Wintergreen
|
Botanical Name |
Gaultheria procumbens |
|
Family |
Ericaceae |
|
Other Names |
Aromatic wintergreen, checkerberry, teaberry, gaultheria, partridge berry |
|
Description |
Evergreen, creeping herb up to 15cm, drooping white flowers July- August. Fruit: red berry |
|
Native to |
North America |
|
Parts used |
Leaves |
|
Cultivation |
Moist, acid soils |
|
Harvesting |
Leaves throughout the year |
|
Preserving |
Dry in shade |
|
Actions |
Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antitussive, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactagogue, stimulant |
|
Extraction |
Steam distillation of leaves |
|
Constituents |
Up to 98% methyl salicylate, formaldehyde, gaultheriline |
|
Caution |
Do not use |
Wintergreen Umbellate
|
Botanical Name |
Chimaphila umbellate |
|
Family |
Wintergreen |
|
Habitat |
Dry sandy pinewoods |
|
Description |
Perennial, shrubby, hairless up to 30cm/1ft. Ridged stem. Leaves dark green, short stalked, leathery, evergreen, lanceolata, toothed Flowers stalked 5 petals, pale pink June-July |
|
Native to |
Europe, Asia, N America |
|
Constituents |
Arbutin (hydroquinone-glycoside), chimaphilin, tannins |
|
Other Notes |
Protected species do not collect |