PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
Like salicylates in general, methyl salicylate
has antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and anal-
gesic properties (GOODMAN AND GILMAN).
TOXICOLOGY
Methyl salicylate is much more toxic than
salicylates. It can be absorbed through the
skin, and fatal poisoning via this route has
been reported. As little as 4 mL (4.7 g) methyl
salicylate may be fatal in children (GOODMAN
AND GILMAN). Side effects of the leaves are
unknown (BLUMENTHAL1).
USES
Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Methyl salicylate has limited use as a coun-
terirritant in antiarthritic and antineuralgic
preparations such as ointments, liniments,
and analgesic balms; as an antiseptic; and as
a fragrance ingredient in perfumes and other
cosmetic preparations. Presently, synthetic
methyl salicylate is mostly used.
Betula pendulaleaves are reportedly di-
uretic, used in irrigation therapy for bacterial
and inflammatory disease of the urinary tract
(BLUMENTHAL1).
Food. Extensively used for its wintergreen
(or root beer) flavor in most major categories
of foods, especially nonalcoholic and alcohol-
ic beverages, frozen dairy desserts, candy,
chewing gum, gelatins and puddings, and
baked goods. It is a common flavor ingredient
in root beers. The highest average maximum
use level reported is in candy (ca. 0.1%), but
most of it is probably lost during processing.
Traditional uses. American Indians used the
bark tea for milky urine and stomachache, the
bark decoction for diarrhea, pneumonia, and
pulmonary problems, and the leaf tea for
dysentery and colds (MOERMAN). Essential oil
reportedly used for rheumatism, gout, scrofu-
la, bladder infection, and neuralgia (FOSTER
AND DUKE).
COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS
Volatile oil; it was formerly official in U.S.P.
and is currently official in F.C.C. mono-
graphed under methyl salicylate together with
wintergreen oil.Betula pendulaleaves are the
subject of a German therapeutic monograph,
used in irrigation therapy as a diuretic
(BLUMENTHAL1).
REFERENCE
See the General References forARCTANDER;BAILEY2;BLUMENTHAL1;BRUNETON;FEMA;FOSTER AND DUKE;
GUENTHER;MCGUFFIN1&2;MERCK;UPHOF;USD26th.
- G. A. Nowak,Am. Perfum. Cosmet., 81 ,37
(1966).
BLACKBERRY BARK
Source: Rubus fructicosus L. (Family
Rosaceae).
Common/vernacular names: Blackberry,
bramble.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
A spiny shrub with an edible black berry;
extensively hybridized; native to temperate
Europe and adjacent countries. Part used is
the dried bark of the rhizome and roots col-
lected in the spring and fall.
96 Blackberry bark
