Wintergreen Oil - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Who should not use wintergreen oil?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use wintergreen oil.

• Gaultheria procumbens
• Methyl salicylate
• Wintergreen
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific wintergreen oil products they stock.

What should I know about wintergreen oil before using it?

Wintergreen oil is available as aromatherapy and in products that are applied to the skin. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep wintergreen oil out of the reach of children and pets. Wintergreen oil can be toxic to children if accidentally taken by mouth. Applying wintergreen oil to the skin can also be toxic to infants and young children.

Wintergreen oil is for use on the skin only. Drinking wintergreen oil can cause serious health problems. Do not apply products that contain wintergreen oil to damaged or broken skin, such as cuts, scrapes, or wounds.

Keep wintergreen oil away from your eyes. If you get it in your eyes, wash them right away with water.

Pure wintergreen oil can be irritating to your skin. Before applying it to your skin, it should be mixed with another product. Most products recommend mixing one to three drops of wintergreen oil into at least one teaspoon (5 milliliters) of oil, cream, lotion, or shampoo. Follow the instructions on the product label.

Natural substances, such as wintergreen oil, contain various chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific wintergreen oil product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the oil was prepared. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

The FDA has not tested wintergreen oil products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. There are no third-party organizations that test essential oils to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals.

What should I tell my health care provider before using wintergreen oil?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Also tell them if you have an upcoming surgery planned. Sharing this information will help your health care provider know if this or other supplements are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Aspirin or Salicylate Allergy. Wintergreen oil contains large amounts of methyl salicylate. If you have an allergy to aspirin or salicylate, you may also be allergic to wintergreen oil. Speak to a health care provider if you are concerned that you may have an aspirin or salicylate allergy.

Asthma. Wintergreen oil contains large amounts of methyl salicylate. Some people with asthma are more likely to have a reaction to salicylates. This reaction may take the form of an asthma attack. If you have asthma, speak to a health care provider before using wintergreen oil.

Sensitive Skin. Wintergreen oil can cause skin irritation and skin reactions, especially in people who have sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, talk to your health care provider before using wintergreen oil.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Wintergreen oil may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using wintergreen oil, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how wintergreen oil could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if wintergreen oil passes into breast milk. But it is important not to allow your baby’s skin to come into contact with wintergreen oil. If you are applying wintergreen oil to your skin, wash the skin well or cover it with clothing before breastfeeding. You should also talk to your health care provider about using wintergreen oil if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.