For acute joint and muscular pain, methyl salicylate is used as a rubefacient and analgesic in deep heating liniments. It is used as a flavoring agent in chewing gums and mints in small concentrations and added as antiseptic in mouthwash solutions.

Application

 Methyl salicylate is an organic ester responsible for the minty smell of wintergreen. This procedure will use starting materials that can be found at a supermarket including aspirin, antifreeze, and drain cleaner.