W
PHR); Pain (1; APA; CRC; FAD; MAD); Pertussis (f; MAD); Pleurisy (1; PHR); Pleurosis (f;
MAD); Pleurodynia (1; CRC; PHR); Rheumatism (1; APA; CRC; FAD; PNC); Sciatica (1; CRC;
FAD; PH2); Scrofula (f; CRC); Sniffle (f; MAD); Sore Throat (1; APA; CRC); Sprain (1; FAD);
Stomachache (1; DEM; FAD); Stomatosis (f; CRC); Stroke (f; MIC); Tapeworm (f; DEM);
Toothache (1; CRC); Tumor (1; FAD); Typhus (f; MAD); VD (f; CRC; DEM); Uterosis (f; MAD);
Water Retention (1; APA; CEB; CRC; PNC); Worm (f; DEM).
Dosages (Wintergreen) — Never take wintergreen oil internally (APA); 1 tsp leaf/cup water,
steeped 5–20 minutes, up to 1 cup/day, one mouthful at a time (APA); 10–20 drops wintergreen
oil in capsules or milk (MAD).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wintergreen) — Class 1. Salicylates and
tannins (AHP). AHP gives wintergreen its top score for efficacy (APA). “Not allowed as a non-
medicinal ingredient in oral products in Canada” (Michols, 1995). As little as 4 ml wintergreen
oil can be lethal to an infant. In the U.S., liquid preparations containing more than 5 ml methyl
salicylate must be in child-resistant packaging. Mothers are advised that salicylates do enter
breast milk. Some people, especially asthmatics, may be supersensitive to salicylates. Caution
is always indicated when ingesting any new substance, natural or synthetic (AEH). Wintergreen
oil, classified as “very toxic,” contains methyl salicylate as the chief constituent. Poisoning from
wintergreen oil can cause acid-base imbalance, altered glucose metabolism, and central nervous
system toxicity. Between 5 ml and 30 ml of wintergreen oil is considered the lethal dose for a
70 kg human. CNS symptoms of mild chronic salicylate toxicity include headache, dizziness,
tinnitus, difficulty in hearing, dimness of vision, mental confusion, lassitude, and drowsiness.
More severe symptoms include seizures and coma. Fever is usually prominent. Severe acute
salicylism includes disorientation, irritability, hallucinations, lethargy, stupor, coma, and seizures.
GI irritation may produce nausea and vomiting, hyperventilation, increased GI losses leading to
mild dehydration, which is enhanced by decreased intake of fluid. Hypokalemia may result from
increased GI and renal losses and systemic alkalosis (AEH1). The prodrug, salicin, which does
not irritate the stomach, is metabolized to saligenin in the GI tract and salicylic acid after
absorption. “Products containing willow should preferably be standardized on their salicin
content...” (CAN). Methyl salicylate, the chemical behind the aroma, with antiinflammatory and
pain-killing activities, has recently been shown to enable plants to communicate with each other.
WINTER’S-BARK (Drimys winteri J.R. & G. Forst.) +Synonyms: D. chilensis DC., D. winteri var. chilensis (DC.) A. Gray.
Activities (Winter’s-Bark) — Analgesic (1; FNF); Antibacterial (1; MPG); Antiseptic (1; MPG);
Antiinflammatory (1; MPG); Antileukemic (1; MPG); Antiscorbutic (f; EFS); Astringent (f; EFS);
Bitter (1; PH2); Carminative (1; EFS; PH2); Diaphoretic (f; MPG); Stimulant (f; EFS); Stomachic
(1; EFS; HHB; PH2); Tonic (1; MPG; PH2).
Indications (Winter’s-Bark) — Adenopathy (1; MPG); Anemia (f; MPG); Bacteria (1; MPG);
Cancer (1; JFM; JLH; MPG); Candida (1; MPG); Circulosis (f; MPG); Colic (f; PH2); Constipation
(f; JFM); Debility (f; MPG); Dermatosis (f; PH2); Diarrhea (f; MPG); Dysentery (f; MPG);
Dyspepsia (f; PH2); Enterosis (f; MPG); Fever (f; MPG); Gas (1; EFS; PH2); Gastrosis (f; JFM;
MPG); Infection (1; MPG); Inflammation (1; MPG); Leukemia (1; FNF; JFM; MPG); Pain (1;
FNF); Respirosis (f; MPG); Rheumatism (f; MPG); Scurvy (1; JFM); Staphylococcus (1; MPG);
Toothache (1; FNF; PH2); Yeast (1; MPG).
Dosages (Winter’s-Bark) — Steep 1 leaf in a cup boiling water 5 minutes, sweeten to taste (MPG).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Winter’s-Bark) — Not covered (AHP;
KOM). None reported (PH2).