wintergreen

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherri

I'm surprised that essential oil of wintergreen is available in shops for the

public

to buy. Referring to my 'bible' (Essential Oil Safety by Tisserand and Balacs),

they say that half a ml (ie 10 drops!!) is equivalent to a dose of 21 aspirins.

Wintergreen is 98% methyl salicylate, the stuff aspirins are made from. Our

newbie

Hazel from Scotland can help us here as she's a pharmacist. It's been tested on

rodents of course, but is supposed to be more toxic in humans than mice. I quote

from this book " In the years 1926, 1928 and 1939-43, 427 deaths occurred in the

USA

from methyl salicylate poisoning " - and this isn't just taking large doses

orally,

although 4-8ml can kill a child. " Methyl salicylate can be absorbed

transdermally

in sufficient quantities to cause poisoning in humans. " So, sorry, Sherri, I

cannot

tell you what to do with it, other than pour it down the sink.

 

Looking at the list of oils that you have, it occurs to me that you might like

to

try some base notes like sandalwood, vetiver, and some flowers like geranium and

ylang ylang, and some spices like ginger and juniper.

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but have fun with the rest of your

collection.

Helen in Cape Town

[Guest guest]

This is one of the oils that is in Olbas Oil being 3.7%. I don't know what

its properties are but Olbas oil is very good for clearing a blocked head.

Regards

Karen