Essential Oil Database

Photo: Zingiber Officinale

Ginger

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Zingiber Officinale

Family Name:

Zingiberaceae

Source Country:

Cochin

Plant Parts Used:

Rhizome

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Zingiberene, bisabolene, gingerol, linalool, phellandrene, cineol, butanal, camphene, pinene

Botanical Description

Photo: Zingiber Officinale

Zingiber Officinale is native to China, and is cultivated in tropical climes worldwide. It is a perennial plant commonly known as Ginger growing up to 1 meter tall. The reed like leaves measure 30 cm in length and the single flower is yellow-green and purple. Below ground horizontal rhizomes grow, which are aromatic and the source of the spice, which is commonly used fresh, dried, and powdered.

Ginger has traditionally been used in Asian and Eastern cuisine as a spice, sweet flavouring, alcoholic and no-alcoholic drinks, and preservative.

Ginger has also been traditionally used for medicinal uses.

Photo: Zingiber Officinale

Fragrance

Ginger essential oil has a peppery, pungent, warm, spicy, camphor like and lemony scent.

Ginger essential oil is a pale yellow liquid.

Ginger blends well with black pepper, cedarwood, cinnamon, frankincense, lime, neroli, patchouli, peppermint, rose, rosewood, sandalwood, sweet orange, tea tree, vetiver and ylang ylang.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Zingiber Officinale

Properties: analgesic, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperitif, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, carminative, cephalic, diaphoretic, expectorant, laxative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic.

Aids: apatite, circulation, concentration, impotence, memory.

Alleviates: arthritis, bruising, catarrh, colic, congestion, constipation, fatigue, flatulence, indigestion, muscle aches and pains, nausea, rheumatism, sinusitis, sore throat, sprains, toothache, varicose veins.

Ginger is stimulating and grounding and is said to restore willpower.

Safety Data

Avoid use if pregnant.

Use very moderately within normal therapeutic guidelines to avoid sensitisation.

Avoid use if suffering from peptic or bleeding ulcers.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.