Ginger is a root widely used in cooking in many parts of the world for its spicy taste and therapeutic properties. Used internally, Ginger essential oil is a powerful digestive tonic. When applied externally, its spicy smell makes it an aphrodisiac to the great pleasure of your partner. Latin name: Zingiber officinale Roscoe. Distilled part: rhizomes
This article was updated on 29/03/2023Precautions for use
Ginger essential oil is rather flexible of use. All routes of administration are possible and only pregnant women and the infants are prohibited from use. They can nevertheless use it in diffusion and pregnant women over 3 months for skin application and ingestion on medical advice. It is also important to dilute in cutaneous application since it is dermocaustic in its pure state and irritating to the skin.
Authorized users
Possible ways of use
Risks of use
Other precautions
Medical advice
- Pregnant women over 3 months can use it by ingestion or through the skin, diluted and under medical prescription.
- Ask a healthcare professional for advice if you take anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents concomitantly.
Skin application
Ginger essential oil is dermocaustic and irritating to the skin, it must therefore be diluted to 20% in a vegetable oil (20% essential oil for 80% vegetable oil).
In broadcast
Babies and pregnant women can use this essential oil in atmospheric diffusion.
Allergenic components
Ginger essential oil contains several allergenic biochemical components.
-
geranial + neral (≤ 3%);
-
limonene (≤2%);
-
geraniol (≤ 2%);
-
linalool (≤1%).
Note: It is preferable to test the essential oil before using it (dilute a drop of essential oil in a little vegetable oil and apply it to the crook of the elbow. Wait at least 24 hours to check that it is there is no reaction).
Properties of Ginger essential oil
Ginger essential oil is highly concentrated in sesquiterpenes (alpha-zingiberene, germacrene D, beta-bisabolene, ar-curcumene, beta-sesquiphellandrene). These different molecules give it the following main properties:
-
digestive tonic +++ (monoterpene carbides):
ginger essential oil stimulates digestion and accelerates the passage of the food bolus.
-
anti-inflammatory +++ (sesquiterpene carbides):
ginger essential oil reduces various joint pains, as well as muscle pains.
-
antibacterial, antifungal + (sesquiterpene carbides, monoterpene carbides):
ginger essential oil suppresses the germs responsible for many ENT infections, and also suppresses the fungi responsible for candidiasis.
But also these secondary properties:
- nerve stimulant
Against the Constipation
Efficiency: ++++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+. Orally, 1 pure drop in a teaspoon of olive oil, before meals, for 3 days maximum.
From 3 years. Through the skin, 2 drops of Ginger essential oil diluted in 8 drops of vegetable oil, massaged on the stomach before meals for 5 to 7 days.
Use in synergy
Reserved for ages 6+. Repeat 3 times a day for 5 to 7 days, 2 drops of this synergy in a teaspoon of olive oil or honey:
- 30 drops of Tarragon essential oil
- 30 drops of Bergamot essential oil
- 15 drops of Coriander Seed essential oil
- 15 drops of Ginger essential oil
More details or other users: essential oils against constipation.
In case of Lack of appetite
Efficiency: ++++
Simple use
Adults and adolescents. Orally, ingest 1 drop of Ginger essential oil on a neutral tablet 3 times a day before meals, for 3 days.
Use in synergy
Reserved for ages 6+. To repeat at the start of each meal, ingest 2 drops of the following mixture on a ball of bread crumbs:
- 20 drops of Thyme linalool essential oil
- 25 drops of Lemon essential oil
- 5 drops of Ginger essential oil
- 5 drops of Black Pepper essential oil
Source: Couic-Marinier, F., & Touboul, A. (2017). The Living Earth guide to essential oils, 321.
In case of Reduced libido, sexual fatigue
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Reserved for adults, preferably men.
- Through the skin, 3 drops of Ginger essential oil in 12 drops of vegetable oil applied along the spine and lower back, twice a day for 10 days.
- Orally, 1 drop of Ginger essential oil on a neutral tablet every morning.
Ginger or Complete Ylang Ylang?
Ginger's aphrodisiac reputation is well established, and its essential oil deserves it! However, it is rather known for being a male tonic, and for optimal effectiveness in boosting both female and male libido, choose complete Ylang Ylang essential oil : 1 drop of Complete Ylang Ylang EO in 4 drops of vegetable oil, on the lower spine, twice a day for 10 days.
Use in synergy
For men. To be renewed for 1 week. Place 4 drops of the mixture on the lower back morning and evening.
- 15 drops of Ginger essential oil
- 15 drops of Complete Ylang Ylang essential oil
- 15 drops of Fragrant Verbena essential oil
- 15 drops of Cinnamon essential oil
- 160 drops of Hazelnut vegetable oil
More details : essential oils to boost male libido.
Against the Aerophagia, bloating, flatulence
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+. Orally, 1 drop of ginger essential oil on a neutral tablet in case of digestive disorders.
Source: Couic-Marinier, F., & Touboul, A. (2017). The Living Earth guide to essential oils, 102.
Ginger or Cardamom?
Ginger essential oil is a digestive tonic and thus promotes digestion, but Cardamom, an essential oil from the same family, is just as effective:
- Orally, 1 drop in a teaspoon of olive oil or honey 3 times a day
- Through the skin, diluted at 20% in vegetable oil, applied to the abdomen 3 times a day.
In case of' Arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Authorized from 3 years old. Through the skin, 1 drop of Ginger essential oil in 4 drops of vegetable oil massage on the painful area, 3 times a day for 7 days.
Ginger or Lemon Eucalyptus?
Ginger essential oil is anti-inflammatory thanks to its sesquiterpenes, but lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is more suitable in cases of osteoarthritis or rheumatism: 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil, 3 to 4 times a day on the painful area until improvement.
In case of' Asthenia, Fatigue
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+. Orally, 1 drop of Ginger essential oil on a neutral tablet, to ingest before morning and midday meals, for 7 days
Ginger or Black Spruce?
Ginger essential oil is invigorating and stimulating, but in case of severe fatigue, it is better to use black Spruce essential oil : cutaneously, 2 drops in 8 drops of vegetable oil applied to the lower back at the kidney level, 3 times a day. Take a one-week break after three weeks of use.
Against the Nausea, Vomiting, Motion sickness
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
From 3 years old. When inhaled, a few drops of ginger essential oil on a tissue or in an inhaler. Breathe heavily when the need arises.
Ginger or Peppermint?
Ginger essential oil facilitates digestion and counteracts nausea. It can therefore be used in this type of situation, but it is better to use peppermint essential oil in adults (1 pure drop under the tongue). For children over 3 years old, we recommend the essential oil of Lemon (1 drop in a teaspoon of honey or on sugar or a neutral tablet to let melt in the mouth).
Against the Hair growth, Hair loss
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
From 3 years old. Through the skin, 2 pure drops in a dollop of shampoo, each time you wash.
Use in synergy
Reserved for ages 6+. Massage your scalp with a small amount of this shampoo then leave on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing:
- 4 drops of Rosat Geranium essential oil
- 4 drops of Grapefruit essential oil
- 2 drops of Cajeput essential oil
- 2 drops of Ginger essential oil
- Complete with neutral shampoo until the bottle is full.
More details : anti-hair loss shampoo.
Ginger or Complete Ylang Ylang?
Ginger essential oil will be beneficial for your hair, but if you have it, ginger essential oilYlang-ylang complete will be more suitable: use 1 drop in a usual dose of shampoo, each time you wash.
Other famous applications of Ginger
Ginger essential oil is used on many occasions, particularly linked to its anti-inflammatory, digestive tonic and aphrodisiac properties. For the majority ofthe following uses it will be effective, but without necessarily being the best essential oil. We therefore indicate to you the best replacement for Ginger for the following different problems.
Bronchitis
Ginger essential oil is effective, but... it is better to use theeucalyptus Globulus essential oil : from 6 years old, 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil to apply to the thorax, 4 times a day for 5 to 7 days.
Tooth pain
Ginger essential oil can be effective, but... it is better to use theclove essential oil : 1 pure drop using a cotton swab on the affected area, 5 times a day for 3 days.
Sprain, strain
Ginger essential oil can be effective, but... it is better to use theitalian Helichrysum essential oil : from 6 years old, 3 pure drops of Italian Helichrysum on the sprain, after having cooled it with an ice pack, once a day, until the sprain disappears.
How to recognize a good Ginger essential oil?
Botanical characteristics
- Latin Name: Zingiber officinale Roscoe
- Botanical family: Zingiberaceae
- Part used: rhizomes
- Country of origin: Sri Lanka.
Physical characteristics
- Density at 20°C: 0.872 to 0.892
- Refractive index at 20°C: 1.484 to 1.498
- Rotary power at 20°C: -50 to -18
- Flash point: 65
Organoleptic characteristics
- Appearance: mobile liquid
- Color: yellow to pale yellow
- Odor: spicy, lemony, characteristic, peppery.
Biochemical characteristics
- α-zingiberene: 23 to 45%
- β-sesquiphellandrene: 8 to 17%
- camphene: 0.2 to 12%
- ar-curcumene: 3 to 11%
- β-bisabolene: 2.5 to 7%
- α-pinene: 0.1 to 6%
- citral: 0.2 to 5.5%
- geranial: 0.1 to 3.5%
- geraniol: 0.1 to 3.5%
- general: 0.1 to 2%
- β-elemene: 0.6 to 1.1%
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Bibliography
Publication: El Makawy, AI and al. (2019). Effect of antiepileptic drug (Topiramate) and cold pressed ginger oil on testicular genes expression, sexual hormones and histopathological alterations in mice. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 110, 409–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.146
Publication: Haniadka, R. (2013b). A review of the gastroprotective effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Food & Function, 4(6), 845–855. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3fo30337c
Publication: Liju, V.B., Jeena, K., & Kuttan, R. (2015). Gastroprotective activity of essential oils from turmeric and ginger. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2013-0165
Publication: Sharifi-Rad, M. and al. (2017). Plants of the Genus Zingiber as a Source of Bioactive Phytochemicals: From Tradition to Pharmacy. Molecules, 22(12), 2145. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22122145
Publication: Jeena, K., Liju, V. B., & Kuttan, R. (2013). Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of essential oil from ginger. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 57(1), 51–62.
Work : Falcon, M. (2017). Treatise on scientific and medical aromatherapy: Essential oils, foundations and prescription aids (3rd ed). Blood of the Earth.
Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.
Work : Couic Marinier, F., & Touboul, A. (2017). The Living Earth guide to essential oils. Terre Vivante Editions.
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About these tips
This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists.
La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.