methyl salicylate

The methyl ester of salicylic acid, produced synthetically or distilled from Gaultheria procumbens (family Ericaceae) or from Betula lenta (family Betulaceae); used externally and internally for the treatment of various forms of rheumatism. SYN: checkerberry oil, gaultheria oil, sweet birch oil, wintergreen oil.

* * *

methyl salicylate n a liquid ester C₈H₈O₃ that is obtained from the leaves of a wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) or the bark of a birch (Betula lenta), but is usu. made synthetically, and that is used as a flavoring and as a counterirritant see BIRCH OIL, OIL OF WINTERGREEN

* * *

oil of wintergreen: a liquid with counterirritant and analgesic properties, applied to the skin to relieve pain in lumbago, sciatica, and rheumatic conditions.

* * *

[NF] a volatile oil with a characteristic wintergreen odor and taste; used as a counterirritant in ointments or liniments for muscle pain and also as a flavoring agent. Called also betula oil, gaultheria oil, sweet birch oil, and wintergreen oil.