Gaultheria procumbens - Wintergreen
"CONSTITUENTS: Volatile oil, tannin, gallic acid, arbutin, urson, ericolin, sugar, gum.
PREPARATIONS: Specific Gaultheria. Dose: from five to thirty minims.
Therapy: It is of benefit in neuralgia, tic douloureux, gonorrheal rheumatism, inflammation of the bladder, irritation of the prostate gland, dysuria, sexual excitement in male or female, spermatorrhea without impotency, acute articular rheumatism, migraine, sciatica, diabetes, diphtheria, chronic mucous discharges and toothache (locally). A liniment of the oil is useful in allaying the pain of rheumatism.
Asthmatic breathing of a non-paroxysmal character is relieved by this remedy, as is asthmatic cough, and cough characterized by constriction or tightness at the supra-sternal notch. In the cough of asthmatic bronchitis, or in dry, harsh, persistent bronchial or phthisical cough, this agent acts nicely.
It is a serviceable remedy in hepatic congestion, and in congestion of the glandular structures of the entire gastro-intestinal tract. Its influence over the portal circulation is most pronounced.
In ovarian conditions inducing too frequent menstruation, with congestion of the pelvic circulation, in addition to the conditions above named, as in enlargement of the uterus, with a swollen, engorged condition of the cervix, it is directly useful.
The oil is now freely used externally in the treatment of articular rheumatism and also in chorea with excellent results. In the latter disorder it is applied, if necessary, over the upper and lower limbs, alternately, and over the spine. It may be given internally at the same time. The application may be confined with oiled silk.
An ointment made of ichthyol and the oil of gaultheria in a proper vehicle, rubbed together thoroughly, makes an excellent application to the joints in acute, and in gonorrheal rheumatism. It acts equally well on the original disease. Six drops of the oil is given three times a clay, and this will cure many cases. If given in conjunction with gelsemium and cimicifuga in the first stages, it will probably shorten or even abort the disease."
(Finley Ellingwood: The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1915)