Wintergreen is great for your muscles after a workout. It is a natural source of methyl salicylate. Methyl salicylate is used in topical creams and massage blends because of its soothing properties. The methyl salicylate used in topical creams are typically synthesized in a laboratory. In fact, Wintergreen and Birch are the only plants in the world that contain methyl salicylate naturally. When companies use methyl salicylate in their topical creams, they are missing other natural chemical components that is found in Wintergreen. Natural Wintergreen oil is 95%-99% methyl salicylate. Birch essential oil is also 99% methyl salicylate. Even though majority of Wintergreen and Birch essential oil is methyl salicylate, that <5% of other components make a difference in aroma and effect through synergism. There is also different components in Nepalese Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima) and Wintergreen from China (Gaultheria procumbens). Nepalese Wintergreen essential oil has a unique pink tint. It's qualities are similar to Birch essential oil. The Wintergreen you will find in the store is typically Wintergreen from China or "Oil of Wintergreen" which is synthetic methyl salicylate. doTERRA is one company that offers Nepalese Wintergreen. doTERRA does much more than offer this oil to essential oil enthusiasts. doTERRA gives back to the hardworking families that actually grow, harvest, and distill the oil in Nepal.

doTERRA helps Nepal through a program called co-impact sourcing. While majority of the essential oil companies work through brokers or "middle men," doTERRA works directly with the source. doTERRA pays farmers 4-7 more than they would typically receive from a broker or "middle man." They also pay farmers regularly. While it is normal practice to pay farmers only pay during harvesting seasons (in addition to paying low wages), this makes it difficult for families to survive. More often than not, farmers harvest and distill their crop prematurely, ultimately affecting essential oil quality negatively. By paying regularly and 4-7 times more than normal, doTERRA ensures the highest quality oil. In addition, doTERRA supports the surrounding community with schools, medical clinics, running water, and other needs. doTERRA found the best source for Wintergreen in the Dohlaka and Lamjung districts of Nepal. These were the same districts that were the epicenter of the major earthquakes in 2015. doTERRA launched a campaign asking it's wellness advocates to contribute to Nepal's relief efforts. The generosity of Wellness Advocates across the globe resulted in a total donation of $653,903. This money went into providing immediate food, water, shelter and other supplies such as tarp. Even though, the media doesn't cover Nepal, doTERRA continues relief efforts to this day through the Healing Hands Foundation. By purchasing Nepalese Wintergreen from doTERRA, you are supporting families in Nepal.