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Ginger Essential Oil

	Ginger Root

The aroma of Ginger Essential Oil can vary widely, depending on the distillation and quality of the root being distilled. The distillation of fresh ginger root can lead to an aromatically superior oil, one that I absolutely adore.

Topically, Ginger Oil can be useful in blends and formulations intended to help improve circulation. It's a frequent addition to blends for massage, arthritis and muscle aches and pains.

When used topically at low dilutions or in a diffuser, Ginger Oil can help to ease nausea and motion sickness. Since Ginger Oil is so strong, I do not recommend that anyone without a formal education in herbalism or aromatherapy take it without being under the care of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner (instead, try Ginger Tea or Crystallized Ginger).

Aromatically, Ginger Essential Oil is spicy and warming. Though it is especially well suited for fall and winter months, I use it all year round. I love combining Ginger Oil in the diffuser with citrus oils and other spice oils.

Ginger Oil is one that is not a personal favorite to everyone, but is an oil that can significantly enhance a blend or synergy.

Emotionally, I find Ginger Oil energizing and uplifting. It is considered an aphrodisiac. Its aroma is a wonderful addition to blends especially formulated for men (women love it too).

Spiritually, I personally find Ginger Essential Oil to be a welcome addition to my blends for expressing gratitude.

Ginger Oil

Botanical Name: Zingiber officinale Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled Color: Light Yellow Consistency: Thin Perfumery Note: Middle/Base Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong

Aromatic Description: Warm, spicy, earthy, woody.

Ginger Oil Uses: Aching muscles, arthritis, nausea, poor circulation. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 60-64.]

Constituents: a-pinene, camphene, B-pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, borneol, y-terpineol, nerol, neral, geraniol, geranial, geranyl acetate, B-bisabolene, zingiberene. [B. Lawrence, "Ginger Oil," Perfumer & Flavorist, February/March 1982, 30, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 167.]

Safety Information: Ginger Oil is slightly phototoxic. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 236.] Do not use if the area of application will be exposed to sunlight for 24 hours due to its phototoxicity.

Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using Ginger Oil. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 206.]

Marge Clark of Nature's Gift mentions that Ginger CO2 extracted from the fresh root can be stronger and more sensitizing, and I agree.

Important Note: The essential oil information provided within the Essential Oil Properties & Profiles area is intended for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

General Safety Information: Do not take any essential oils internally without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use essential oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and give children only the gentlest oils at extremely low doses. It is safest to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using essential oils with children. A skin patch test should be conducted prior to using an essential oil that you've never used before. Instructions on conducting a skin patch test and more safety information can be found by visiting the Essential Oil Safety Information page. For very in-depth information on essential oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs. 

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	Own Detailed Profiles on 160 Essential Oils The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless contains 160 detailed essential oil profiles complete with beautiful color photos.  Read a review of this book or purchase this book through Amazon.com. Also consider... Aromatherapy Science: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals In addition to the eight main chapters contained within the book, Aromatherapy Science: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals also includes over 65 detailed oil monographs (profiles) and over 30 appendices.  Read a review of this book or purchase this book through Amazon.com.