Methyl Salicylate CAS 119-36-8 | Wintergreen Oil | USP Grade

• Methyl Salicylate (common name: Wintergreen Oil, CAS 119-36-8) is a natural organic ester compound found in wintergreen leaves and birch bark. It appears as a colorless to pale yellow oily liquid with characteristic wintergreen leaf aroma.
  
  
• As the core active ingredient of topical analgesics, it exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX), widely used in joint and muscle pain relief ointments, topical liniments and medicated oils. It is also a classic flavor raw material for toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum, candies and beverages. Additionally, it serves as solvent and intermediate for insecticides, polishes, inks and coatings.
  
  
• As a direct source manufacturer, we supply ≥99% high-purity methyl salicylate compliant with USP/BP/EP pharmacopoeia standards, with guaranteed stable bulk supply capacity.

1. Pharmaceutical & Topical Analgesic Preparations (Core Application)

Methyl salicylate is one of the most classic active ingredients in topical analgesic products, delivering anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects:

Joint & muscle pain relief ointments/patches: Relieves rheumatoid arthritis, back pain and muscle soreness

Medicated liniments & oils: Core ingredient of household topical analgesic preparations

Mechanism of action: Inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) to reduce prostaglandin production, exerting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects; acts as a counterirritant, distracting deep pain via surface hot/cold sensation

Recommended concentration: 10% – 30% in topical analgesic products

Regulatory approval: Compliant with USP/BP/EP pharmacopoeia standards, approved as pharmaceutical active ingredient

2. Daily Chemical & Fragrance Industry

Methyl salicylate is one of the most classic flavor raw materials in daily chemical products:

Oral care products: Flavoring agent and breath freshener for toothpaste, mouthwash and tooth powder

Personal care products: Fragrance ingredient for talcum powder, skincare products and soaps

Perfumes & fragrances: Modifier for floral fragrances including ylang-ylang, magnolia and gardenia

Recommended dosage: Maximum safe concentration 2.52% in toothpaste (EU SCCS assessment)

3. Food & Beverage Industry

Methyl salicylate is a classic food grade flavoring agent:

Candy & chewing gum: Core flavoring ingredient for wintergreen flavor products

Beverages & beer: Flavor modifier for strawberry, grape and spearmint flavors

Regulatory status: US FEMA No. 2745, FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe); compliant with China GB 28355-2012 food flavor standard

4. Industrial Applications

Pesticides & fungicides: Active ingredient or intermediate for agrochemicals

Solvents & intermediates: Used in the production of polishes, coatings, inks and fiber dyeing auxiliaries

UV absorber: Used as UV absorber in sun care products

Q1: What is Methyl Salicylate, and what is its common industry name?

A: Methyl Salicylate (common name: Wintergreen Oil, CAS 119-36-8, EINECS 204-317-7) is a natural organic ester compound found in wintergreen leaves and birch bark. It appears as a colorless to pale yellow oily liquid with characteristic wintergreen leaf aroma, and is widely used as both a pharmaceutical analgesic active ingredient and a flavor/fragrance raw material.

Q2: How does Methyl Salicylate produce anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect?

A: Methyl Salicylate exerts analgesic effect via two targeted mechanisms:

Anti-inflammatory mechanism: Inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, reduces prostaglandin production to relieve inflammation and pain

Counterirritant mechanism: Produces surface hot/cold sensation to distract deep pain signals, widely used in topical pain relief products for arthritis, muscle soreness and back pain

Q3: What is the recommended usage concentration of Methyl Salicylate in different formulations?

A: The standard recommended concentration varies by application:

Topical analgesic products: 10% – 30%

Toothpaste & oral care: Maximum 2.52% (EU SCCS safety limit)

Food & beverage: 0.001% – 0.01% as flavoring agent

Fragrance & personal care: 0.1% – 5% as fragrance ingredient

Q4: Is Methyl Salicylate compliant with global regulatory standards?

A: Yes, Methyl Salicylate has full global regulatory approval:

Pharmaceutical: Compliant with USP, BP, EP pharmacopoeia standards, approved as topical analgesic active ingredient

Food: US FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), FEMA No. 2745, compliant with FCC and China GB 28355-2012 food flavor standards

Cosmetics: EU SCCS approved for use in oral care and personal care products within concentration limits

Q5: In which products and industries is Methyl Salicylate commonly applied?

A: Methyl Salicylate is widely used across 4 major industries:

Pharmaceutical: Topical pain relief ointments, patches, medicated oils, liniments for arthritis and muscle pain

Oral care & personal care: Toothpaste, mouthwash, soaps, talcum powder, perfumes

Food & beverage: Wintergreen flavor candies, chewing gum, beverages, flavor modifiers

Industrial: Pesticides, solvents, polishes, coatings, inks, UV absorbers

Q6: What are the key quality specifications for premium Methyl Salicylate?

A: High-quality USP/BP grade Methyl Salicylate meets the following core specifications:

Purity (GC): 99.0% – 100.5%

Relative density (25°C): 1.174

Refractive index: 1.536 – 1.537

Boiling point: 222 – 223.6°C

Heavy metals (as Pb): ≤ 20 ppm

Q7: Is Methyl Salicylate safe for topical and food use?

A: Yes, high-purity Methyl Salicylate has an excellent safety profile when used within regulatory concentration limits:

Topical use: Approved by USP/BP/EP for pharmaceutical analgesic use, safe for dermal application within 10-30% concentration

Food use: FDA GRAS status, FEMA 2745 approved, safe for use as food flavoring agent within specified limits

All major global regulatory bodies confirm its safety for approved applications

Q8: Is Methyl Salicylate water soluble?

A: Methyl Salicylate is slightly soluble in water, but readily soluble in ethanol, ether, glacial acetic acid and oils. It can be directly added to the oil phase of emulsion formulations, and can be solubilized in water-based products with appropriate solubilizers.

Q9: What ingredients can Methyl Salicylate be combined with for synergistic effect?

A: Methyl Salicylate delivers excellent synergistic effects when combined with:

Analgesic formulations: Menthol, Camphor, Eucalyptus Oil for enhanced pain relief and cooling sensation (the classic "three-in-one" analgesic blend)

Oral care formulations: Peppermint Oil, Spearmint Oil for enhanced freshness and antibacterial effect

Flavor formulations: Strawberry, Grape, Spearmint flavors for enhanced taste profile