PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Gaultheria procumbens L. is a medicinal plant used in phytotherapy to treat inflammation, muscular pain, and infection-related disorders [PMID:38203735].
Background
Gaultheria procumbens L. (Eastern Teaberry) is a polyphenol-rich medicinal and food plant whose aerial parts (leaves, stems, and fruits) and methyl salicylate-rich essential oil are utilized for therapeutic purposes [PMID:38203735, PMID:37742876].
Traditional uses
Traditional uses include treating internal and external inflammation-related ailments such as rheumatic diseases, influenza, the common cold, fever, and skin and periodontal problems [PMID:37742876].
Active compounds
The plant contains over 70 hydrophilic compounds, including methyl salicylate glycosides, flavonoids, procyanidins, free catechins, caffeoylquinic acids, and simple phenolic acids [PMID:38203735]. Wintergreen oil is dominated by methyl salicylate (96.9-100%) [PMID:38203735].
Mechanism of action
Leaf extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of lipoxygenase and hyaluronidase [PMID:25493634]. In human neutrophils, extracts reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and downregulate pro-inflammatory functions [PMID:35630834].
Clinical evidence
Evidence CInflammation and Muscular Pain
Used in phytotherapy to treat inflammation and muscular pain [PMID:38203735].
Evidence DOxidative Stress
Leaf extracts demonstrated dose-dependent antioxidant efficiency in in vitro models [PMID:25493634].
Safety & adverse effects
Ingestion of methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) can cause severe, rapid-onset salicylate poisoning due to its lipid solubility and concentrated form [PMID:16467617, PMID:8880210]. Symptoms of toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain [PMID:39952819]. Topical application may cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis [PMID:35368095, PMID:8880210, PMID:42264912].
Drug interactions
Excessive use of topical preparations containing methyl salicylate in patients receiving warfarin may result in adverse interactions and bleedings [PMID:8880210].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, reviews, and case reports of toxicity; there is a lack of high-level clinical trial data for efficacy in humans.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 38203735 (2024) — Phytochemistry and Biological Profile of Gaultheria procumbens L. and Wintergreen Essential Oil: From Traditional Application to Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets. · International journal of molecular sciences
- 2.PMID: 16467617 (2006) — [Acute salicylate poisoning]. · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
- 3.PMID: 35368095 (2022) — First report of allergic contact dermatitis caused by Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) essential oil. · Contact dermatitis
- 4.PMID: 25493634 (2014) — Polyphenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Eastern Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens L.) Leaf Extracts. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- 5.PMID: 39952819 (2025) — Severe Salicylate Poisoning Due to Teaberry Flavoring Ingestion: A Case Report.