Gaulthérie essential oil, authentic Amerindian panacea

Wintergreen was known and used for a long time by Amerindians for inflammatory pathologies . The Indians in fact made an enormous consumption of wintergreen, both internally, against infectious diseases , to bring down fever, and externally, to relieve their pain and heal their wounds.

A little history

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Iroquois prepared “ Swains panacea ”, thus macerating wintergreen. This preparation then had the reputation of curing all ailments …, like an authentic panacea, like Asian ginseng …

The Inuit Indians of Canada chew the leaves in particular to calm pain and fever , and thus counter infectious diseases. They also take them topically to treat wounds. In the United States, however, popular medicine recommends the infusion of the leaves against diarrhea and as an astringent.

The Iroquois, Ojibwa and Algonquin Indians also consume the fruits in their diet.

Around 1815, in Paris, the pharmacist Boyveau therefore copied this preparation and formulated a product called Rob de Laffecteur which also had an incredible impact.

What are the pharmacological properties of the essential oil of Gaulthérie ?

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties:

A circulatory anti-inflammatory , wintergreen inhibits prostaglandins and the release of inflammation mediators such as bradykinin. Also antispasmodic and analgesic (non-opiate painkiller), this essential oil is anticoagulant and antiplatelet agent , but unlike aspirin, it promotes healing .

It is also widely used in locoregional applications, as a vascular protector , for peripheral vascular diseases .

Febrifugal property:

The essential oil of lying wintergreen is therefore febrifuge by vasodilation and sweating.

Positive properties:

This essential oil induces a dilation of the vessels and also becomes reddish when its content is between 10 and 30%.

Other properties:

• Hypotensive
• Stimulating hepato
• Pelvic decongestant
• Vulnerable
• Antirheumatic
• Antibacterial and antioxidant
• Antispasmodic
• Antitussive

Does the essential oil of Gaulthérie require precautions for use?

• This essential oil is prohibited internally
• Contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women as well as in children under 6 years old
• Pure skin irritation possible
• Do not swallow ! Its oral toxicity is well known and causes seizures, diarrhea and respiratory paralysis.
• Contraindicated in hemophilia, allergy to aspirin, peptic ulcer or gastritis
• Do not diffuse, inhale, or put in the bath water
• Cutaneous route only mainly recommended
• Contraindicated in patients treated with anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents

Medical bibliographic sources and clinical trials :

• Miloš Nikolić, Tatjana Marković, Miloš Mojović, Boris Pejin, Aleksandar Savić, Tamara Perić, Dejan Marković, Tatjana Stević, Marina Soković. Chemical car composition and biological activity of Gaultheria procumbens L. essential oil. Industrial Crops and Products, 2013
• Kiran S, Prakash B. Assessment of Toxicity, Antifeedant Activity, and Biochemical Responses in Stored-Grain Insects Exposed to Lethal and Sublethal Doses of Gaultheria procumbens L. Essential Oil. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2015
• Sophie Vergnes, Nathalie Ladouce, Sylvie Fournier, Hicham Ferhout, Faouzi Attia, Bernard Dumas. Foliar car treatments with Gaultheria procumbens essential oil induce defense responses and resistance against a fungal pathogen in Arabidopsis. Front Plant Sci. 2014

Clementine. M.
Naturopath – Aromatherapist / Herbalist – Phytotherapist
Consultant in Clinical Phyto-aromatherapy and Ethnomedicine