Kingdom Plantae – PlantsSubkingdom (Phylum) Tracheobionta – Vascular plantsSuperdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plantsDivision Magnoliophyta – Flowering plantsClass Magnoliopsida – DicotyledonsSubclass DilleniidaeOrder EricalesFamily Ericaceae – Heath familyGenus Gaultheria   L. – snowberrySpecies Gaultheria   procumbens   L. – eastern teaberry

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Medicinal Properties of Teaberry

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.

David Whiteside & Sherry Husain

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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 methyl salicylate. This chemical is closely related to aspirin and 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

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

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_teaberries.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