Ginger Essential Oil

Ginger essential oil is extracted from common ginger by steam distillation. It belongs to Zingiberaceae family.   Ginger originates from India, commonly found in South East Asia but is also native to West Indies and Africa.

Nature of Ginger Essential Oil

Ginger essential oil is pale yellow or dark amber colored viscous liquid whose viscosity varies from medium to watery. It has a strong, spicy, pungent, sweet, warm and peppery aroma that smells like actual ginger. Its nature is to activate and restore self-determination.

Chemical Composition 

The chemical composition of ginger essential oil consists of a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, borneol, y-terpineol, nerol, neral, geraniol, geranial, geranyl acetate, b-bisabolene and zingiberene.

Ginger Essential Oil Properties

Ginger essential oil has stimulating, aphrodisiac, warming, grounding and laxative properties. And the therapeutic properties are antiseptic, anti-emetic, analgesic, antispasmodic, antitussive, aperitif, cephalic, carminative, bactericidal, diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge, rubefacient, sudorific, stomachic and tonic.

Ginger Essential Oil Blends 

Ginger essential oil blends very well with citrus and spicy oils. It is blended with essential oils like bergamot, cedarwood, frankincense, geranium, lemon, lime, neroli, roman chamomile, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, vetiver and ylang ylang to produce many different mixtures for many different ailments.

Ginger Essential Oil Uses

• It helps to ease colds and flu, lethargy and nausea when used in vapor therapy.

• Due to its warming properties it is good to use when depression and feelings of loneliness arise.

• It is very useful for the people who lack confidence and personal drive.

• Due to its expectorant and sudorific properties it warms up the lungs and dries excess moisture. It also helps to expel mucous from the respiratory system.

• It can be used in treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, lethargy, muscle pains, nausea, poor circulation and digestive problems when blended with massage oil or diluted in the bath.

• Due to its rubeficient properties it is often included in sport massage creams and lotions.

• When inhaled it is very beneficial to the whole body as a tonic to strengthen vital organs such as the kidneys and the lungs.

• It helps to ease morning sickness, motion sickness and travel sickness.

• It can be used during pregnancy to alleviate morning sickness.

• It is also useful in treatment of bronchitis, bruising, catarrh, carbuncles, colic, coughs, constipation, cramps, chills, congestion, diarhhea, fever, hangovers, exhausion, flatulence, indigestion, sore throat and sinutisis.

• It is used to tone and settle the digestive system.

Cautions to be taken 

Ginger essential oil is slightly phototoxic and therefore can irritate sensitive skin. Don’t apply it directly without diluting. Dilute it in carrier oil before applying it on skin. Always carry out a patch test before using it. Avoid sun exposure after application. It should not be taken internally and kept out of eyes.

Ginger essential oil has hypersensitive properties and therefore should not be used by the people with high blood pressure. If you suffering from liver problems, cancers or any other medical conditions use ginger essential oil with a proper medical advice. Pregnant women and children should also take medical advice before using oils.