gaultherIa

[Named after Gault her, a Canadian physician and botanist.] Bot.: A genus of Heath worts, family Andro med ide. The berries of Gaultheria procumbens, G. shallon, G. hispid a, and G. antipoda are eaten. A tincture of Gaultheria oil or oil of wintergreen, can be used as tea, and the fruit steeped in brandy produces bitters. ( Lindley.) gaultheria oil, s. Chem.: Oil of wintergreen, a volatile oil obtained by distilling with water the leaves of Gaultheria procumbens , an ericaceous plant growing in New Jersey and Canada. It is used for scenting soap. It consists of the methyl ether of salicylic acid, C6H4(OH) COOCH3, and a small quantity of terpene called Gaultherilene. It does not give a red color with nitric acid if pure.