Is an organic ester naturally produced by many species of plants, particularly wintergreens. For acute joint and muscular pain, methyl salicylate is used as a rubefacient and analgesic in deep heating liniments. Ointments or liniments containing methyl salicylate are applied topically as counter irritant for relief of acute pain associated with lumbago, sciatica and rheumatic conditions. Methyl salicylate relieve musculoskeletal pain in the muscles, joints, and tendons by causing irritation and reddening of the skin due to dilated capillaries and increased blood flow.
