Ginger essential oil
Botanical (and family):
Zingiber Officinale. Family Zingiberaceae
Distribution:
Native to Southern Asia, but cultivated extensively in the tropical areas such as Nigeria, India, China, West Indies, Jamaica and Japan.
Description of plant:
A straight growing reed-like perennial to 1 metre, with a thick spreading, tuberous rhizome root and white or yellow flowers.
Extraction:
Steam distillation of the unpeeled, dried, ground root.
Charactersitics:
A pale yellow to light amber coloured liquid, with a warm, but fresh-woody odour, spicy and with a peculiar resemblance to orange, lemon and lemongrass. The sweet or heavy undertone is tenacious, sweet and rich, almost balsamic-floral.
TOP TO MIDDLE NOTE
Odour effects:
Warming
Cautions:
Could irritate sensitive skins.
Main chemical constituents:
Geranial, citronellal - 5%
Gingerone - 3%
Beta-sesquiphellandrene, zingiberene, ar-curcumene - 55%
1,8-Ceneol - 1,3%
Alpha-Pinene, Beta-Pinene, camphene, limonene, phellandrene - 20%
Citronellol, linalool, borneol, gingerol - 10%
Properties and indications:
MIND
Warming to the emotions, sharpens the senses and aids memory.
BODY
Especially helpful in cases of excess moisture such as catarrh, influenza and running colds. Can ease sore throats and tonsillitis. Is beneficial in cooling the body down. Tones and settles the digestive system. Scurvy, flatulence and diarrhoea respond favourably. It can also be effective against nausea, hangovers, travel and sea sickness. Its analgesic properties relieve arthritis and rheumatic pains as well as cramp, sprains and muscle spasm, especially of the lower back. It stimulates circulation and may ease angina. Said to reduce chilblains, high cholestrol and varicose veins. A valuable remedy in cases of impotence, especially when mixed with Cinnamon, Coriander and Rosemary. Reputedly good for the eyesight and hearing.
SKIN
Helpful in clearing bruising, sores and carbuncles.
Other uses:
Spices, cosmetics, perfumes, laxatives and digestives.
