It is the volatile oil obtained by the distillation of dried leaves of Gaultheria procumbens Linn., belonging to family Ericaceae.
GAULTHERIA OIL
Synonyms
Canada tea, Checker berry, Wintergreen oil.
Biological Source
It is the volatile oil obtained by the distillation of dried
leaves of Gaultheria procumbens
Linn., belonging to family Ericaceae.
Geographical Source
It is mainly found in Northern United States from Georgia to
New foundland, Canada, etc.
Characteristics
It is small indigenous shrubby, creeping, evergreen in
nature. It grows to about 5 to 6 inches high. It is found in large patches on
sandy, barren plains and also on mountainous tracts. The leaves are petiolate,
oval, shiny, coriaceous, the upper side bright green and the lower paler. The
drooping white flowers are produced at the base of the leaves in June or July,
followed by the formation of fleshy bright red coloured berries. The berries
are sweet in taste formed by the enlargement of the calyx. The odour is
peculiar and aromatic, and the taste of the whole plant is astringent.
Chemical Constituents
The volatile oil contains 99% methyl salicylate, along with
other components like Gaultherilene and an aldehyde or ketone, a secondary
alcohol and an ester. The characteristic odour of the oil is due to the alcohol
and ester. The oil does not occur crudely in the plant, but is a nonodorous
glucoside, produced by the fermentation of (between water and Gaultherin)
leaves for twelve to twenty-four hours.
Uses
It is used as tonic, stimulant, antiseptic, astringent,
diuretic, emmenagogue, aromatic. Useful as a diuretic, it stimulate stomach,
heart, and respiration; in chronic inflammatory rheumatism, rheumatic fever,
skin diseases, sciatica; for dropsy, gonorrhea, stomach trouble, bladder
troubles, and obstruction in the bowels. The oil is a flavouring agent for
tooth powders, liquid dentrifices, pastes, etc., especially if combined with
menthol and eucalyptus.
Marketed Products
It is one of the ingredients of the preparations known as
Rheumatil gel and Dabur balm (Dabur).
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