Ginger Essential Oil

Latin name Zingiber officinale – Family species Zingiberacae

Ginger is also referred to as Common Ginger and Jamaica Ginger.

In Aromatherapy Workbook, Shirley Price states, “The attributes of ginger oil are wide ranging; it is a digestive tonic, relieves toothache, is anticatarrhal, warming to the muscular system (indicating its use for rheumatism) and reputed to be a sexual tonic.”

Oil Selection Guide

Color – Pale yellow to pale amber to pale green
Viscosity – Watery to slightly viscous
Scent – Warm, fresh, woody, spicy, green
Perfume Aroma – Top / middle note

Oil Source Information

Plant Type – Plant
Part Used – Root / Rhizome
Countries of Origin – India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Java, Nigeria, Jamaica, West Indies, West Africa
Extraction Method – Steam distillation

Known Chemical Constituents

Alpha zingiberene, beta zingiberene, gingerin, gingenol, gingerone, linalol, borneol, ar curcumene, camphene, neral, b-bisacolene

Uses of Ginger Oil

In addition to being used in aromatherapy applications, Ginger is found in perfumery and used commercially in food and drink products.

Ginger blends well with

Special Precautions*

Use only in very small quantities, if at all. Make sure to do a skin patch test if you have not used ginger oil before and plan to do so on the skin.
Ginger essential oil is phototoxic.
* See Safety and Usage.

References and Resources

See References and Resources page.