Ginger oil – discover its magical properties

Ginger and its properties have been known for millennia in both the East and the West. Ginger oil, extracted from it, is currently a popular and recommended way to look after one’s health. Why is this the case? The unassuming ginger root contains a wealth of antioxidants and medicinal substances that can be used in any way in the form of a highly concentrated essential oil. What is worth knowing about it, and why does it have a positive effect on so many aspects of our health?

Ginger essential oil – a remedy with a long tradition of use

Ginger has been regarded as a remedy with remarkable properties for thousands of years. The oil extracted from it was used as far back as 5,000 years ago by the ancient Egyptians and Chinese to treat skin conditions. Some Indian Sanskrit manuscripts also mention the versatile use of ginger oil in promoting health. In recent years, ginger root and products made from it have become important elements of everyday preventative healthcare. Nowadays, many people who are mindful of a healthy diet very often prepare dishes using ginger, which, amongst other things, offers a unique flavour experience.

In natural medicine, ginger oil is primarily used for preventative health care and for hair and skin care. Ginger oil is a natural cosmetic that prevents wrinkles and promotes hair growth. What’s more, it is one of the most versatile essential oils. Its wide range of therapeutic effects is due to its content of potent active substances, such as borneol and gingerol.

Ginger oil – what does it smell like?

Dried ginger root is the source of ginger essential oil, an energising and uplifting remedy with a distinctive scent. This oil has a delicate, light consistency, a yellow colour and a pleasantly spicy aroma. The scent varies depending on the precision of the distillation process and the quality of the ginger used. However, it is said that the most aromatic oil comes directly from the distillation of the freshest roots. The organoleptic properties of the oil are also remarkable from a health perspective. As we have already mentioned, the spicy, fresh and slightly citrusy scent helps combat depression and dispel gloomy thoughts. It also helps to relax the mind.

Ginger oil – how is it extracted?

Ginger oil is an essential oil obtained from the root of the ginger plant (Zingiber officinale). It is extracted through steam distillation, a process in which water vapour is used to separate the volatile components of ginger from the compressed plant material in the form of condensed vapour. Condensation, followed by liquefaction, produces an oil that is highly concentrated in active substances. The oil owes its health-promoting properties mainly to the active compounds present in the plant’s underground stems. Approximately 50 kg of harvested ginger rhizomes are required to produce 1 litre of the oil.

Ginger oil – what are its properties?

Ginger oil is rich in vitamin C, iron, calcium and magnesium. It also contains numerous minerals, such as potassium, phosphorus and sodium. The extracted ginger essence also contains various compounds with potential medicinal properties, including gingerol, zingiberol, camphene, cineole and borneol. These compounds, such as borneol, exhibit strong antiseptic properties. Gingerol, on the other hand, which is found in large quantities in ginger oil, has analgesic properties and stimulates the metabolism. Some studies suggest that the active compounds contained in ginger may have anti-cancer potential.

Natural ginger essential oil is used for supplementation or as a preventative health measure, primarily due to its antibiotic properties. The powerful antioxidants found in ginger essential oil protect the body against free radicals and enhance the functioning of the metabolic processes taking place within our bodies.

So, what properties of ginger oil should we be aware of?

• Pain-relieving properties
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Antiviral and antibacterial properties
• Deodorising properties
• Stimulating properties
• Dermatological properties

Natural ginger essential oil – where can it be used?

Due to the oleoresins it contains, ginger essential oil is rich in polyphenols, notably sesquiterpenes, which may be largely responsible for its beneficial effects. How can we make the most of ginger essential oil? As it turns out, it is a helpful ally in treating many ailments. Examples of areas where ginger essential oil can be used include:

• Colds –ginger oil is particularly effective in treating cold symptoms due to the cineole it contains. The essential oil helps to relieve cold symptoms and has expectorant, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Furthermore, ginger essential oil also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, thereby alleviating the painful symptoms of a cold or flu;
• Aromatherapy and home massage –in aromatherapy, ginger oil is used as a deodorising, circulation-boosting and stimulating ingredient. In massage, it relieves muscle tension and pain, and promotes the health of joints and bones;
• Skin care –natural ginger oil has a wide range of beneficial effects on the skin. The substances it contains help regenerate the skin on the face, reduce wrinkles, clear up acne and improve the appearance of existing scars;
• Hair care –ginger oil has been used for centuries to treat hormonal and genetic hair loss. It stimulates the hair follicle, promoting further hair growth. The gingerol and zingiberol contained in the oil also help to stop hair loss when applied regularly directly to the scalp;
• Nausea –ginger oil is a natural remedy for nausea. It helps with diarrhoea and indigestion, and is found, amongst other things, in anti-nausea and travel sickness remedies. It soothes the gut flora and has a beneficial effect on the health of the intestinal and stomach mucosa;
• Toning and relaxation –as a concentrated energising agent, ginger oil used during a bath, aromatherapy or massage alleviates physical weakness, combats low mood and chronic physical fatigue. It boosts energy levels and has a proactive effect.

Ginger essential oil – how should it be used?

Natural ginger essential oil can be used both externally and internally. For internal use, it is primarily used to alleviate gastrointestinal problems. For external use, it is particularly useful in skin and hair care, as well as for massage. When used in a diffuser or nebuliser, ginger essential oil provides a refreshing and deodorising scent that relaxes and stimulates the senses.

Due to its high concentration of active compounds and its potency, the oil should not be used undiluted, but only in combination with a carrier oil. Ginger essential oil and carrier oil should be mixed in a ratio of 1:4.

Ginger essential oil – what are the contraindications?

Ginger essential oil is generally considered safe when used correctly. In some cases, it may cause side effects, such as skin irritation, an allergic reaction or gastrointestinal discomfort.

For this reason, the use of ginger essential oil is particularly not recommended for children under the age of three. The same precaution applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women. During pregnancy, after the first three months, the oil may only be used via diffusion. Furthermore, due to its blood-thinning properties, this oil is not suitable for people taking blood-thinning or anti-diabetic medication.

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