Ginger Essential Oil

Zingiberaceae.

Comes from India, China and tropical countries such as Jamaica, the West Indies and Nigeria. 

Ginger is a perennial herb which grows best in tropical regions. Cultivated plants are grown for the rhizomes (root) which is the part of the plant used to produce the oil. Wild ginger will produce flowers whereas cultivated ginger usually does not. The rhizomes must be harvested before they are fully matured as this is when they contain the optimum amount of oil. Once the rhizomes have been picked they are washed and then allowed to dry in the sun.

The essential oil is produced by steam distillation of the root. 

Stimulating, tonic, analgesic, laxative, warming, rubefacient, antispasmodic & stomachic.

As an oil Ginger is mainly used in massage albeit in a very low ratio and normally as part of a blend with other oils and a carrier oil. This is because it is a dermal irritant and so should always be used with care. It's used for treating tired and aching muscle and skeletal issues as well as general fatigue and also to help ease cramps caused by constipation or excessive flatulence. 

You can burn or vaporise Ginger essential oil just like any other essential oil. Because it's a warming oil with good decongestant properties it's often burned to help unblock a stuffy nose. It's also used to liquefy and encourage the movement of sticky mucus and in the treatment of catarrhal lung conditions and chesty coughs. 

In massage Ginger should always be very well diluted as it is an irritant to the skin in concentrations higher than 1-2%. It's used in treating muscular pain, fatigue, rheumatism and arthritis. It stimulates skin circulation so is often used to help heal bruises and chilblains. You may find it simpler to just add a drop or 2 to an existing massage oil. 

BLENDS WELL WITH: 

All essential oils generally blend well with one another. You may find that as Ginger has a particularly powerful aroma you'll need to use it in small concentrations so it doesn't overpower the other oils in your blend. Ginger blends particularly well with all citrus oils as well as bergamot, frankincense, neroli, rose, sandalwood and ylang-ylang.

Ginger blends particularly well with Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clove, Coriander, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Juniper, Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Neroli, Orange, Palmarosa, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetivert and Ylang Ylang.