FOOD FOREST MEDICINE Monograph #7: Winter Green

Common Name:   Wintergreen

Latin Name: Gaultheria procumbens

Brief Description: Gaultheria procumbens is an evergreen shrub growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 4. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Oct to December. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Parts Used/Edible Uses:    Edible Parts: Fruit; Leaves.   Edible Uses: Condiment; Tea.   Fruit - raw or cooked. It has a very strong spicy taste. Best after a frost, the fruit hangs onto the plant until spring if it is not eaten by birds etc. The fruits can also be used in pies, or made into jams etc. The fruit is up to 15mm in diameter.  A stronger tea can be made by first fermenting the bright red leaves. 'Oil of wintergreen' can be distilled from this plant. It is used to flavour beer, sweets, chewing gum etc.

Medicinal Uses: Analgesic;  Anti-inflammatory;  Anti-rheumatic;  Aromatic;  Astringent;  Carminative; Diuretic;   Stimulant;  Tonic.

Other Uses: Essential. An essential oil is obtained from the leaves by steam distillation. In order to obtain the oil, the leaves need to be steeped for 12 - 24 hours in water. The essential oil is used as a food flavouring, medicinally (the original source of Wintergreen oil used as a liniment for aching muscles) and in perfumery and toothpastes. In large doses it can be toxic. A good ground-cover plant for shady positions though it requires weeding for the first year or so. Forming a dense tuft-like carpet, it roots as it spreads and should be spaced about 45cm apart each way.

Safety/Cautions/Interactions:   The pure distilled essential oil is toxic in large doses. If used orally may aggravate stomach ulcers. Do not use if allergic to aspirin. Avoid if less than 12. Topical use can cause contact dermatitis.

Sources: http://eol.org/pages/582117/overview http://www.pfaf.or/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Gaultheria+procumbens http://commons.wikimedia.or/wiki/File:FountainSpringsWintergreen.png http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koeh-064.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gaultheria_procumbens_3.JPG