Ginger Essential Oil

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**The Origin of Ginger Essential Oil**

The true origins of the Ginger plant is unknown, but it is said to originated from either China, India or Java yet it is also native a native plant to Africa and the West Indies. It is also known as Zingiber officinalis from the family, Zingiberaceae, which you may also see written in aromatherapy books or on Essential oil bottles. It was most possibly brought to the continent of Europe ...
...explorers of the day. The ginger plant has been known to be used in medicine since very primitive times; it was recorded in both Chinese and Sanskrit texts. Ginger was also talk about in the literature of the Ancient Greeks, Arabians and Romans. So the next time you suffer from travel sickness and chew on a piece of Candied Ginger, remember you were doing the same as the Ancient Romans!

The Ginger plant is a perennial herb that can ... more

This opinion is about the essential oil ‘Ginger’. I will be giving an overview of ginger, how it is extracted and what it is used for to treat the body. It should be pointed out from the start that this is a general guide and that if you intend using this essential oil you must get expert advise first.

**The Origin of Ginger Essential Oil**

The true origins of the Ginger plant is unknown, but it is said to originated from either China, India or Java yet it is also native a native plant to Africa and the West Indies. It is also known as Zingiber officinalis from the family, Zingiberaceae, which you may also see written in aromatherapy books or on Essential oil bottles. It was most possibly brought to the continent of Europe between the 10th and 15th century as a condiment or precious spice by the explorers of the day. The ginger plant has been known to be used in medicine since very primitive times; it was recorded in both Chinese and Sanskrit texts. Ginger was also talk about in the literature of the Ancient Greeks, Arabians and Romans. So the next time you suffer from travel sickness and chew on a piece of Candied Ginger, remember you were doing the same as the Ancient Romans!

The Ginger plant is a perennial herb that can grow anywhere up to three to four feet in height with a chunky, diffusioning tuberous rhizome (swollen roots). Each year the ginger plant shoots up a stalk with narrow spear-shaped leaves plus yellow and white flowers growing directly from the root. (Looking at pictures in books, I feel it is an ugly plant!)

The name ginger is said to be originate from the Gingi district of India. A tea made from ginger is used for stomach upsets. In Asian medicine, dried ginger is used to treat stomach aliments such as diarrhoea, nausea, and stomachaches. In Chinese medicine, ginger was also used to boost the heart and to help with mucus and phlegm, (lovely).

** Extraction Process**

The China production method for obtaining ginger essential oil is to use steam distillation. The oil is removed by means of steam distillation from the unpeeled or dried, then ground-up root (rhizome) of the plant. This process can produce around 2-4% of essential oil. Ginger essential oil varies in colour from pale yellow to a darker amber shade and its viscosity also ranges from medium to watery. The chemical composition of the Ginger Essential Oil includes: Alpha and Beta Zingiberene, Beta Bisabolene, Borneol, Citral, Cineole, Camphene, Limonene, Neral and Phellandrene. (As you can see this is a very concentrated essential oil). Its aromatherapy class is energizing and warming and therefore a useful Essential oil to keep handy.

**Precautions Safety**

Ginger oil is non-toxic and non-irritant, except when used in high concentrations and this could then irritate sensitive skin types and is also known to cause photosensitivity (discolours the skin in sunlight). Ginger oil should only be used on the skin when well diluted in a carrier oil (almond oil).

**Therapeutic properties**

The therapeutic properties of Ginger oil include the following: Analgesic, Anti-emetic (sickness relief), antiseptic, antiscorbutic (anti-scurvy), aperitif (appetizer), aphrodisiac, carminative (remedy for colic and flatulence), expectorant (encourage phlegm production), febrifuge (medicine to reduce fever), laxative, stimulant, sudorific (medicine to produce sweat), tonic.

The uses of ginger essential oil are to treat the ailments as follows: arthritis, bruising, carbuncles, catarrh, chills and fever, congestion, coughs, colic, cramps, colds and flu, diarrhoea, fractures (simple as apposed to compound fractures), hangovers (particually if you are having to go to work on “the morning after the night before”!), nausea, rheumatism, sinusitis, sores on the skin, sore throat travel and sea sickness. Remember that with treating any ailments you should obtain advise from an expert. If using ginger oil internally, insure that you have the correct oil in the correct carrier to prevent poisoning. It goes without saying that if in any doubt, always check with an expert before using!

Ginger Essential Oil is a spicy, woody aroma with perfume top note. Ginger (spice) oil is well suited to help ease colds and flu, nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness. Externally, ginger essential oil can be used to treat muscle aches and pains as well as poor circulation and arthritic pain. Its warming qualities are good to use for feelings of loneliness and winter depression. It is also has energizing properties that makes it a good aphrodisiac! (So buying Chocolate Ginger may help to spice up your love life!)

**Ways to Use Ginger Essential Oil**

*Burners and vaporizers*
This is a vapour therapy. Add around fie drops of oil into a room burner (ensuring it is place in a safe position in the room). Ginger oil can be used to help relieve and treat catarrh, colds, flu, feeling of loneliness, lethargy, loss of libido and nausea.

Remember never to leave a burner unattended.

*In the bath*
Add around 5mls of blended massage oil or 10 drops of Ginger essential oil mixed in a carrier oil or milk in the bath. This can be used for arthritis, colds and flu, digestive upsets, lethargy, muscle aches, poor circulation and rheumatism.

Do not add more than 10 drops, as anymore may cause violent headaches.

*In a body/massage cream*
A pre-prepared cream can be purchased that is ideal to use to treat arthritis, muscle aches, poor circulation and rheumatism.

Always check the ingredients before application to ensure there is nothing that will contra-indicate any other medication that you maybe taking.

*Drop on handkerchief*
For ease of use, when applying 1-2 drops of Ginger Essential oil to a handkerchief for quick inhalation combined with chamomile oil; ideal for use during a car journey. This method of use can be employed for treating nausea, morning sickness, indigestion, colds and flu and travel sickness treatments.

Remember not to apply too much as too much will make your symptoms worse.

*Hot Compress*
When used as a hot compresses, up to five drops ginger essential oil can be used on the poultice to treat arthritis, digestive upsets, muscle aches and rheumatism. Place the compress directly on to the skin, over a protective layer i.e. handkerchief for up to 20mintues. Remember not to allow the oil to get on the skin due to photosensitivity or due to it being a potential skin irritant, (as mentioned earlier).

**Ginger essential oil and blending**

Since Ginger is a fiery and fortifying, strong smelling oil that can overpower weaker oils, it blends well with all citrus and spicy oils such as Bergamot, Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lemon, Lime Mints, Neroli, Orange, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang.

Ginger essential oil is avalible from most good health stores and costs around £5.00 for a 7mls bottle.

Well I hope my opinion on Ginger essential oil proves helpful and informative. I have given examples of how this essential oil can be used to treat the body’s ailments, but always check with your GP if you are going to use this essential oil. Also remember this oil is photosensitive and if applied directly on the skin, can cause a reaction in the form of irritation.

 

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