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Eatern teaberry
1. Medicinal Properties of Teaberry
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom (Phylum) Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass Dilleniidae
Order Ericales
Family Ericaceae – Heath family
Genus Gaultheria L. – snowberry
Species Gaultheria procumbens L. – eastern teaberry
[1]
The chart above is the taxonomical
classification of the eastern teaberry
[1]. The teaberry is native to North
America, and usually resides in dry
coniferous forests, on acid soil [2]. It
is commonly found in the eastern
region of North America, giving it
the name of the eastern teaberry [1].
The plant most likely gets the name
from the pleasant tasting berries
resulting from the flowering of the
plant, coupled with the aromatic and
herbal leaves, which are used for tea.
Below is a picture of the plant [4].
The eastern teaberry is in the
category of wintergreen plants.
QuickTimeª and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
David Whiteside & Sherry Husain
2. Medicinal Properties of Teaberry
The eastern teaberry is part of a group of plants called “wintergreens”. This term
was commonly used for the plants abilities to continue photosynthesis (stay green)
throughout the winter. Wintergreens are used for many uses. Most uses of the plant is
used for flavoring n chewing gums and other such candies, along with being used as an
aroma aid (used to add smell to various things). The only other use that is common is the
medicinal use in the essential oils of the plant. The plant was recognized for its medicinal
properties by native American’s, and has been refines to be synthesized in today’s
medicine.
The eastern teaberry has had a long history of medicinal use. Early North Americans
chewed the leaves of the wintergreen plant for the distinct flavor, used them in the
treatment of aches and pains, and to aid in breathing during hard work. French explorers
used wintergreen leaves in teas, thus leading to the term ‘Thé du Canada’. During the
war of independence, wintergreen leaves served as a replacement
for Chinese tea. Common doctors also used the wintergreen to
relieve minor ailments such as muscle soreness and fatigue [7].
The teaberry’s active ingredient for its medicinal purposes is
decompressor
methyl salicylate. This chemical is closely related to aspirin and
QuickTimeª and a
are needed to see this picture.
has many effects similar to aspirin and common anti-
inflammatory drugs. Because of this, the teaberry is often used to
treat symptoms of pain varying from headaches, to very serious
pain (often used externally to treat rheumatism) [5]. In today’s
medicine, the eastern teaberry’s main chemical is often used in
muscle pain rubs. An example of this is A535 rubs. The chemical is often used as a
counter-irritant to reduce pain in the afflicted area, Studies have been done, and the
results yielded show that this type of muscle relaxant is much more efficient when used
for minor irritations compared to chronic pain.
The teaberry itself can be applied in a variety of ways to ensure the medicinal
properties are carried through. This includes: making a tea from the leaves, eating the
leaves, eating the berries (alone or in other forms), and distilling the essential oil from the
leaves [3]. The teaberry leaves and oils are analgesic, aromatic, diuretic,
astringent(causes contractions of soft tissue), carminative(relieves abdominal pain or
distension by expelling gas), and tonic [5,3]. The oil is most commonly used when
applied externally to the site of aggravation, while the leaves are most often used to make
tea. While the oil is very useful, if ingested in large quantities, it has proven to be
extremely toxic, to the point of being fatal. The side effects of external application
include: stinging or burning, blistering, swelling, and severe redness at application site.
Allergic reactions include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of throat), sever dizziness,
and trouble breathing. The future use of the eastern teaberry is bleak, because methyl
salicylate is very easy to synthesize now, and the growth of the eastern teaberry is too
hard to control.
David Whiteside & Sherry Husain
3. Medicinal Properties of Teaberry
References
[1] PLANTS Profile for Gaultheria procumbens (eastern teaberry) | USDA
PLANTS. (n.d.). Welcome to the PLANTS Database | USDA PLANTS. Retrieved
June 20, 2012, from http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=gapr2
[2] Ames, D. (n.d.). Medicinal Plant Traditional Uses. Native Orchid Conservation
Inc. Retrieved June 20, 2012, from
http://www.nativeorchid.org/dorisMedicinalPlantTraditionalUses.htm
[3] Eastern Teaberry « Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants. (n.d.). Wild Edible and
Medicinal Plants. Retrieved June 20, 2012, from
http://keys2liberty.wordpress.com/tag/eastern-teaberry/
[4] Picture of eastern Teaberry. (n.d.). Blogspot. Retrieved June 16, 2012, from
2.bp.blogspot.com/_G_d-
t9YiCzM/TNxLWcUWFsI/AAAAAAAADa4/6sDSK7Nc3Ck/s1600/saw_mill_teaber
ries.JPG
5] support, y. c., & activities, e. o. (n.d.). Gaultheria procumbens
Checkerberry PFAF Plant Database. Untitled Page. Retrieved June 20, 2012,
from http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Gaultheria+procumbens
6] methylsalicylate/menthol. (n.d.). MedicineNet. Retrieved June 16, 2012, from
www.medicinenet.com/methyl_salicylate_and_menthol-topical/article.htm
[7] Healthy Ingredients: Wintergreen. (n.d.). American Botanical Council: Herbal
Library. Retrieved June 20, 2012, from
http://cms.herbalgram.org/healthyingredients/Wintergreen.html
David Whiteside & Sherry Husain