Myth #17: The essential oils of birch and wintergreen contain the compound methyl salicylate which is also found in aspirin.

The truth is that no essential oils contain anything found in aspirin. Aspirin is the chemical acetylsalicylic acid and has the structure shown below.

Structure of acetylsalicylic acid

Wintergreen and birch oils on the other hand contain about 99% methyl salicylate (see structure below) which has some structural similarities but is not the same chemical as aspirin and does not behave the same way.

Structure of methyl salicylate

Chemistry in biological systems is very specific, even molecules that are much more similar in structure than methyl salicylate and aspirin can have drastically different effects in the body. This is why it's so important to get the chemistry right when discussing and educating people about essential oils.

Dr. Robert Pappas is a chemist with more than two decades of experience in the essential oil industry. He has worked extensively with professionals from around the world, and focuses primarily on essential oil analysis and education, performing quality and purity testing for clients large and small. His opinions are widely respected in the essential oil industry. For a time, Dr. Pappas' relationships with growers prompted him to begin sales of essential oils to better serve the needs of his customers as they sought the best options for essential oil purchases. It was during this period of time that Welcome to Life! began. Although Dr. Pappas later sold the burgeoning business to his brother, we continue to provide our oils exclusively from from this source. We feel confident that the oils remain as pure and amazing as they were under Dr. Pappas, and are pleased to offer them to our clients.

Dr. Pappas continues to study, analyze, and educate about essential oils. With his permission, we reprint his Essential Oil Myths so you can know the truth among the lies in the essential oil industry. For further study and verification, please visit Dr. Pappas' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=essential%20oil%20university