Common Name:	Wintergreen
Botanical Name:	Gaultheria procumbens L.
Family:	Ericaceae.
Synonyms:	Aromatic wintergreen; checkerberry; teaberry; gaultheria oil.
Origin:	Indigenous to North America, extensively being grown in Canada and the USA for its oil. The oil is mostly produced in the USA.
Botanical Description:	A small mat-forming woody shrub that grows 15-cm (6 in.) tall, with slender creeping stems, flowering branches and bright green leathery serrated leaves at the top, white or pinkish bell-shaped flowers, and fleshy red berries.
Oil Extraction:	Wintergreen essential oil is obtained by steam - water distillation of the warm water-soaked leaves. The oil is a fluid pale yellow, yellowish, occasionally pinkish liquid.
Yield:	0.5 to 0.7%.
Aroma Profile:	The top note is creamy-fruity, fragrant, powerful, and sweet. The body note is fresh, penetrating, and intensely sweet-aromatic. The dry-out is sweet-woody. Tar-like notes should not be present.
Major Constituents:	Methyl salicylate (96 to 99%).
Adulterants:	Synthetic methyl salicylate, sweet birch oil.
Regulatory Status:	None. ASP 2922.
Aromatherapy:	Bracing, invigorating, and refreshing.
Blends well with:	Marjoram, oregano, peppermint, spearmint, thyme, vanilla, ylang ylang.
Safety Data:	Toxic, irritant, sensitizing. Avoid during pregnancy.

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