Heard of the natural shrub wintergreen? You may just find it in a tea infusion or a pain relief balm. So, what is it?
As the winter months arrive, some of us turn to traditional medicines to alleviate the aches and pains caused by the colder temperatures. Although prescription drugs and over-the-counter painkillers are usually the first thought, nature has her own toolkit of miracles to help.
One such natural beauty is the plant wintergreen, long-used in traditional medicine.
We will explore the realm of wintergreen in this post, looking at its possible natural pain-relieving properties and the science supporting its potency.
So, what is wintergreen?
Native to North America, the low-growing, evergreen shrub wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) has an unusual taste and scent, which come from a chemical found in its leaves: methyl salicylate. For millennia, people have utilized wintergreen in traditional medicineāespecially in the Appalachian section of the United States. The herb has been used to cure digestive problems, inflammation, and pain, among other conditions.
How wintergreen helps in pain relief
The methyl salicylate concentration of wintergreen is mostly responsible for its analgesic qualities. This chemical has some important variations but is otherwise like aspirin, a popular pain medication. As aspirin blocks the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are substances causing pain and inflammation, methyl salicylate acts by reducing the synthesis of several enzymes engaged in the pain response.
Studies have indicated that in terms of lowering pain and inflammation, wintergreen extract may be equally powerful as aspirin. In one study, those who drank wintergreen extract showed notable less inflammation and pain than those given a placebo. In individuals with osteoarthritis, a disorder marked by joint pain and inflammation, another study revealed that wintergreen extract could help to lower pain and inflammation.
How therefore might the methyl salicylate concentration of wintergreen help to alleviate pain? The way the chemical interacts with the body’s pain reaction system will help to explain the result. Methyl salicylate inhibits the synthesis of several enzymes, known as cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), which generate prostaglandins. Chemicals causing fever, discomfort, and inflammation are prostaglandins.
Methyl salicylate lowers the body’s generation of prostaglandins via blocking COX-1 and COX-2 synthesis. This thus lessens inflammation and pain. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory qualities of methyl salicylate aid in lowering swelling and inflammation.
Natural remedies
Although wintergreen extract is sold in supplement form, the herb is also included in various herbal medicines. Several well-known wintergreen cures consist:
- Made from dried wintergreen leaves, wintergreen tea is a cosy, comforting drink.
- Wintergreen oil is extracted from wintergreen leaves and can be used to treat muscle and joint discomfort.
- Wintergreen salve is a topical application derived from wintergreen extract, used to ease skin irritation and pain.
What to look out for?
Although wintergreen is usually thought of as harmless for external applications, there are caveats for ingestion. Particularly at large dosages, methyl salicylate can upset the stomach. For those with bleeding disorders and stomach ulcers, avoid ingesting wintergreen.
A relief to consider
The methyl salicylate in wintergreen makes it a good pain reliever, for reducing muscular and joint discomfort, and as a naturalĀ substitute for conventional painkillers.
References
- “Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen).” _National Institute of Health_. National Institutes of Health, 2019.
- “Methyl Salicylate.” _MedlinePlus_. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2020.
- “Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) for Pain Relief.” _National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health_. National Institutes of Health, 2018.
- “The Effect of Wintergreen Extract on Pain and Inflammation in Patients with Osteoarthritis.” _Journal of Ethnopharmacology_. Elsevier, 2017.
Note: This web site is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services.
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