Methyl Salicylate

Methyl salicylate sometimes called as wintergreen oil which is a sweet smelling member of the aspirin family is one of the most widely used as counterirritant. Methyl salicylate is the ester of salicylic acid in which the acidic carboxylate moiety is methylated but the phenolic hydroxyl is unchanged.Methyl salicylate is very similar in structure to salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is found in copious amounts in the bark of willow bark that could ease aches and reduce fever.Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen or wintergreen oil) is an organic ester naturally produced by many species of plants, particularly wintergreens. The compound was first extracted and isolated from plant species . It can be manufactured synthetically and it used as a fragrance, in foods, beverages, and liniments. It forms a colorless to yellow or reddish liquid and exhibits a characteristic odor and taste of wintergreen. For acute joint and muscular pain, methyl salicylate is used as a rubefacient and analgesic in deep heating liniments. It is used as a flavoring agent in chewing gums and mints in small concentrations and added as antiseptic in mouthwash solutions.For acute joint and muscular pain, methyl salicylate is used as a rubefacient and analgesic in deep heating liniments. It is used as a flavoring agent in chewing gums and mints in small concentrations and added as antiseptic in mouthwash solutions.