Gaultheria procumbens
Gaultheria procumbens, commonly known as wintergreen, is a perennial evergreen shrub native to North America. Renowned for its aromatic leaves and sweet berries, it contains methyl salicylate, a natural precursor to aspirin. This potent plant is widely utilized in traditional medicine and modern topical analgesics to relieve pain.
- Scientific name: Gaultheria procumbens
- Family: Ericaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Ericales and the family Ericaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Gaultheria.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Ericaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Gaultheria | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several northern regions. In Europe, its presence can be noted within the territory of Great Britain. Moving across the Atlantic, it is found throughout Western Canada, specifically in Manitoba. The species also populates much of Eastern Canada, including the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Finally, its range extends to the island of Newfoundland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Western Canada | Manitoba | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | New Brunswick | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Newfoundland | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Nova Scotia | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Ontario | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Prince Edward I. | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Québec | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Illinois | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Minnesota | WCVP |
Chemicals
Gaultheria procumbens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include methyl salicylate.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| methyl salicylate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Gaultheria procumbens has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anthelmintics, fever, infection, inflammation, influenza.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthelmintics | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| influenza | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatic diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |