Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima) essential oil has an easily recognized, sweet, mint-like aroma. It is a fantastic oil for massage blends and diffusions.
 
Aura Cacia Wintergreen Essential Oil typically comes from the foothills of Nepal. It grows to about 8 feet in height at high altitudes. It’s generally found in mixed forests as an understory shrub. The young tips from which the oil is distilled are harvested annually over several months.
 
The North American species is a short plant that’s extremely difficult to harvest in large quantities. This led to a search for more productive species and, by the late 1990s, two other species were produced in China and Nepal. These species are robust, easily harvested shrubs that regrow in time for the next season's harvest.
 
(Please note: Care is advised when using wintergreen essential oil. It is toxic when taken internally, and should always be stored in a safe place where children cannot reach it.)