SOLOMON SEAL & WINTERGREEN
(Page 3 of 3)
The fruit, a bright crimson berry, can be found on the
plant in fall through winter and into the following spring.
This edible berry has a strong minty flavor, and is
somewhat mealy in texture.
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Medicinal Uses: Wintergreen's primary medicinal property is
methyl salicylate, the basic compound of aspirin. The
plant, analgesic and astringent, is used internally or
externally to help relieve pain.
Externally, liniment of the herb can be applied to
arthritic or rheumatic joint inflammations where it may
help reduce pain and irritation. The liniment can also be
used for strained or sore muscles; apply along with a
gentle massage to relieve aching.
Internally, wintergreen tea can be taken for general relief
of minor pains. It may be helpful for headaches, in the
discomfort of arthritis or rheumatism, or in muscle aches
and pains after strenuous exercise. Since wintergreen is
also diuretic and antiseptic, it can be taken internally
for mild bladder irritations; wintergreen can help increase
the flow of urine while easing the pain associated with the
condition.
The oil of wintergreen, which can be purchased from an herb
or health food store, can provide relief for irritated
teeth and gums. However, it is highly concentrated; use
sparingly.
Harvesting: Gather wintergreen when the plant is in bloom,
and select only the healthiest-looking leaves. (Pluck
leaves from several branches.) Once you get them home,
spread the leaves out on screens, paper bags, or baskets,
and keep them out of the sun. Because the leaves are
somewhat fleshy, the wintergreen leaves may take longer
than other plants to dry. You will know the plant is ready
to store when a leaf snaps easily between your fingers.
Dosages: For wintergreen tea, combine one to two teaspoons
of the leaves for every cup of boiling water. Cover and let
mixture steep for 10 to 15 minutes, and drink three times a
day for pain relief or to help bladder irritations. If you
are using the oil of wintergreen for painful teeth
irritations, place a drop on your finger and apply
externally to the affected tooth and gum. Apply three or
four times daily.
Editor's note: Corinne Martin, a graduate of the
Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine in Santa Fe,
NM,isa certified clinical herbalist who
has studied plants for over a decade. This passage is from
her book Earthmagic: Finding and Using Medicinal
Herbs, available postpaid for $17.45 from The
Countryman Press (PO. Box 175, Woodstock, VT 05091;
800/245-4151).
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