10/02/2016
Benefits of Ginger Oil
Ginger oil's many benefits are attributed to its anti-inflammatory, digestive, expectorant, antiseptic, carminative, analgesic, and stimulating properties. It's helpful in alleviating various health problems, such as:10
Stomach and bowel related problems – Ginger oil helps promote proper digestion, and can be a great remedy for spasms, dyspepsia, indigestion, and flatulence. It can also increase your appetite, which is great for people who are trying to gain weight.
Food poisoning – Ginger oil's antiseptic and carminative properties can help treat food poisoning, as well as intestinal infections and bacterial dysentery.
Malaria and yellow fever – A study found that ginger oil can help repel Anopheles culicifacies mosquitoes, which is the primary carrier of malaria in India.11
Respiratory problems – Ginger oil can help relieve and treat coughs, flu, asthma, breathlessness, and bronchitis. Fresh ginger can actually remove mucus from throat and lungs, and is commonly added to tea for its soothing effects.
Pain – Ginger and ginger oil can help reduce prostaglandins, which are the compounds associated with pain. For more information about how ginger relieves pain (particularly after-exercise pain), check out my article here.
Heart ailments – Using ginger oil regularly can help reduce your risk of blood clots and arteriosclerosis, as well as help decrease the bad cholesterol levels in your blood.12
How to Make Ginger Oil
Ginger is traditionally steam distilled to produce ginger essential oil, But you can also create your own ginger oil infusion at home. Here's what to do:13
Materials:
Fresh ginger
1 1/2 cups olive oil
Oven-safe bowl
Cheese grater
Procedure:
Rinse a cup of fresh ginger, including the skin, thoroughly, and let dry for a few hours.
Pour the olive oil in an oven-safe bowl.
Chop the ginger and then shred using a clean cheese grater. Add to the olive oil and mix well.
Put the mixture in the oven and leave it to simmer under low heat (150 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least two hours.
Pour the mixture through an unbleached cheese cloth to filter it and take out the bits of ginger. Once all the oil has been filtered, squeeze out the remaining oil from the cheese cloth.
Transfer the ginger oil into clean vials or bottles and store in a cool dry place.
This ginger oil infusion can stay fresh for up to six months.
How Does Ginger Oil Work?
Ginger oil is composed of 90 percent sesquiterpenes, which are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and other healing properties.14 When applied topically or inhaled, it has a warming and energizing effect. Ginger oil can also be ingested, but I advise doing this under the supervision of a qualified health physician.
Is Ginger Oil Safe?
As long as it's not used in very strong concentrations, ginger oil is generally safe, as it is non-toxic and non-irritating. If you have sensitive skin, please do a skin patch test before using ginger oil (or any essential oil, for that matter) to see if you have any allergic reactions to it.
You should also consider diluting ginger oil in other carrier oils. Some of the best choices are citrusy and spicy oils like neroli, frankincense, bergamot, ylang-ylang, rose, and sandalwood.15
Ginger oil may be phototoxic, so avoid applying it on skin areas that will be exposed to the sun within 24 hours after application.16 I also advise pregnant women and nursing moms to use ginger oil with caution, even though it has been deemed useful for morning sickness. Consult your healthcare provider before use. Avoid administering this oil to very young children as well.
Side Effects of Ginger Oil
If you have any sensitivity to ginger root, do not use ginger oil at all. Some potential side effects of ginger oil are heartburn, sores in mouth, nausea, and skin rashes (when applied topically).17 If you are taking any type of medication, consult your physician first if it is safe to use or ingest ginger oil.
