Plant Description:
Ginger essential oil is extracted from the plant Zingiberaceae officinale of the Zingiberaceae family and is also known as Vietnam Ginger.
The plant is said to originate from Vietnam, China & India. It was most likely brought to Europe between the 10th and 15th century as a condiment and spice.
Ginger is a perennial herb and grows to about 3 – 4 feet high with a thick spreading tuberous rhizome. Every year it shoots up a stalk with narrow spear-shaped leaves, as well as white or yellow flowers growing directly from the root.
The oil is extracted by means of steam distillation from the unpeeled or dried, ground-up root (rhizome) of the plant, and can yield about 1 % oil.
Ginger Oil properties
Appearance: Pale yellow to brownish yellow color
Odour: Fresh, strong warm & spicy
Specific Gravity: 0.870 – 0.895
Refractive Index: 1.480 – 1.500
Optical Rotation: -47° to -26°
Main components: Zingiberene min 28%
The essential oil has various chemical constituents including the following: a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, borneol, y-terpineol, nerol, neral, geraniol, geranial, geranyl acetate, b-bisabolene and zingiberene.
Ginger Oil Uses
Ginger has been used as a medicine since very early times and is recorded in both Sanskrit and Chinese texts and is also mentioned in the literature of the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Arabians.
Asian medicine uses dried ginger for stomach problems such as stomach-ache, diarrhea, and nausea. The Chinese also use it to boost the heart and to help with mucus and phlegm.
Ginger oil is used in the treatment of fractures, rheumatism, arthritis, bruising, carbuncles, nausea, hangovers, travel and sea sickness, colds and flu, catarrh, congestion, coughs, sinusitis, sores on the skin, sore throat, diarrhea, colic, cramps, chills and fever.
Precautions
Ginger oil is non-toxic and non-irritant (except when used in high concentrations) but could irritate sensitive skins and can also cause photosensitivity.
Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.