What are the side effects of wintergreen? A comprehensive guide

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

A single teaspoon of concentrated wintergreen oil contains as much salicylate as roughly 22 adult aspirin tablets and can be fatal if ingested. This potent compound, known as methyl salicylate, is the primary source of the serious side effects of wintergreen, which range from minor skin irritation to life-threatening poisoning.

Quick Summary

Wintergreen's side effects are primarily due to its active ingredient, methyl salicylate. While safe for small food flavorings, the oil is highly toxic if ingested and poses risks of topical irritation and dangerous drug interactions.

Key Points

Ingestion is Lethal: Ingesting concentrated wintergreen oil, even a small amount, can be fatal, particularly for children, due to its high methyl salicylate content.
Methyl Salicylate is the Culprit: The side effects are caused by methyl salicylate, the active compound in wintergreen oil, which is chemically similar to aspirin.
Topical Irritation is Common: When applied to the skin, wintergreen oil can cause redness, irritation, burning, or allergic reactions, especially if undiluted.
Dangerous Drug Interactions: It poses a major risk for individuals on blood-thinning medications like warfarin, significantly increasing the risk of bleeding.
Not for Everyone: High-risk groups, including children, pregnant/breastfeeding women, and people with salicylate allergies or bleeding disorders, should avoid wintergreen oil.
Safe Use Requires Dilution: For topical application, wintergreen oil must be properly diluted with a carrier oil to minimize the risk of skin irritation.
Poisoning Symptoms: Salicylate poisoning symptoms can escalate from nausea and tinnitus to severe metabolic acidosis, seizures, coma, and even death.

Understanding Wintergreen's Potent Compound: Methyl Salicylate

Wintergreen oil, derived from the Gaultheria procumbens plant, is known for its strong scent and contains a high concentration of methyl salicylate, similar to the compound found in aspirin. The oil is nearly 98% methyl salicylate, making it potent and potentially hazardous if not used correctly. This concentration contributes to both its pain-relieving effects as a counterirritant when applied topically and its significant risks, as it is readily absorbed through the skin and can cause severe systemic toxicity if ingested. Due to its aspirin-like nature, caution is necessary, especially with concentrated forms.

Life-Threatening Ingestion: Acute Salicylate Poisoning

Acute salicylate poisoning is the most dangerous side effect of wintergreen oil, resulting from even small ingestions. The appealing smell increases the risk of accidental poisoning, particularly in children. As little as 4 mL can be lethal for a young child, and 6 mL potentially fatal for an adult. Symptoms can appear rapidly, progressing from mild to severe, life-threatening conditions.

Initial symptoms often include:

Nausea and vomiting
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Headache
Dizziness
Confusion or lethargy

More serious symptoms can develop, requiring immediate medical attention, such as:

Rapid breathing
Sweating and fever
Metabolic acidosis
Seizures or convulsions
Hallucinations
Pulmonary edema
Coma

Suspected ingestion of wintergreen oil is a medical emergency. For further information on treatment, the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia offers comprehensive details.

Localized Side Effects from Topical Application

Topical application also carries risks, especially if undiluted. Potential side effects can include skin irritation or allergic reactions. To minimize risks, dilute wintergreen oil and perform a patch test.

Serious Drug Interactions

Wintergreen can interact dangerously with medications, especially those affecting blood clotting. Taking wintergreen with blood thinners like warfarin can increase bruising and bleeding. Using wintergreen with aspirin can increase side effects due to their similar chemical makeup. Those with aspirin allergies are also at risk of allergic reactions to wintergreen.

Comparison of Wintergreen Use Cases


Aspect	Safe Use	Dangerous Use
Form of Wintergreen	Trace amounts in food flavorings (e.g., gum, candy) or diluted topical products	Concentrated wintergreen essential oil or large quantities of topical products
Route of Administration	Ingestion of flavorings, proper topical application	Ingestion of concentrated oil, applying to broken skin or large areas
Dosage	Minimal, food-grade amounts, diluted topical formula	High doses, especially undiluted, whether swallowed or applied
Affected Individuals	Healthy adults with no contraindications	Children, pregnant/breastfeeding women, individuals with bleeding disorders, or salicylate allergy

Precautions and Contraindications

Wintergreen is not suitable for everyone due to potential severe side effects. Certain groups should avoid its use, including children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, individuals on anticoagulants, those with bleeding disorders or salicylate allergy, those with asthma or nasal polyps, and individuals with gastrointestinal issues.

Safe Handling and Usage

For those not in high-risk groups who use wintergreen topically, safety is crucial. This includes proper dilution, performing a patch test, storing securely, using externally only, and consulting a professional.

Conclusion

Wintergreen's side effects are primarily due to methyl salicylate, ranging from topical irritation to life-threatening poisoning if ingested. Safe use requires correct application, dilution, and adherence to contraindications. Consult a healthcare professional, especially with health conditions or when using concentrated products. The serious dangers highlight the need for extreme caution, particularly for children and those with specific medical conditions. For further information on methyl salicylate toxicity, the {Link: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002683.htm} offers comprehensive details on overdose symptoms and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, ingesting concentrated wintergreen oil is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. A single teaspoon contains a lethal dose of methyl salicylate for a small child.

Ingestion can lead to severe salicylate poisoning, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, rapid breathing, confusion, seizures, and potentially coma or death.

Wintergreen oil is only considered possibly safe for topical application when properly diluted with a carrier oil. Undiluted application can cause skin irritation, redness, and burns.

Wintergreen oil should be avoided by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals on blood thinners like warfarin, and anyone with a salicylate or aspirin allergy.

Wintergreen contains a chemical similar to aspirin that can increase the effect of blood-thinning medications like warfarin, raising the risk of severe bleeding or bruising.

Yes, the small amounts of wintergreen used for food flavoring are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The danger lies in the high concentration of pure wintergreen oil.

Initial symptoms of salicylate toxicity include nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), headache, and confusion.

To prevent accidental ingestion, especially by children, wintergreen oil should always be stored in a child-proof container and kept out of reach.