Essential oils are among the best and natural ways of taking good care of your skin. If you are one of the many people who love essential oils, then you must know that wintergreen oil is a must-have in the house. It is packed with powerful and remarkable therapeutic capabilities that can cure almost all ailments. It is a popular remedy for people with arthritis and joint problems as it alleviates the pain and inflammation with just a few rubs. Aside from herbal healing, it is also quite valued in the beauty industry. The oil is frequently used in acne reduction, wound healing and treating skin disorders due to fungal infections. Due to its amazing skin-boosting properties, it is used as an ingredient in beauty products such as skin creams, lotions, soaps and shampoos.
FOR SKIN CARE
Skin Firming
The oil works as an astringent when applied to the skin. It contracts skin and muscle tissues, adding firmness. It also lifts the skin, preventing sagging that can make you look older. With regular application of the oil, your face will be firmer, suppler and younger looking.
Wound Healing
Wintergreen oil also acts as an antiseptic that fights infection that causes sepsis. This will prevent the wound from being infected and becoming septic, allowing it to heal more quickly. However, it should not be applied directly to the wound, but only on the surrounding areas.
Acne Treatment
The oil is also a great remedy that combats acne, a common skin affliction. It cleanses the skin and kills bacteria, microbes and other harmful organisms that may thrive on it. This causes a more efficient treatment of acne.
HAIR CARE
Fights Dandruff
Applying wintergreen oil on your hair and scalp will prove very beneficial. It effectively removes dandruff and flakes on your scalp. Add a drop of the oil to your regular or anti-dandruff shampoo to boost its dandruff-fighting ability. It will also leave a cooling and rejuvenating sensation on your scalp.
Dosage of Wintergreen Oil
No appropriate dose has been determined for the use of wintergreen oil due to lack of scientific research. Being an essential oil, it has to be diluted in a base or carrier oil to reduce concentration. It can be blended with the following essential oils: narcissus, thyme, oregano, ylang-ylang and vanilla.
Benefits of Wintergreen Oil
Wintergreen oil is said to have analgesic, antirheumatic and antiarthritic, antispasmodic, antiseptic, aromatic, and astringent properties. It also acts as a carminative, diuretic, and emenagogue.
Here are some health benefits of wintergreen oil:
Analgesic: The physical properties of the oil allow it to be absorbed into the skin readily. Methyl salicylate induces numbness on the area where the oil is rubbed. This anaesthetic effect immediately relieves pain and promotes healing. It also induces warmth in the affected area and promotes increased blood flow to it, healing it naturally.
Anodyne: Wintergreen oil eliminates pain and immediately induces relaxation. You can use this oil to alleviate stress and promote relaxation. If you have a headache, or experience sleeplessness, you can rub the oil on your skin to alleviate the stress. If you have been losing sleep due to pain or stress, this is a very pleasant way of getting your sleep.
Anti-Arthritic: Wintergreen oil is very stimulating. If you experience pain and soreness in your joints due to arthritis or rheumatism, wintergreen oil can be really beneficial. Rubbing this oil on your joints helps relieve soreness. It stimulates flow of blood to the affected joints and removes any obstructions that may impede the flow of blood to it.
Anti-Spasmodic: The oil helps reduce spasms in the body, especially in the organs. The calming, relaxing and stimulating effects of the oil can improve respiratory, digestive, nervous and muscular systems. If you experience chest congestion, rubbing this oil on the chest can relieve it. It can also provide relief from breathing trouble and asthma. You can use it for spasmodic coughs and rub it on your body to relieve symptoms of muscular cramps. You can also use it for nervous conditions as well as convulsions.
Antiseptic: In small quantities, wintergreen oil is toxic to all kinds of microbes – viruses, bacteria and fungus. However, when taken in large concentrations, this oil can be fatal to humans as well. Wintergreen oil should not be consumed internally. Instead, just rub it on the afflicted area of your body. The oil is used when there is an infection that could potentially cause sepsis. Since the oil is toxic, do not let it come in contact with blood directly. Therefore, do not apply it to cuts, scrapes or open wounds. Since it is easily absorbed into the blood stream, it will easily spread into the blood stream.
Astringent: Wintergreen oil induces muscle contractions. Muscle contractions cause them to become firm. It lifts your skin, adds a glow to it and improves both its look and its texture. It induces contractions in blood vessels as well. This can prevent haemorrhaging. In cases of accidents, where there could be a risk of damaged blood vessels, wintergreen oil can prevent haemorrhaging. You can add a few drops of wintergreen oil to base oil such as olive oil and apply it to your scalp. This will strengthen your hair and improve the health of your scalp.
7. Pain relief – The most popular health benefit of wintergreen oil is its pain-relieving effects, which can help alleviate headache, muscle cramps, joint pain, tendonitis, and bone pain. Wintergreen oil also helps drive out stress and tension.
- Relief for rheumatism and arthritis – Wintergreen oil stimulates blood circulation around the affected tissues and muscles, helping clear blood obstructions, which is one of the major causes of these two conditions. It also reaches the bloodstream, where it helps stimulate and increase urination, speeding up the removal of uric acid and other toxins. This can reduce the effects of rheumatism.
- Helps prevent infections – Wintergreen oil can be fatal to bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus), protozoa, and fungi. However, it is not advisable to take the oil orally to fight infections in the internal organs, nor is it recommended to be used on open wounds.
- Promotes skin and hair health. Wintergreen oil is said to help tone the skin and prevent acne (if used in a very diluted form). It also prevents dandruff and tones the hair roots, which helps prevent hair fall.