PARTE UTILIZADA= Used part: Las hojas

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA= Pharmacological action: Antirreumatico

POSOLOGÍA= Posology: Uso externo, en forma de lilimentos o pomadas

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA= Chemical composition: Aceiote esencial llamado "esencial de wintergreen" (0,5-0,8%): gaulterina, desdoblable en salicilato de metilo y primaverósido. Ascidos-fenoles: salicílico, cafeico. Heterósidos hidroquinónicos: arbutósido. Taninos catéquicos.

ZONA GEOGRÁFICA= Geografical zone: Norte America

Ethnobotanical and general use
According to LOPEZ PALACIOS (1987), the plant is sold at herbolarios in Merida under the vernacular name laurel or albricias, in the form of branches. The plant has a strong aromatic smell of methyl salicylate. It is used in the form of a bath against rheumatic pain, backache and sciatic pain. Against rheumatism, equal parts of Gaultheria, Pimenta racemosa and Ambrosia cumanensis are put into 5 liters of hot water; a bath is taken in the morning and at night.

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Origin: Sterile woods and clearings, dry wooded areas; commonly found growing with rhododendron, mountain laurel, and other members of the heath family.

Uses: The plant is primarily a source of true wintergreen oil, which is used as a flavor, counterirritant, astringent, and carminative.
Toxicicity: Wintergreen oil is extremely toxic if consumed internally.

1) Fitoterapia: vademecum de prescripción. 4ª. ed. Barcelona: Masson, 2003, p.254

2) South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.

3) A guide to medicinal plants of Appalachia/ Krochmal, Arnold; Walter, Russel S.; Doughty, Richard M.: USA: U.S.D.A Forest Service:,1959