American wintergreen – Gaultheria procumbens
The heather plant gets its name from the remarkable characteristic that it does not retract its leaves in winter and therefore retains its green appearance even in the coldest months. The anti-inflammatory agents of the medicinal plant are also found in its perennial leaves.
Relieved from pain
Fields of application
Methulsaliculat, the essential oil of wintergreen, is one of the main ingredients of the medicinal plant. It has a strong chemical similarity to aspirin and has a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, it has antiseptic and diuretic properties and is used as a diuretic, i.e. a water-expelling agent. Oil of wintergreen is good for rheumatism, muscle pain, arthritis, neuralgia, nerve pain and for treating gout and stiff limbs. Furthermore, the medicinal plant lowers blood pressure, inhibits blood clotting and dilates blood vessels, making it helpful for arteriosclerosis.
Botanical characteristics
Wintergreen is a member of the evergreen plant family and is very rare. If you are lucky enough to come across the medicinal plant in nature, you will usually find it in dry, sandy pine forests in the northern hemisphere. The elongated leaves, which remain year-round, have a serrated edge. They are dark green on the upper side and slightly lighter in colour on the underside. The flowers of the wintergreen are arranged in a corymb with 2 to 7 flowers. Their heads are pinkish-red and hang down like bells. The flowering period lasts from June to August, during which the herb is also harvested for the production of medicines.