin absorption is significant). Never use with anyone on blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin) or with bleeding disorders. Never apply during pregnancy. Store in a tightly capped bottle, out of reach of children, in a locked area.

Key Facts

Botanical sources

Gaultheria procumbens (American Wintergreen) or related Chinese species

Primary compound

Methyl salicylate (~98% of the oil)

Toxicity reference

1 teaspoon contains ~7,000 mg methyl salicylate ≈ 90 standard aspirin tablets

Documented deaths

Multiple childhood deaths from accidental ingestion of 4-6 ml

Skin absorption

Significant - topical application can produce systemic salicylate effects

NEVER for

Internal use, children, pregnant women, blood-thinner users, bleeding disorders

About Wintergreen

Wintergreen is the small native eastern North American evergreen ground cover whose leaves famously produce the wintergreen flavor. The traditional Native American and Eclectic herbal use of the whole leaves (as tea or in small-amount preparations) is in a completely different category from the essential oil. The essential oil concentrates the methyl salicylate to dangerous levels not encountered in any traditional preparation.

Acceptable Uses (with extreme caution)

External use only, heavily diluted (0.5% maximum in carrier oil - about 3 drops per fluid ounce of carrier), and only on adults with no medical contraindications. Some traditional topical pain-rub blends use small amounts of wintergreen oil. Always wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Wintergreen oil so dangerous?
The oil is approximately 98% methyl salicylate; a single teaspoon equals roughly 90 aspirin tablets in salicylate content.

Has it killed children?
Yes; multiple documented fatalities from accidental ingestion of as little as 4-6 ml.

Can I use it on skin?
Only with extreme caution: 0.5% maximum dilution in carrier oil, adults only, no medical contraindications.

Why is it sold if it's so dangerous?
It has legitimate but very limited uses (specific topical pain-rub blends) by experienced users.

Is it safe with aspirin or blood thinners?
NO; the salicylate cross-reactivity creates serious bleeding and toxicity risk.

What's a safer alternative?
Peppermint, eucalyptus, or other respiratory/topical essential oils are dramatically safer for most users.

This product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.