Other names include Canada tea, checker berry, deer berry, ground berry, hill berry, mountain tea, spice berry, wax cluster, box berry, and tea berry.

Pharmacology: When the freshly harvested plant is dry, the active chemical is methyl salicylate as the chief component. Oenanthic alcohol and its ester contribute to the odor of the volatile oils produced. The oil has a rubefacient effect.

Useful in the treatment of: It has been used as a carminative antiseptic aromatic anatomic. It has been used for neuralgia, dysmenorrhea, medium-stage pain from a number of conditions. In folk medicine, it was felt to be beneficial for asthma and as an antiseptic. It was felt to act as a uterine relaxant. It has been used externally for the treatment of pain, particularly in arthritis.

Dosage: This is seldom used today. The active ingredient is produced synthetically at lower cost and is a component of bath additives.

Contra-indications: While this can trigger allergic reaction, specific side effects with dosing are not recorded. Fatal poisoning with intact of the volatile oil and percutaneous administration have been reported. Overdosage can produce severe stomach and kidney irritation

References:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, First Edition, Medical Economics Company, Copyright 1998.