An evergreen shrub growing up to 1m. Leaves alternate, simple, evergreen, oval to elliptical, 1 to 2 inches long, minutely serrated, thickened with a wintergreen odor when crushed, leaves appear whorled since they cluster at tips of plant; dark shiny green above, much paler below often with black dots. Flowers monoecious; small (1/4 inch), white, urn-shaped, hanging from short stems from leaf axils, appearing in mid to late summer. Fruit red, round, 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter, hanging beneath the leaves, mild wintergreen taste, ripen in late summer and persist into winter.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic (leaf and its oil).

Plants For A Future

Arbutin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, gaultherin, methyl salicylate, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, syringic acid, tannic acid, tannin, vanillic acid (leaf); gallic acid (plant).

The plant, especially in the form of the essential oil, is most useful when applied externally in the treatment of acute cases of rheumatism, sciatica, myalgia, sprains, neuralgia and catarrh. The oil is sometimes used in the treatment of cellulitis, a bacterial infection that causes the skin to become inflamed. An infusion of the leaves is used to relieve flatulence and colic.

Should not be prescribed for patients who are hypersensitive to salicylates (aspirin) and lactating mothers.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 788-789, CRC Press July 2002.