Tag: Aromatherapy safety

Certain essential oils are composed almost entirely of methyl salicylate, a compound used in many topical analgesics for muscle pain [1.2.2, 1.5.4]. Wintergreen (*Gaultheria procumbens*) and Sweet Birch (*Betula lenta*) oils contain 98% or more of this potent ingredient [1.3.1, 1.4.5].

According to research, certain plant-based products, including essential oils, contain concentrated levels of natural salicylates, and this can be a concern for people with salicylate sensitivity. Understanding which plants produce these compounds is crucial for addressing the question: 'Do essential oils contain salicylates?'