Gaultheria procumbens, also called the eastern teaberry, the checkerberry, the boxberry, or the American wintergreen, is a species of Gaultheria native to northeastern North America from Newfoundland west to southeastern Manitoba, and south to Alabama. It is a member of the Ericaceae (heath family).
For the leaves to yield significant amounts of their essential oil, they need to be fermented for at least three days The berries and leaves contain methyl salicylate, a compound that is closely related to aspirin. This is the principal constituent of Wintergreen Oil. Its aroma will be familiar to sportsmen as an anti-inflammatory balm.