Ginger oil is an essential oil that is used in today's aromatherapy.
Ginger is an herb with white or yellow flowers and dark green leaves and a thick root. It is sought after for its aphrodisiac, appetite stimulant, and moisture balancer characteristics. It can be found in India, Malaysia, Africa, United States, West Indies, and all over the tropics.
Ginger's essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the root of the plant. Ginger essential oil is used for its antiseptic, aphrodisiac, laxative, stimulant and tonic properties. Ginger essential oil has a spicy and peppery aroma. It is often blended with other essential oils to produce many different mixtures for many different ailments. Ginger works well when blended with atlas cedarwood, blue gum eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, lemon, lime, Roman chamomile, rose, rosemary, sandalwood and vetiver.
Throughout the ages ginger oil and gingerroot has been used for many reasons in different cultures. Ginger root has been used as a condiment for its taste; it has also been used as a remedy to avoid malaria. The Chinese has used ginger in their medicines to break up phlegm from respiratory infections, the Chinese also use ginger to strengthen the heart, rheumatism, and anything to do with a over abundant amount of moisture in the body.
In today's aromatherapy it is used to clear up moisture from runny noses and also to ease sore throats and sinusitis. It is used to encourage the body to sweat when fevers are involved and it also counteracts ailments that are cause by dampness. Ginger is used to tone and settle the digestive system and it used to stimulate the appetite in children, herbalist often prescribe for picky eaters and the elderly. It is used during pregnancy to alleviate the effects of morning sickness, and is also used for travel sickness. Ginger can be used in massages and as a compress to alleviate muscle pain such as muscle cramps and muscle spasms. It is especially useful for back pains and back sprains.
If using ginger essential oil in a massage it needs to be used with base oil such as wheat germ oil or avocado oil.
