Wintergreen is an oil that has many applications. However, wintergreen has the potential to be toxic if used incorrectly. Understanding the toxicity of wintergreen can help you avoid harming yourself with this substance.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen comes from a plant with berries. The berries have a pleasant minty taste that can be used in cuisine. However, you should only use one or two berries due to the potential toxicity.
History
Wintergreen leaves were used by Native Americans for back pain, fevers, headaches and sore throats. During the American Revolutionary War, it was used as a tea. It has also been used in pies.
Uses
Small amounts of wintergreen have been used as flavoring and its oil is used for the treatment of muscle pain. It is also used for arthritis pain, though there is little medical proof that wintergreen helps these conditions. In high levels, it has also been used as a pesticide.
Safe Dosage
Wintergreen can be used but only in very limited amounts. If you wish to flavor your food with wintergreen, or if you wish to take it for muscle pain, you should ingest no more than one teaspoon or 5 mL of wintergreen oil. Children shouldn't ingest wintergreen at all.
Toxicity
In adults, Wintergreen taken in levels above 5 mL can cause severe vomiting and death, with the danger increasing as the amount increases. In children amounts of even 4 mL can cause vomiting and death.
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