This section is from the book "Practical Materia Medica And Prescription Writing", by Oscar W. Bethea. Also available from Amazon: Practical Materia Medica and Prescription Writing.
Eng., Methyl Salicylate. Synonyms, Oleum Gaultheriae, Oil of Gaultheria, Oil of Wintergreen, Oleum Betulae, Oil of Sweet Birch, Oil of Teaberry. It is produced synthetically or is obtained by distillation from Gaultheria procumbent or from Betula lenta. The label must indicate whether the methyl salicylate has been made synthetically or distilled from either of the above-mentiond plants.
A colorless, yellowish or reddish liquid.
The characteristic odor and taste of Gaultheria.
Sparingly soluble in water, freely miscible with alcohol.
12 minims (0.75 mil).
Antipyretic, antirheumatic, antiseptic.
Sometimes used internally in place of salicylic acid or the mineral salts, but has many disadvantages, as taste, odor, liquid form, etc., and possesses no marked advantages.
Sometimes used in local applications in conjunction with the internal administration of other salicylates.
 
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