Atropa Belladonna Herb vs Gaulteria Wintergreen

Notoriously toxic European plant used since antiquity in folk medicine and pharmacy; source of atropine and scopolamine.

A North American woodland plant yielding oil of wintergreen (methyl salicylate); a topical pain reliever with aspirin-like activity; widely used for muscle and joint pain.

atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine, apoatropine

Methyl salicylate, Gaultherin, Arbutin, Terpenes

pupil dilation cosmetic in Renaissance Italy, pain relief in European folk medicine, anticholinergic medicine source

Rheumatic pain in Native American medicine, Headache and fever relief, Antiseptic wound dressing

anticholinergic, antispasmodic, mydriatic

Topical analgesic for joint pain, Muscle pain and sports injuries, Anti-inflammatory

Medical use only - pharmaceutical preparations

Topical oil as needed; 1-2g dried leaves as tea

pregnancy, glaucoma, children, heart conditions

NEVER ingest essential oil – salicylate poisoning, Avoid in aspirin allergy, Avoid with blood thinners

anticholinergic toxidrome, hallucinations, death from berries

Skin irritation topically, Salicylate toxicity if ingested