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Wintergreen Poison

Wintergreen essential oil is a therapeutic pain reliever for muscles and joints, but is poisonous if ingested. Many household products contain oil of wintergreen, which should be kept out of reach of children.

  1. Definition

    • Oil of wintergreen, also known as methyl salicylate, is a wintergreen scented chemical found in many over-the-counter treatments for arthritis, rheumatism and gout.

    Products

    • Poisonous wintergreen oil can be found in heating creams including Icy Hot and Ben Gay as well as vaporizers. It can also be purchased as a solution.

    Symptoms

    • According to Drexel University College of Medicine, symptoms of wintergreen poisoning include eye irritation, loss of vision, ringing in the ears, throat swelling, nausea and vomiting, convulsions, kidney failure, troubled breathing, dizziness, drowsiness and fever.

    Treatment

    • Unless specifically instructed to do so, do not induce vomiting if wintergreen oil is ingested. Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately or 9-1-1.

    Warning

    • Do not use wintergreen oil in aromatherapy, and avoid excessive use of rubs that contain methyl salicylate. Too much absorption of wintergreen oil in both these forms can be enough to poison the body.

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