INCI: GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS LEAF OIL

The wintergreen native to North America (Gaultheria procumbens) is one Plant genus in the heather family (Ericaceae). The herbaceous plant grows in bushes with broad leaves arranged in rosettes and white/pink flowers from which red berries develop. The plant feels particularly comfortable in shady, moist and nutrient-poor but alkaline-rich humus-rich locations, such as: B. Forest floors. The essential wintergreen oil is finally extracted from the leaves of the plant through steam distillation. Today it is mainly added to cosmetic and sports medicine products.

Effect

Wintergreen oil consists largely of aromatic esters (methyl salicylate) but also of monoterpenes , monoterpenols, sesquiterpenes and sespuiterpenols. Methyl salicylate is said to have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes support this anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect. The monoterpenes and sesquiterpenols, on the other hand, activate the body's own defenses, while monoterpenols support the pronounced antibacterial and antiviral effects of wintergreen oil and, together with the sesquiterpenes, also promote the repair mechanism of skin cells. In addition to its skin-regenerating properties, wintergreen oil has extremely strong pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it helps with acute topical and chronic pain and is often used in rheumatism ointments and remedies for arthritis. These properties make wintergreen oil an excellent remedy for tension, sore muscles and common joint problems (such as after sports) and therefore an indispensable power ingredient in our sports gel for your active lifestyle.

Studies

Michel, P., Dobrowolska, A., Kicel, A., Owczarek, A., Bazylko, A., Granica, S., Piwowarski, J. & Olszewska, M. (2014). Polyphenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Eastern Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens L.) Leaf Extracts. Molecules, 19(12), 20498–20520.

Nikolić, M., Marković, T., Mojović, M., Pejin, B., Savić, A., Perić, T., Marković, D., Stević, T . & Soković, M. (2013). Chemical composition and biological activity of Gaultheria procumbens L. essential oil. Industrial Crops and Products, 49, 561–567.

Olszewska, M. A., Owczarek, A., Magiera, A., Granica, S. & Michel, P. (2021). Screening for the Active Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Polyphenols of Gaultheria procumbens and Their Application for Standardization: From Identification through Cellular Studies to Quantitative Determination. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(21), 11532.