Striped Wintergreen

It may be winter in the northern hemisphere (at least some days), but there is still plenty to see if you go for a walk in the woods. Some plants may be easier to spot in winter than they are during the growing season, because they have less competition for light, and for your attention. Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) is one of those plants. Striped Wintergreen can be seen in woodlands, skimming just above the fallen leaves.

Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) in fruit

A clue that winter is the perfect time to look for this plant is found in the translation of its genus, ‘Chimaphila’, whose origins are the Greek words ‘cheima’, which means ‘winter’ and ‘phileo’, which translates as ‘to love’. Plants of this genus are named for their love of winter.

Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata)

Why do they love winter? Striped Wintergreen is an evergreen perennial of the forest understory, growing to a height of about 4 – 12 inches (10 – 30 cm). Somewhat woody at the base of the stem, botanists classify this species as a shrub or subshrub. Its green and white striped leaves make it easy to spot in the winter months when leaves have fallen from the deciduous trees and shrubs that tower over this diminutive plant. During the growing season, its taller neighbors often obscure Striped Wintergreen from view, as well as from the sun’s rays. But throughout winter, Striped Wintergreen’s evergreen leaves have unfettered access to the sun’s energy. They can photosynthesize, store the energy, and make it available to support Striped Wintergreen’s summertime reproductive efforts.

Striped Wintergreen is known by many other aliases (common names), including Spotted Wintergreen, Pipsissewa, and Rheumatism Root. Some of these names refer to the medicinal uses of this plant. Striped Wintergreen contains chemical compounds with antiseptic, antibacterial, and astringent properties, among others. One of the compounds, ursolic acid, is effective in treating arthritis and other causes of pain and inflammation. Striped Wintergreen and a close relative that is also called Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata) have been used to treat urinary tract infections and kidney stones. The name Pipsissewa is derived from a Creek Native American word that means ‘to break into small pieces’, referring to stones in the urinary tract.

Is it just lucky happenstance that Striped Wintergreen contains compounds that have beneficial medicinal effects for humans? Not completely. Striped Wintergreen faces some of the same pressures that humans do from bacteria, fungi and microbes, all of which are present in the thousands in the fallen leaves with which Striped Wintergreen lives, and that are working to break down the leaves until they become the next layer of nutrient-filled soil. Striped Wintergreen has evolved to produce chemical compounds to protect itself from this efficient recycling team surrounding it. What is lucky for us is that these chemical constituents also have a positive effect in human bodies.

Striped Wintergreen blooms in summer, usually sometime from June through August.

Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) in bloom. Fruit capsule from previous season is visible on the left.

When fully open, the flowers with their recurved petals resemble crowns, a possible explanation for another common name for this plant, Striped Prince’s Pine.

Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) flower. Notice its resemblance to a tiny crown.

Striped Wintergreen’s primary pollinators are Bumble Bees (Bombus species), but Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) may also be enticed by nectar to visit the flowers. If the bees help Striped Wintergreen successfully achieve pollination, the resulting fruit is visible throughout the winter. These dry fruit capsules look like tiny turbans, or miniature winter squash split open at the seams to release the seeds inside.

Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) fruit capsules.

The chemical compounds present in Striped Wintergreen, along with leathery, waxy-coated leaves, are generally effective in deterring herbivores. Deer don’t typically browse this plant, even though it’s one of only a few that are green in the winter. But the photo below shows that someone, probably a Leaf-cutter Bee (Megachile species), has figured out a way to use parts of the leaves. Leaf-cutter bees harvest regularly-shaped oval, circular or semi-circular pieces of leaves to construct cells in their nests.

Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) with semi-circles removed from the leaf edges, probably by a Leaf-cutter Bee.

Striped Wintergreen’s native range is the eastern third of the United States, north to a few locations in southern Ontario and Quebec provinces in Canada. It’s rare at the edges of its range, and is listed as endangered in Illinois, Maine, Ontario and Quebec, and exploitably vulnerable in New York state.

Experience some ‘Winter Love’ (another common name for Chimaphila maculata). Look for Striped Wintergreen in winter, and you’ll know where to find it during the summer months when it’s in bloom.

Leaves of the plant are used medicinally. The leaves of this plant are collected when the plant is in full bloom and then dried for healing purposes. It is used either in the form of tea or tincture (liquid extract). The fresh leaves can also be used for external purposes in the form of the poultice. Listed below are few of the health benefits.

1. Rheumatism and Gout

Poultice made from leaves has been used to deal with painful conditions of the joints or bones. Conditions like rheumatism, arthritis and gout can all be treated efficiently by applying the herb directly to the affected area of the body. The herb also has mild pain killing properties when applied directly to the skin. To treat joint pain and inflammation, you can rub the leaves directly into your skin or make a poultice with the leaves. The leaves should not be taken internally.

2. Alleviating Kidney Complaints and Urinary Tract Infections

This is quite relevant as the long term use of this herbal remedy has been scientifically proven to help in treating edema. Further it even dissolves kidney stones (by breaking them into small pieces).

3. Addressing Respiratory Issues

Respiratory issues are quite widespread during the cold season. This should not bother anymore. Because the unusually named yet bitter herb can be taken internally to address common respiratory problems. Drinking this potent natural herbal remedy helps to treat the common respiratory ailments. These include chest congestion, bronchitis, colds, sinus infections, and whooping cough.

4. To relax the mind

Drinking wintergreen tea may help relax your mind and calm down during periods of moderate stress. Though there is no scientific evidence of its effects on stress, many teas have a calming effect on people and according to anecdotal evidence; wintergreen may help relax the mind effectively.

5. Preventing Oxidation

Oxidation is a harmful process that occurs in the human body. This process damages cell membranes among other important structures that maintain optimum body health. Thus, can result in the production of potentially harmful molecules.

These molecules cause various chronic diseases, damage body tissues and even cause aging. This can, yet be easily prevented by drinking wintergreen herbal tea which contains potent antioxidant compounds that work effectively to combat and even neutralize these free radicals.

6. Treating Fever

Fever, which is also known as, elevated temperature, Pyrexia or Hyperthermia is another medical condition that you can manage or even alleviated using this herbal remedy.

According to recent scientific findings, Wintergreen herb consists of unique diuretic properties that are quite useful in promoting sweating. This alone plays a major role in breaking a fever. Wintergreen is quite effective in managing fever. It is even used to treat most common fever diseases including typhoid.

7. Managing common Inflammatory Conditions

Wintergreen herb consists of various anti-inflammatory compounds. These works together to help alleviate the common health issues which is caused primarily by inflammation. This is the reason why the potent herbal remedy is often topically applied. This helps to alleviate joint and muscle pain that is associated with rheumatism.

This herb can also be topically applied to alleviate skin sores, swelling, and even blisters. There are also some scientific findings that indicate that the herb can also manage and even treat both arthritis and gout.

Traditional uses and benefits of Wintereen

Wintergreen was much used by many tribes of native North American Indians to induce sweating and treat fevers, including typhus.
Plant consists of hydroquinones which have a pronounced disinfectant effect within the urinary tract and modern day herbalism mainly employs the plant to treat urinary problems such as cystitis and urethritis.
Whole plant is alterative, antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant and tonic.
An infusion is used in the treatment of various problems related to the urinary system; it is also recommended for more serious conditions such as kidney stones and gonorrhea.
Decoction is very effective in the treatment of skin diseases.
Fresh leaves are rubefacient and internally they are of great use in cardiac and kidney diseases, chronic rheumatism and scrofula.
Plant consists of glycosides and an essential oil that are used as an astringent and tonic.
Homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves.
It is used in the treatment of inflammations of the urinary system.
Fresh leaves, when bruised and applied to the skin, act as vesicants and rubefacients, of great use in cardiac and kidney diseases, chronic rheumatism and scrofula.
Decoction is advantageous for chronic gonorrhea, strangury, catarrh of the bladder, and a good cure for ascites.
It is said to reduce lithic acid in the urine.
It is very effective for skin diseases.
Herbal teas are consumed for a variety of health problems, especially as a tonic and diuretic medication for rheumatism, kidney and bladder ailments.
It was widely used by herbal practitioners in North America as a safe and reliable antiseptic and antibacterial agent for treatment of cystitis, painful urination, bladder and kidney stones, kidney inflammation, prostatitis, gonorrhea and other ailments.
The herb helps the body to get rid of excess fluid and waste products by increasing urinary flow and improve liver function.
Drinking tea made from Wintergreen may be effective as a remedy for rheumatism, arthritis and gout.
Animal studies have shown that extracts of the herb also have the ability to lower high blood glucose values.
North American Indians used the plant to increase sweating, to treat fever diseases (like typhoid) and as fevers reduce agent.
They also used it for painful menstruation and tuberculosis of the lymph glands of the neck.
It has been used internally as a tea to treat ailments of the respiratory tract like colds, whooping cough and bronchitis.
It was used as a remedy for lack of appetite and poor digestion.
An extract of Wintergreen was used as an astringent eye wash for sore eyes.
Extracts of the fresh leaves can be used as a wash or wet compresses on the blisters, tumors, ulcers, and swelling.
Fresh plant material can be placed directly on the skin as a painkiller for rheumatism in the joints and muscles.
Due to the content of tannins, it can reduce the absorption of some medication in the intestine and therefore the herb should be taken few hours before or after any medication.
People with iron deficiency and generally poor nutrient absorption should avoid this herb.
Women have used it to help deal with the unwanted symptoms of menstruation and also to regulate their menstrual cycle.
Some Plateau Indian tribes used a boil of prince’s pine to treat tuberculosis.
When combined with mullein it relieved bedwetting in children.
It has been reported that the Wasco people of Oregon used whole plant decoctions to treat tubercular infections.
When consumed regularly it was said to cure cancers.
It was taken as a diuretic for stranguary, dropsy and other kidney disorders.

Culinary uses

Leaves are nibbled, brewed into a tea or used as a flavoring in root beer.
An extract of the leaves is used to flavor candy and soft drinks.
Herb is used in the preparation of ‘navaitai’, an alcoholic beverage produced from sprouted maize in Mexico.
Tea can be made from an infusion of the stems and roots.
Wintergreen extract is sometimes used to flavor food and beverages.
It is used as a flavoring in candy and soft drinks.

Applications and Dosages

It can be used in various forms such as in a form of tea, as a homeopathic medicine, in the form of culinary, as well as herbal medicine.

Tea

Wintergreen tea has a bitter but pleasant taste. It comes with many benefits. In a cup, put a teaspoon of the Wintergreen herbs. Put boiling water in the cup. Let the herb soak in the boiling water for a couple of minutes, then strain the water. Drink it. You can also add milk or honey for enhancing the taste.

Homeopathic Use

It is also used in the homeopathic form for treating severe inflammation of the prostate and mammary glands as well as urinary tracts.

Herbal Medicine

Wintergreen is generally found in capsule form. But, when consumed internally in the herb form, it helps in treating edema, kidney related problems, regulating menstruation. It also helps in treating various skin conditions from the external application.

Culinary Form

It is also used in giving flavor to beer and candy. Now, for dosages. If using in:

Tea Form

Use 1 teaspoon of the herb. Soak it in a cup of boiling water, then strain the leaves.

Tincture Form

Use a couple of drops.

How to make Wintergreen tea

To make a medicinal tea with Wintergreen , simply follow these very easy steps.

Take a teaspoon of dried and crushed Wintergreenleaves and place in a cup of boiled water.
Allow the leaves to steep for at least 15 minutes.
When the liquid is sufficiently cool, strain the leaves.
Add honey to taste if necessary and drink up.
You can safely drink two cups of this tea each day.

Other Facts

Plant’s stoloniferous root system, and dwarf spreading habit make it a god ground cover, though it is a difficult plant to establish and grow well.
Plant is used in perfumery because of its delicate scent.
Leaves have has also been used as a tobacco substitute.
Wintergreencan give urine a green color, but it is not dangerous.
It is also used for a preparation of root beer.

Precautions

Large dosages may cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Not suitable for long term use.
Reduces mineral absorption from gut.
Excess use may cause irritation in the gastrointestinal tract.
Prolonged use may cause side effects such as ringing in the ears, vomiting, confusion, and seizures.
Plant can cause contact allergy and rash in some people.
There is insufficient data regarding the safety of Wintergreenin pregnant and breast feeding women. It should probably be avoided unless you are told otherwise by a qualified herbalist or doctor.
Excessive external application may produce redness, irritation, or blisters on your skin.

Always consult your physician on the risks before trying

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=23769#null

https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/57871/

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Chimaphila+umbellata

https://www.cabi.org/ISC/datasheet/113253

https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/pipsis41.html

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CHUM

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2718281

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimaphila_umbellata

https://www.frostburg.edu/fsu/assets/File/ACES/chimaphila%20umbellata%20-%20final.pdf

http://wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-wildflowers-pipsissewa-chimaphila-umbellata.html

https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/HerbHunters/pipsissewa.html