Ginger

Botanical Name:                   Zingiber officinalis
Synonym:                              Nil
Botanical Family:                  Zingieraceae
Country of Origin:                China, Indonesia, West Indies
Plant Part:                              Roots
Extraction Method:               Steam distillation
Characteristics:                    spicy, warm, slight lemon & peppery scent
Properties:                             
analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, cephalic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic,sudorific, tonic
Chemical Constituents:       
α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, borneol, γ-terpineol, nerol, neral, geraniol, geranial, geranyl acetate, β-bisabolene, zingiberene
 
Indications:
 
Mind & Spirit:           
                       
Stimulating and grounding
Warms the spirits.
 
Body:                         
 
Boosts circulation
Relieves chesty coughs, colds, catarrh, sore throats, tight/stiff muscles
Warms and freshens tired/cold feet
Aids digestive problems such as nausea and stomach ache
Clears bruises
Reduces swelling from fluid retention
Promotes menstruation and eases cramps
 
Contraindications:                May cause some sensitisation in some people
Note:                                       Top
Odour Intensity:                    7
Blends well with:                  
Cedarwood, bay, black pepper, cajeput, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, lemon, lime, myrtle, nutmeg, orange, rosemary, peppermint, tangerine, tea tree, thyme
 
Traditions:                 
Included in the Ancient Greek and Arab pharmacopoeia, Ginger has been highly esteemed throughout the ages.  Ginger was used in the middle ages to counter the Black Death.  It was considered a universal medicine in Ayurvedic Medicine and was considered a physical and spiritual cleanser.  Chinese sailors chewed ginger to prevent sea sickness and it was prescribed to treat arthritis, kidney problems as well as break up phlegm and strengthen the heart by Chinese physicians.