Ginger is a perennial reed-like plant with annual foliage that can reach 3-4 feet and grows in hot climates. Clusters of white and pink buds bloom into white flowers.
Ginger is one of the five noble spices along with cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and black pepper, and has a long history of medicinal and culinary use.
The rhizomes are the fleshy roots used in cooking, pickling, beverages and medicine.
Ginger essential oil is the best natural remedy for motion sickness and nausea. It is also a great remedy for colds, fatigue and poor circulation.
The CO2 extraction has more constituents that make it hotter than the steam distilled oils and shouldn’t be used in the bath.
It is a hot stimulant and exercise caution.
| COMMON NAME | GINGER |
| Latin Name | Zingiber officinale |
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Country of Origin | Native to Asia, China, West Indies, India, Jamaica, |
| Volatility | Base note |
| Extraction | Steam distilled or CO2 extraction of rhizomes (roots) |
| Colour | pale green yellow, darkens with age |
| Aroma | warm, spicy, sweet, pungent |
| Caution Contraindications | May irritate skin, very warming. Do not put CO2 extraction into a bath or take internally, it is very HOT. |
| Primary Uses | Digestion: stimulates appetite, relieves cramps, indigestion, ulcers, constipation/diarrhoea, liver congestion, motion/travel sickness, nausea, heartburn, gas
Circulation: warming, stimulating,
Cardiovascular: regulates blood pressure,
Respiratory Immune: fever, flu, colds, arthritis, fatigue
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| Properties | Antiemetic, anticonvulsant, antifungal, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antispasmodic (digestive) appetite stimulant, blood pressure normaliser, cardiac, warming carminative, cholagogue, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, stimulating expectorant, febrifuge, immune stimulant, nervine, pancreatic, rubefacient, stomachic, neural peripheral vasodilator, hot stimulant, |
| Constituents |
Monoterpene alcohols: >.5% gingerol, gingerone, zingebernol,
Sesquiterpene: 50% camphene, bisabolene,
Sesquiterpene alcohols:
Monoterpenes: zingiberene 20-30% B-pinene, limonene, phellandrene,
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