...Wintergreen oil is 98% methyl salicylate. 1 mL of wintergreen oil is equivalent to 1.4 g of aspirin; therefore, 5 mL of wintergreen oil is equivalent to approximately 7 g of aspirin (which is the equivalent of 21.5 aspirin [325 mg] tablets). Even small doses of oral wintergreen oil may cause toxicity.
Thanks! I am actually working on a post that focuses on the toxicity aspect and the accumulative risk from medications, topical treatments with mint, [note to self, throw away the mint chapstick that you are using], mint essential oil or frequent use of tea or mints, and all the other dietary sources.
The more I read, the more I am understanding my weird symptoms. It even explains the tendency to throw up in the morning if I ate a lot the night before. It tends to be salicylate foods that I eat a lot of. I will have to make some changes.
In your last Substack article on salicylates and guaifenesin did you say that meat and dairy were low in salicylates??? I don’t see you talking much about them only all the problem of finding vegetarian foods that are low in salicylates so I take it you are or mostly vegetarian. Just throwing this out there in trying to help in some way... but I have seen where people have gone to mostly red meat diets and been cured of a lot of what ails them from eating everything else. Not sure that is in any way an option for you and don’t mean to insult you by suggesting it if you are vehemently opposed to eating meat or animals, I just hate it that you have these health issues that seem to cause you so much discomfort and distress! I really do enjoy your work and you remain in my thoughts and prayers in all you do.
Thanks. Somewhere in many posts I have mentioned that I had to go animal product free because I seemed to develop an autoimmune molecular mimicry problem against albumin. AND albumin is in plasma and seems to be across the animal and fish and scallops kingdoms of life. There is even plant versions of albumin in ginger, hemp kernels, and wheat. I have added real fish oil source for omega 3 as plant sources seemed inadequate for my skin health.
I whine, but, really I would rather find out what is causing me discomfort and avoid it than not know and stay in discomfort.
In sharing the salicylate info I hope to help inform more people who are sensitive to it but may be unaware as medical people rarely talk about diet, but also point out to everyone else that these foods are good things to include more of in your diet.
I am not vegan per se, I have to restrict more things than a vegan diet excludes. My trying to survive on it has made me realize that the popular push of 'Vegan Diet' is literally dangerous to health. It is really easy to not get any of a few nutrients and it is hard to get enough protein without excess carbs. I have increased my use of tofu compared to in my past. I had been eating more nuts but the oxalate load in those can be bad. Pecans are okay for me and blanched almonds or hazelnuts. I'm surviving, thanks for your concern.
I've thought about trying some meat again, but even just a spoon of ghee led me to feel congested. Autoimmune issues are better to not mess with. It takes 6 months of really strict avoidance to get a flair up of antibodies calmed down again - based on gluten and celiac research.
Your post reminded me to check out the salicylate content of wintergreen essential oil, and boy, it's a doozy.
Added to peppermint oil it exhibits synergistic effects too.
Wintergreen
Scientific Name(s): Gaultheria procumbens L.
Common Name(s): Boxberry, Canada tea, Checkerberry, Deerberry, Gaultheria oil, Mountain tea, Partridgeberry, Teaberry, Wintergreen
...Wintergreen oil is 98% methyl salicylate. 1 mL of wintergreen oil is equivalent to 1.4 g of aspirin; therefore, 5 mL of wintergreen oil is equivalent to approximately 7 g of aspirin (which is the equivalent of 21.5 aspirin [325 mg] tablets). Even small doses of oral wintergreen oil may cause toxicity.
https://www.drugs.com/npp/wintergreen.html#:~:text=Wintergreen%20oil%20is%2098%25%20methyl,%5B325%20mg%5D%20tablets).
Thanks! I am actually working on a post that focuses on the toxicity aspect and the accumulative risk from medications, topical treatments with mint, [note to self, throw away the mint chapstick that you are using], mint essential oil or frequent use of tea or mints, and all the other dietary sources.
The more I read, the more I am understanding my weird symptoms. It even explains the tendency to throw up in the morning if I ate a lot the night before. It tends to be salicylate foods that I eat a lot of. I will have to make some changes.
I've got wintergreen essential oil, blended it down well but will certainly handle with care, especially with my love of curries!
Therapeutic foods, we need to be careful just like any drug 🤔
Yes, I was just thinking that. Pomegranate peel is so potent, it needs medical caution. And many herbs and spices are close to that.
I do enjoy the information you post.
your efforts are much appreciated.
many of your articles, like this one, end up bookmarked in my medtech folder for future reference if needed
In your last Substack article on salicylates and guaifenesin did you say that meat and dairy were low in salicylates??? I don’t see you talking much about them only all the problem of finding vegetarian foods that are low in salicylates so I take it you are or mostly vegetarian. Just throwing this out there in trying to help in some way... but I have seen where people have gone to mostly red meat diets and been cured of a lot of what ails them from eating everything else. Not sure that is in any way an option for you and don’t mean to insult you by suggesting it if you are vehemently opposed to eating meat or animals, I just hate it that you have these health issues that seem to cause you so much discomfort and distress! I really do enjoy your work and you remain in my thoughts and prayers in all you do.
Thanks. Somewhere in many posts I have mentioned that I had to go animal product free because I seemed to develop an autoimmune molecular mimicry problem against albumin. AND albumin is in plasma and seems to be across the animal and fish and scallops kingdoms of life. There is even plant versions of albumin in ginger, hemp kernels, and wheat. I have added real fish oil source for omega 3 as plant sources seemed inadequate for my skin health.
I whine, but, really I would rather find out what is causing me discomfort and avoid it than not know and stay in discomfort.
In sharing the salicylate info I hope to help inform more people who are sensitive to it but may be unaware as medical people rarely talk about diet, but also point out to everyone else that these foods are good things to include more of in your diet.
I am not vegan per se, I have to restrict more things than a vegan diet excludes. My trying to survive on it has made me realize that the popular push of 'Vegan Diet' is literally dangerous to health. It is really easy to not get any of a few nutrients and it is hard to get enough protein without excess carbs. I have increased my use of tofu compared to in my past. I had been eating more nuts but the oxalate load in those can be bad. Pecans are okay for me and blanched almonds or hazelnuts. I'm surviving, thanks for your concern.
I've thought about trying some meat again, but even just a spoon of ghee led me to feel congested. Autoimmune issues are better to not mess with. It takes 6 months of really strict avoidance to get a flair up of antibodies calmed down again - based on gluten and celiac research.