Tag: Oil of wintergreen

Historically, a single teaspoon of pure methyl salicylate, or **oil of wintergreen**, contains a dangerously high amount of salicylate, equivalent to nearly twenty 300 mg aspirin tablets. This potent compound, most widely recognized by its other name, is a key ingredient in many topical pain-relieving products but demands careful and respectful use due to its toxicity.

A single teaspoon of concentrated methyl salicylate, commonly known as oil of wintergreen, contains as much salicylate as almost 20 standard aspirin tablets and can be fatal if ingested, especially by a child. This extreme difference in safety highlights the critical distinctions in how methyl salicylate relates to aspirin, despite their shared chemical lineage.

According to the American College of Medical Toxicology, salicylate toxicity is a complex problem resulting from acute or chronic overexposure. This occurs most commonly with aspirin but is also caused by a variety of other readily available products, making it crucial to know **what medications cause salicylate toxicity?**.

A single teaspoon of concentrated oil of wintergreen, which is nearly pure **methyl salicylate**, contains as much salicylate as a dozen adult-strength aspirin tablets and can be fatal to a child. This potent compound, found in many over-the-counter pain relief products, carries significant risks if not used correctly, especially regarding accidental ingestion or over-application.