Mother's Herb Garden: Wintergreen

(Page 2 of 2)

January/February 1982
By the Mother Earth News editors 
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In recent years chemical analysis has supported the belief of the Indians and the pioneers in wintergreen's painkilling ability: The plant contains methyl salicylate, a substance related to aspirin. Further investigation has indicated that wintergreen has immunological properties, and it is now being studied in connection with leukemia treatments.

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Today, the flavor and aroma of the herb are found in chewing gum, candy, desserts, perfume and preparations for the bath and the home medicine chest. Wintergreen is a great breath freshener, and its vigorous mintiness has been used for generations to disguise the bitter taste of various medications.

Wintergreen can be propagated from seeds or cuttings, or by layering. However, it's difficult to establish plants taken from the woods, and trying to do so may well lead to their death. Therefore, it's best to obtain seedlings or root divisions from a nursery. The herb grows most happily on shady slopes — in a "wild garden" environment rather than in domesticated beds — with lots of pine needle mulch.

When ordering from a nursery, be sure to specify the herb by its scientific name, as there are at least three other plants known as "wintergreen" in different areas of the country — while our little subject has (as the old riddle points out) some 33 common names! — Mother

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