Fragrant Wintergreen is one of aromatherapy’s most powerful allies for muscle and joint recovery — intense, warming, and deeply effective.

💪 Analgesic & soothing — naturally relieves muscle and joint pain; one of the most recognized essential oils for physical discomfort and post-effort recovery.

🔥 Warming & circulatory — a strong rubefacient that stimulates local blood flow, warms the massaged area, and supports recovery after physical effort.

🌿 Anti-inflammatory — helps reduce local inflammation, making it a go-to oil in sports and physical well-being routines.

🧘 Muscle relaxant — eases tension and promotes muscular relaxation after exercise, with a characteristic balsamic fragrance reminiscent of traditional recovery balms.

Fragrant Wintergreen is a specialist in the sports and wellness kit. Its exceptionally high methyl salicylate content — the same compound found in many well-known muscle rubs — gives it a distinctive character and a clear purpose: diluted massage after physical exertion.

🏃 After-exercise massage: Its high methyl salicylate content makes it a classic ingredient in sports massage blends for areas that feel sore or stiff after physical activity. A little in a carrier oil is all you need.

🔥 Warming sensation: When properly diluted and massaged in, it produces a noticeable warming effect on the skin, which is why it has long been a staple of sports care routines.

🌿 Distinctive wintergreen scent: Its strong, sweet, immediately recognisable aroma gives massage blends a fresh, medicinal character. Just a small percentage in a blend is enough.

🧪 Pure & traceable: 100% pure and certified organic (Ecocert FR-BIO-01), with its methyl salicylate content confirmed by ChromaCert® analysis. Batch results are available in the Documents section.

Fragrant Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima) essential oil has a strong, sweet, medicinal aroma. Steam-distilled from leaves sourced in Nepal, it contains 95–99.9% methyl salicylate. Its concentrated character makes it a familiar ingredient in carefully diluted, after-exercise massage blends.

💪 After-exercise comfort — Fragrant Wintergreen is traditionally used in massage blends for muscles and joints that feel sore or stiff after physical activity. Methyl salicylate is used in topical preparations for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint discomfort; that does not establish the same effect for this essential oil at every dilution.

🔥 Warming massage — A properly diluted wintergreen massage blend can create a noticeable warming sensation on the skin. Its pronounced scent and concentrated composition mean a little goes a long way.

🌿 Distinctive wintergreen aroma — Its sweet, medicinal scent brings a recognisable wintergreen note to sports massage blends.

⚠️ Use with care — Always dilute before applying to skin. Do not ingest or use if you are allergic to aspirin or other salicylates, or if you take anticoagulants.

Scent Profiles

Sweet · Medicinal

👥 Target Group

Adults, Teens, Children over 12 years old (under adult supervision).

⚠️ Keep out of reach of children. Seek professional advice before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding or for children. Do not use if allergic to aspirin or other salicylates, or while taking anticoagulants.

💡 Usage Recommendations

Massage — Traditionally used in diluted massage blends for muscle and joint comfort after physical activity, particularly for areas that feel sore or stiff after exertion. Always dilute in a carrier oil before applying to skin; avoid eyes and mucous membranes.

Warming sensation — In a properly diluted massage blend, Fragrant Wintergreen can produce a noticeable warming sensation on the area of application.

💊 Recommended Dosage

Skin application — Fragrant Wintergreen essential oil is irritating to skin, so in most cases it must be diluted in a carrier oil before any skin application:

20–50% for occasional use on a small, localized area.

10–20% for prolonged use on a small, localized area.

5–10% for prolonged use or use on a larger area, and for children between 6 and 12 years old.

Do not ingest.

🌿 Skincare Goals

Warming, diluted massage blends for muscle and joint comfort after exercise.

🎯 Other Goals

Sports and after-exercise massage blends · Strong, sweet, medicinal wintergreen aroma.

✅ Recommended Uses

Diluted massage blends for after-exercise muscle and joint comfort.

🫁 Body Areas & Systems

Muscles and joints, with appropriate dilution, after physical activity.

🧔 Skin Types

Use carefully on skin, with appropriate dilution; avoid sensitive or damaged areas and skin known to react to aspirin or salicylates.

🤝 Pairs Well With…

For a cooling, refreshing blend — Peppermint · Eucalyptus

For a warming herbal blend — Rosemary · Black Pepper

For a calming floral contrast — Lavender

For a woody, grounding base — Cedarwood · Frankincense

⚠️ Read the "Precautions" section carefully before use.

⚠️ Read the "Precautions" section carefully before use.

Main uses

Muscle soreness, muscle cramps and muscle pain

Simple use — From age 12 and for adults. For topical use, gently massage the affected area with 1 drop diluted in 9 drops of vegetable oil.

Synergy blend — For ages over 6. As soon as pain appears, massage 4–6 drops of the blend locally. Repeat as needed. For sensitive skin or prolonged use (no more than 3 weeks), increase the amount of Arnica infused oil.

• 10 drops Bay Laurel essential oil
• 10 drops Lavandin Super essential oil
• 10 drops Wintergreen essential oil
• 100 drops Arnica infused oil

Gout attack

Simple use — For adults and adolescents. For topical use, gently massage the affected area with 1 drop diluted in 4 drops of vegetable oil.

Synergy blend — For adults and adolescents. Apply with light massage to painful joints 3 times a day for 5–7 days:

• 5 drops Wintergreen essential oil
• 5 drops Juniper essential oil
• 5 drops Rosemary Camphor essential oil
• 5 drops Peppermint essential oil
• 2 mL St. John's Wort infused oil

Source: Festy, D. (2022). Ma bible des huiles essentielles. Leduc.

Lumbago and back pain

Simple use — From age 12 and for adults. For topical use, gently massage 1–2 drops in 8–9 drops of vegetable oil onto the affected area, depending on its size. Repeat 3 times a day for no more than 3 weeks.

From age 6. For topical use, gently massage 15 drops in 9.5 mL of vegetable oil onto the affected area, 3 times a day for no more than 3 weeks.

Synergy blend — For ages over 6. Apply 4–6 drops of the blend locally 3 times a day until noticeable improvement:

• 30 drops Fragrant Wintergreen essential oil
• 30 drops Scots Pine essential oil
• 30 drops Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil
• 30 drops Lavandin Super essential oil
• 120 drops (6 mL) St. John's Wort infused oil

Tendinitis

Simple use — From age 12 and for adults. For topical use, gently massage 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil onto the tendon, 3 times a day for no more than 3 weeks.

From age 6. For topical use, gently massage 15 drops in 9.5 mL of vegetable oil onto the tendon, 3 times a day for no more than 3 weeks.

Synergy blend — For ages over 6. Massage 3–4 drops of the blend locally, 3 times a day for 5–7 days:

• 25 drops Fragrant Wintergreen essential oil
• 25 drops Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil
• 10 drops Vetiver essential oil
• 10 drops Cade essential oil
• 50 drops Arnica infused oil

Sprain and strain

Simple use — From age 12 and for adults. For topical use, gently massage 5 drops in 5 drops of vegetable oil onto the tendon.

From age 6. For topical use, gently massage 1 drop in 9 drops of vegetable oil onto the tendon.

Synergy blend — For ages over 6. Several times a day, gently massage the painful area with a few drops of the following blend:

• 30 drops Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil
• 30 drops Clove essential oil
• 60 drops Fragrant Wintergreen essential oil
• 260 drops Arnica infused oil
• 260 drops St. John's Wort infused oil

Source: Zahalka, J-P. (2017). Dictionnaire complet des huiles essentielles. Dauphin.

Fragrant Wintergreen or Italian Helichrysum? Wintergreen essential oil is very effective, but if you have Italian Helichrysum essential oil on hand, it is even better! For topical use, apply 3 undiluted drops to the sprain after cooling it with an ice pack, once a day until the sprain disappears.

Muscle tear, contracture and stiff neck

Simple use — From age 12 and for adults. For topical use, gently massage 1 drop in 9 drops of vegetable oil onto the affected area.

From age 6. For topical use, gently massage 15 drops in 9.5 mL of vegetable oil onto the affected area.

Synergy blend — For ages over 6. Gently massage the neck and upper back with 3–4 drops of the blend, 3 times a day for 5–7 days:

• 30 drops Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil
• 20 drops Rosemary Camphor essential oil
• 20 drops Fragrant Wintergreen essential oil
• 10 drops Vetiver essential oil
• 80 drops St. John's Wort infused oil

Fragrant Wintergreen or Rosemary Camphor? Wintergreen essential oil is very effective, but if you have Rosemary Camphor essential oil on hand, it is even better! For topical use, apply 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil to the affected area, 4 times a day until improvement.

Neuralgia and sciatica

Simple use — From age 6 and for adults. For topical use, gently massage 1 drop in 9 drops of vegetable oil onto the affected area, 3 times a day for no more than 3 weeks.

Synergy blend — For adults and adolescents. Massage lightly along the path of the nerve:

• 5 drops Wintergreen essential oil
• 5 drops Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil
• 5 drops Rosemary Camphor essential oil
• 5 drops Bay Laurel essential oil
• 5 drops Lavandin Super essential oil
• 5 drops Italian Helichrysum essential oil
• 2 mL Arnica infused oil

Source: Festy, D. (2022). Ma bible des huiles essentielles. Leduc.

Fragrant Wintergreen or Roman Chamomile? Wintergreen essential oil is very effective, but if you have Roman Chamomile essential oil on hand, it is even better! For topical use, massage 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil onto the affected area.

Arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism and joint pain

Simple use — For adults and adolescents. For topical use, during an inflammatory flare-up, gently massage 5 drops in 5 drops of vegetable oil onto the affected area. Otherwise, use 1 drop in 9 drops of vegetable oil, 3 times a day for no more than 3 weeks.

Synergy blend — For ages over 6. Repeat 3 times a day until improvement, for 2–3 weeks, then take a one-week break before resuming. Apply 4–6 drops of the blend locally to the painful area:

• 20 drops Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil
• 20 drops Ginger essential oil
• 20 drops Fragrant Wintergreen essential oil
• 60 drops Arnica infused oil

Fragrant Wintergreen or Lemon Eucalyptus? Wintergreen essential oil is very effective, as is Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil! For topical use, apply 1 drop of Lemon Eucalyptus in 4 drops of vegetable oil to the painful area 3–4 times a day until improvement.

Trigger finger

Simple use — For adults and adolescents. For topical use, dilute 1 drop of Fragrant Wintergreen in 4 drops of vegetable oil (Arnica, St. John's Wort, etc.) and massage the painful finger up to 4 times a day.

Fragrant Wintergreen or Lemon Eucalyptus? Wintergreen essential oil is very effective, as is Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil! For topical use, dilute 1 drop of Lemon Eucalyptus in 4 drops of vegetable oil and apply to the painful area 3–4 times a day until improvement.

Other well-known uses of Fragrant Wintergreen

Wintergreen essential oil is used on many occasions, particularly in connection with its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and vasodilating properties. For most of the following uses it is effective, though not necessarily the best essential oil. Below are the preferred alternatives to Wintergreen for these concerns.

Swelling, bruises and hematomas — Wintergreen is effective, but Italian Helichrysum essential oil is preferable for hematomas, bruises or swelling: for topical use, apply a few undiluted drops to the affected area 5 times a day until the bruise disappears.

Tachycardia and high blood pressure — Wintergreen may help, but Complete Ylang-Ylang essential oil is preferable for high blood pressure and tachycardia: for topical use, apply 1 drop of Ylang-Ylang to the inside of your wrists, then take deep breaths. Repeat whenever you feel the need (medical advice is necessary for long-term use).

Headache and migraine — Wintergreen is effective, but Peppermint essential oil is preferable for migraines and headaches: for topical use, massage 2 undiluted drops onto the temples and forehead whenever needed. Avoid the eyes!

Painful periods — Wintergreen is effective, but Tarragon essential oil is preferable for painful periods: for topical use, massage 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil onto the abdomen. Repeat every hour until improvement.

• Organic Fragrant Wintergreen essential oil (Gaultheria fragrantissima), sourced from Nepal.
• Steam-distilled from wintergreen leaves.
• Rich in methyl salicylate (95–99.9%).
• 100% pure, whole and chemotyped; guaranteed by ChromaCert®.
• Certified organic by Ecocert (FR-BIO-01).
• Batch selection, quality control and packaging carried out in Lyon, France; analysis results are available in the Documents section.

Fragrant Wintergreen essential oil has a strong, sweet, distinctive wintergreen aroma. Its Nepalese leaf origin, steam distillation and methyl salicylate-rich composition give a clear picture of its botanical and production details.

🧪 INCI

GAULTHERIA FRAGRANTISSIMA LEAF OIL*.

🌿 Botanical Characteristics

• Botanical name: Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall.
• Common name: Fragrant Wintergreen.
• Botanical family: Ericaceae.
• Plant part: Leaves.
• Extraction: Distillation of the leaves.
• Origin: Nepal.
• Cultivation: Certified organic.
• Packaging: Amber glass bottle with drop-control insert.
• Best before: 12/2029.
• Regulatory status: Cosmetic ingredient.

⚗️ Characteristic Aromatic Compounds

Methyl salicylate is the predominant compound in this wintergreen essential oil, accounting for 95–99.9% of its composition, with small amounts of ethyl salicylate. It contains very few allergenic compounds.

🌿 Allergens***

• LIMONENE (≤ 1%).
• LINALOOL (≤ 0.1%).
• GERANIAL (≤ 0.1%).
• EUGENOL (≤ 0.1%).

***Potential Allergens (naturally present in some essential oils) according to Annex III to EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

👃 Organoleptic Characteristics

• Appearance: Liquid.
• Colour: Pale yellow to red.
• Aroma: Sweet, phenolic and medicinal.

⚗️ Physicochemical Profile*

• Methyl salicylate: 95–99.9%.
• Ethyl salicylate: ≤ 1%.
• Density at 20°C: 1.175–1.190.
• Refractive index at 20°C: 1.530–1.550.
• Optical rotation at 20°C: −2° to −1°.
• Flash point: 94°C.

*From organic farming.

🌿 “Wintergreen” can refer to more than one plant. The botanical name tells you which species is in the bottle; the shared minty-sweet, medicinal aroma alone does not identify it.

Fragrant Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima) is the species used for this essential oil. Its leaves are sourced in Nepal and steam-distilled. The product’s stated methyl salicylate content is 95–99.9%, giving it the powerful, sweet wintergreen character associated with traditional massage blends.

Eastern Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), known in French as gaulthérie couchée, is a low-growing North American species. It is botanically distinct from fragrant wintergreen, even though oils from both species are associated with methyl salicylate and a recognisable wintergreen scent. Compare the species name and the composition stated for the particular bottle rather than treating the two as identical.

The familiar wintergreen fragrance has a long association with aromatic liniments and sports massage preparations. Today, this oil is used in carefully diluted after-exercise massage blends for its distinctive scent and warming feel, not as a substitute for medical care.

⚠️ Both the botanical identity and safe use matter: this methyl-salicylate-rich oil must be diluted before skin application. Do not ingest it or use it if you are allergic to aspirin or other salicylates, or while taking anticoagulants.

Fragrant Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima) is a leafy plant whose essential oil is steam-distilled from leaves sourced in Nepal. The result is an intensely sweet, medicinal aroma that many people recognise immediately as wintergreen.

The secret to that unmistakable scent is methyl salicylate, which makes up 95–99.9% of this oil. That unusually high concentration explains why even a small amount lends a massage blend such a pronounced wintergreen character.

🔬 A little chemistry fun fact: at the top end of that range, 99.9% means 999 parts out of every 1,000 are methyl salicylate. No wonder wintergreen has such a recognisable scent!

In a properly diluted blend, wintergreen is traditionally used for after-exercise massage on areas that feel sore or stiff. Its bold scent and noticeable warming sensation make it a distinctive choice when a gentle, neutral massage oil is not what you’re looking for.

A little goes a long way—and careful use matters just as much as its aroma. Always dilute before applying to skin, never ingest, and avoid wintergreen if you are allergic to aspirin or other salicylates or take anticoagulants.

• Store in its original closed packaging, away from light and high temperatures.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Packaging

• Amber glass bottle with dropper.

Regarding The Information Presented Here

The content of the Academy is written by advisors at Compagnie des Sens, based on available scientific literature. It is regularly reviewed and updated, and is intended for informational purposes only — it does not in any way replace medical advice.

Regulatory Status

• Cosmetic ingredient.

General Safety Guidelines

• Not recommended for children or pregnant/breastfeeding women.
• Seek medical advice before use, especially if undergoing drug treatment or living with a chronic condition (asthma, epilepsy, hormone-dependent conditions, etc.).
• Do not use for extended periods.
• Do not apply to or near mucous membranes (eyes, ears, nose, genitals, etc.).
• Dilute in a vegetable oil before any skin application.
• In case of irritation, discontinue use and consult a doctor.
• Avoid sun exposure after using photosensitising essential oils.
• Store in original closed packaging, away from light and heat. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Authorised Users

• ✅ Adults & Teens
• ✅ Children over 12 years old
• ❌ Children under 12 years old
• ⚠️ Pregnant & breastfeeding women (diluted only, under medical prescription)

Routes of Administration

• ✅ Topical (skin application, diluted)

Caution

Wintergreen essential oil has only one recommended route of administration: topical application. It remains irritating for sensitive skin, and is only authorised for use by adults and teenagers. Pregnant women may use it only when diluted and under medical prescription. People with epilepsy must seek medical advice before using this essential oil.

Medical Advice

• Pregnant women should only use this essential oil when diluted and under medical prescription.
• People with epilepsy must seek medical advice before use.
• Oral use should only be done under the guidance of a qualified therapist.

Topical Application

• 20–50% dilution for occasional use on a localised area.
• 10–20% dilution for prolonged use on a localised area.
• 5–10% dilution for prolonged use on a larger area, and for children aged 6 to 12.

Ingestion

Oral use of this essential oil should only be done under the guidance of a qualified therapist.

Contraindications

Wintergreen essential oil should not be used by people with blood clotting disorders or those on anticoagulant medication, nor by people allergic to salicylates (aspirin, for example, belongs to the salicylate family).

• People with eczema, acid reflux (GERD), asthma, an ulcer, a hiatal hernia, or a hemorrhage should not use this essential oil.
• Discontinue use before undergoing surgery.

Allergens***

Wintergreen essential oil contains very few allergenic biochemical components:

• Limonene (≤ 1%)
• Linalool (≤ 0.1%)
• Geranial (≤ 0.1%)
• Eugenol (≤ 0.1%)

💡 Patch test recommended before use: apply 1 drop diluted in a little vegetable oil to the inner elbow. Wait at least 20 minutes, ideally 24 hours, to check for any allergic reaction.

***Potential Allergens (naturally present in some essential oils) according to Annex III to EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

References

Scientific Publications

• Joshi, S., & Subedi, P. (2014). Phytochemical and Biological Studies on Essential Oil and Leaf Extracts of Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. Nepal Journal Of Science And Technology, 14(2), 59-64. doi: 10.3126/njst.v14i2.10416
• Liu, W., Qiao, W., Liu, Z., Wang, X., Jiang, R., & Li, S. et al. (2013). Gaultheria: Phytochemical and Pharmacological Characteristics. Molecules, 18(10), 12071-12108. doi: 10.3390/molecules181012071
• Michel, P., Dobrowolska, A., Kicel, A., Owczarek, A., Bazylko, A., & Granica, S. et al. (2014). Polyphenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Eastern Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens L.) Leaf Extracts. Molecules, 19(12), 20498-20520. doi: 10.3390/molecules191220498
• Pandey, B., Thapa, R., & Upreti, A. (2017). Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil and methanol extract of Artemisia vulgaris and Gaultheria fragrantissima collected from Nepal. Asian Pacific Journal Of Tropical Medicine, 10(10), 952-959. doi: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.09.005
• Ying, Z., Giachini, F., Tostes, R., & Webb, R. (2009). Salicylates dilate blood vessels through inhibiting PYK2-mediated RhoA/Rho-kinase activation. Cardiovascular Research, 83(1), 155-162. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvp084
• Lobstein, A., & Couic-Marinier, F. (2017). Huile essentielle de Gaulthérie. Actualités Pharmaceutiques, 56(563), 57-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpha.2016.11.032

Books

• Franchomme, P., Jollois, R., & Pénoël, D. (1990). L'aromathérapie exactement : encyclopédie de l'utilisation thérapeutique des huiles essentielles. R. Jollois.
• de la Charie, T. (2019). Se soigner par les huiles essentielles. Pourquoi et comment ça marche ? Editions du Rocher.
• Baudoux, D. (2008). L'aromathérapie: se soigner par les huiles essentielles. Editions Amyris.
• Zahalka, J. (2017). Dictionnaire complet d'aromathérapie. Editions du Dauphin.
• Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2013). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Elsevier.

Organic Certification (FR-BIO-01): Compagnie des Sens (FR) by LaPeNu

Technical Analysis: Fragrant Wintergreen by Compagnie des Sens & LaPeNu (FR)

Safety Analysis: Fragrant Wintergreen by Compagnie des Sens & LaPeNu (FR)

Cosmetic Allergens: Fragrant Wintergreen by Compagnie des Sens & LaPeNu (FR)

IFRA: Fragrant Wintergreen by Compagnie des Sens & LaPeNu (FR)

CPSR: Fragrant Wintergreen by Compagnie des Sens & LaPeNu (FR)