Wintergreen essential oil has healing properties that can relieve pain and inflammation. Wintergreen is an essential oil used in aromatherapy and massages as well. It is extracted from the root of the plant which grows wild across Europe, Asia, northern USA and some parts of Africa. This plant is part of the mint family, Lamiaceae.
To treat your aches and pains, try wintergreen essential oil first. Just like carrier oils, it works well when applied topically on the skin. When buying a quality carrier oil, make sure it is fragrance free, contains no alcohol and is made from natural ingredients. You can buy quality carrier oils in bulk at wholesale prices from online, wholesale stores.
Wintergreen essential oil is commonly used for headache relief and to relive pain. Its major ingredients are wintergreen, myristic acid, benzoic acid and methyl salicylate. The wintergreen has analgesic and anticonvulsant properties that can relieve pain and reduce nausea. Mix one tablespoon with four drops of wintergreen essential oil for instant migraine relief.
Another use for wintergreen essential oil is to help relieve colds and flu symptoms. To prepare this blend, mix one tablespoon of wintergreen leaves with two teaspoons of dried lavender or peppermint leaves. Put these leaves in a container and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. For instant cold and flu symptoms, inhale the steam created by mixing the leaves with hot water. The fragrance of the leaves is a relaxing and energizing element.
Wintergreen essential oil is used for the skin and hair. Use it as a natural tonic to treat minor skin problems and rashes. Use two drops to massage into your scalp and leave on overnight. For a soothing scalp treatment, put a couple of drops of wintergreen essential oil into your bath water and soak your head for about fifteen minutes.
When you want to relax and unwind, and wintergreen essential oil to your bath water and gently swirl it around in the water. This will create a lovely relaxing bath atmosphere. When used topically, this oil soothes and heals skin irritated with insect bites, rashes, eczema, acne, burns or cuts. Add one drop to any cream or lotion and apply to the area to soothe and heal.
Wintergreen essential oil has strong antiseptic qualities. It can be very useful after having a major surgery. It helps to soothe the wound, reduces pain and itching, helps with post-operative soreness and fever. It has been proven very effective at stopping the spread of minor infections following major surgery. To use it safely for a wound treatment, dilute the wintergreen essential oil with carrier oil, such as olive oil, and use undiluted drops under the tongue for mouthwash or gargling with a natural cotton ball until the symptoms have gone.
If you have acute pain that does not subside after a few days rest, try adding wintergreen essential oil to your diet. Consult your doctor before doing so. He may prescribe a stronger dosage to reduce your pain. He may also be able to tell you that anti-inflammatory medications are best for your type of arthritis, and what dietary changes to make that will also help with the pain.
Methyl salicylate is a well known ingredient in over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers such as Aspirin, Aleve, and ibuprofen. However, it is not yet fully understood how it affects the brain and central nervous system. The chemical name is methyl salicylate, but the scientific term for it is methyl-2-amino-acetic acid, or MSM. So, wintergreen essential oil is similar to aspirin but has a different major chemical structure.
Mint family members are analgesics, stimulants, and antiseptics, just like aspirin. Wintergreen essential oils are also in the mint family. Most people know that peppermint is used to freshen the breath and flavor of many products. Minty essential oils have a similar effect on the central nervous system, but they do not act as quickly or as strongly as aspirin. Peppermint also contains the chemical menthol which has calming and cooling effects.
To use wintergreen essential oil topically, you need to dab a few drops on a cotton ball or cotton swab followed by dabbing it on the painful area. To get the best results, it is recommended that you cover the affected area with a thin layer of vapor rub which you can buy from any health and wellness store. This will help keep your vapor rub fresh until you need to use it. It is very important to remember to take the drops slowly, so that you do not become too drowsy. You should also be aware of the number of drops you are applying because using too much can cause stomach cramps, which can potentially cause hypothermia.
