Synonyms : Betula oil, Sweet birch oil, Oil of Wintergreen, Tea berry oil.
Biological Source : Gaultheria oil is obtined by distillation from the leaves of the Gaultheria procumbens Linn., family Ericaceae.
Geographical Source : The plant is found throughout the Eastern United States of America and Canada.
Cultivation and Processing : Gaultheria is a shrub like perennial with slender creeping subterranean stems and branches. It is an evergreen plant of 5 to 15 cm height, with white axillary flowers, and bright red globular aromatic berries.
The oil is also obtained from the birch bark i.e. the bark of the plant Betula lenta Linn., family Betulaceae.
In India, it is obtained from the leaves of Gaultheria fragratissima Wall, family Ericaceae found growing in Khasia hills, Western ghats, Nilgiris and near Travancore at an altitude of 1600 meters.
Description :
Colour : colourless or pale yellow liquid.
Odour : characteristic, aromatic and strong.
Taste : sweet, aromatic, pungent.
Solubility : slightly soluble in water, soluble in six parts of 70% alcohol.
Standards :
Specific gravity : 1.180-1.187
Optical rotation : 0 to -1'
Refractive Index : 1.537 - 1.539
Ester content : Not less than 98.0% w/v, calculated as methyl salicylate.
Chemical Constituents :
The drug yields about 1.5% of oil.
The oil contains more tha 98% of methyl selicylate, formed by the hydrolysis of glycoside in presence of water by the natuarlly occurring enzyme gaultherase. Additionally, the oil also contains an ester that splits into ethanolic alcohol and an acid.
Ethanolic alcohol (n-heptyl alcohol) and its ester show characteristic odour due to which natural gaultheria oil can be distinguished from synthetic methyl salicylate.
Chemical Tests
(1) To 5 ml oil, add 5.0% solution of vanillin in 90% alcohol, 2 ml alcohol and shake. A blood red colour is produced.
(2) Gaultheria oil is obtained from betula bark or from synthetic source are optically inactive, while natural oil is slightly laevo rotatory.
Uses :
Keep in well closed, well filled containers.
Biological Source : Gaultheria oil is obtined by distillation from the leaves of the Gaultheria procumbens Linn., family Ericaceae.
Geographical Source : The plant is found throughout the Eastern United States of America and Canada.
Cultivation and Processing : Gaultheria is a shrub like perennial with slender creeping subterranean stems and branches. It is an evergreen plant of 5 to 15 cm height, with white axillary flowers, and bright red globular aromatic berries.
The oil is also obtained from the birch bark i.e. the bark of the plant Betula lenta Linn., family Betulaceae.
In India, it is obtained from the leaves of Gaultheria fragratissima Wall, family Ericaceae found growing in Khasia hills, Western ghats, Nilgiris and near Travancore at an altitude of 1600 meters.
Description :
Colour : colourless or pale yellow liquid.
Odour : characteristic, aromatic and strong.
Taste : sweet, aromatic, pungent.
Solubility : slightly soluble in water, soluble in six parts of 70% alcohol.
Standards :
Specific gravity : 1.180-1.187
Optical rotation : 0 to -1'
Refractive Index : 1.537 - 1.539
Ester content : Not less than 98.0% w/v, calculated as methyl salicylate.
Chemical Constituents :
The drug yields about 1.5% of oil.
The oil contains more tha 98% of methyl selicylate, formed by the hydrolysis of glycoside in presence of water by the natuarlly occurring enzyme gaultherase. Additionally, the oil also contains an ester that splits into ethanolic alcohol and an acid.
Ethanolic alcohol (n-heptyl alcohol) and its ester show characteristic odour due to which natural gaultheria oil can be distinguished from synthetic methyl salicylate.
Chemical Tests
(1) To 5 ml oil, add 5.0% solution of vanillin in 90% alcohol, 2 ml alcohol and shake. A blood red colour is produced.
(2) Gaultheria oil is obtained from betula bark or from synthetic source are optically inactive, while natural oil is slightly laevo rotatory.
Uses :
- It is used as a counter-irritant and in the treatment of rhuematism. It is used as very effective vermicide against hook worms.
- Gaultheria oil can be used internally also.
- It is employed as a flavouring agent for candies and also in perfumery.
- It should be stored in well closed containers away from light and cool place.
Keep in well closed, well filled containers.
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