Wintergreen was used as an herbal medicine by several Native American tribes and by early settlers as a home remedy.

Gaultheria procumbens - Pyrola Minor

Wintergreen herb is apt to invoke images of relief from muscle aches or the refreshing mint taste of wintergreen, popular in flavoring gum, toothpaste, candy and birch beer.

Native Americans crushed wintergreen leaves in poultices for treating sore muscles, joint aches, and arthritis. Such poultices also eased rashes, inflammations, swellings, and wounds – even toothaches. Internally, wintergreen tea was used to ease fever, a sore throat, an upset stomach, ulcers and gonorrhea symptoms.

what is wintergreen?

Wintergreen herb is a low-growing, perennial shrub.
Wintergreen typically grows to 4-6 inches, or 10-15cm tall.
Wintergreen is an evergreen, meaning its glossy, elliptical to oval leaves retain their green color throughout the cold winter months.

best planting zones for growing wintergreen

USDA Growing Zones: Zones 3-7

Best soil type for growing Wintergreen:

Wintergreen plants prefer to grow in the acid soil found on the forest floor of pine or hardwood forests.
Wintergreen spreads through its long, shallow-growing rhizomes which are found in the top 8-12 inches of soil.

Propagation of Wintergreen:

Stratify wintergreen seeds for 60 days at 5°C/40°F.

medicinal uses of Wintergreen

The oil of wintergreen oil can be used in baths and lotions; its active constituent is methyl salicylate, which helps heal external skin problems.

In culinary uses, wintergreen is commonly used in teaberry gum.

Different varieties of wintergreen plants confuse references. The Common Wintergreen, or Pyrola minor, is now rare, and not available for medicinal uses. Gaultheria procumbens, or Large Wintergreen, is the source of wintergreen oil.