Native to China, ginger oil comes from, as you might expect, ginger root. With a warm, sweet and spicy scent that has an energizing effect, ginger oil has high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Both ginger root and ginger oil have been used in folk medicine for centuries because it is believed to soothe inflammation, colds, headaches, menstrual cramps, nausea and upset stomachs, and even arthritis. If you are interested in spicing up your routine, here are five amazing uses for ginger oil.
5 Uses for Ginger Oil
Improve Your Mood
Ginger oil can help improve a negative mood. Because it is stimulating and warming, the scent is believed to inspire positive and hopeful feelings and promote a balanced mindset. Breathing in the smell of ginger is often used to soothe stress, sadness, and anxiety.
There are a few different ways that ginger oil can be used in aromatherapy. Two or three drops can be added to a diffuser, or it can be made into a spray to freshen a room. It can also be diffused using a diffuser necklace or bracelet, which either have special stones (usually lava stones) or a locket-style mechanism with removable diffuser pads where a few drops of the oil can be added so that you can breathe in the scent of ginger all day.
Restore Your Skin
Ginger oil is often added to creams and scrubs to soothe skin redness, eliminate bacteria, reduce signs of skin damage and aging, and restore a dull complexion. In a 2015 study, ginger oil was found to have high antioxidant activity, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and skin roughness, making skin appear younger and more vibrant. It is also used to help eliminate bacteria on the skin because of its antiseptic properties.
Soothe Aches and Reduce Inflammation
Ginger oil is a natural alternative to pain medication and can provide relief without a lot of side effects, so because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is used to soothe sore muscles, headaches, backaches, and even menstrual cramps. Research has also found that a daily application of a blend of several essential oils, including ginger oil, applied to the skin led to lower levels of inflammation and less severe arthritis pain.
One way to get these soothing benefits is to soak in a warm bath that has 2-3 drops of essential oil added to the water. It can also be breathed in through steam inhalation by adding a few drops of ginger oil to a bowl of steaming water and draping a towel over your head. Then, keeping your eyes closed, place your head over the steaming bowl and inhale deeply. This method works best for helping to soothe a cold, but can also be used to help soothe a headache.
Treat Dry, Brittle Hair
Ginger oil is also occasionally used to soothe scalp dryness and itchiness, and promote hair growth. It can make hair more manageable, softer, and shinier. There are several vitamins and minerals in ginger oil that boost hair growth by helping to stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which then encourages hair growth.
Its antiseptic properties also lend to it being used to prevent and get rid of dandruff. Just add a few drops of ginger oil to regular shampoo or use in a homemade hair mask.
The oil also contains fatty acids that can help if you suffer from split ends. Put a few drops of ginger essential oil in a spray bottle with water and use it before washing your hair, or add it to your favorite leave-in conditioner. You will have the added bonus of it also helping to detangle your hair.
Ease Tummy Trouble
Ginger is well-known for its use with digestive trouble, and has been used to treat stomach troubles for centuries. Many people eat ginger chews or incorporate ginger root into their diets to help aid digestion. The oil can also be used to help digestion, cure an upset stomach, and relieve nausea. A 2018 research review even found that ginger oil was effective in relieving nausea during pregnancy.
Just as it helps with improving one’s mood, aromatherapy using ginger essential oil can help ease nausea or stomach discomfort.
[td_smart_list_end]
There is a reason that ginger and ginger oil have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. It is the perfect natural remedy for so many little things that everyone experiences – an upset stomach, headaches, and the occasional crabby mood. It is also a surprising solution to those little annoyances like menstrual cramps and dandruff. Ginger oil may just be the magical solution that you did not know you needed in your life.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out this article on Alternative Medicine for Moms: How it Can Make All the Difference on Your Wellness Journey.
Sources: About Ginger Oil, Ginger Essential Oil: Uses, Benefits, and More, Potential of native Thai aromatic plant extracts in antiwrinkle body creams, Topical dermal application of essential oils attenuates the severity of adjuvant arthritis in Lewis rats, Effects of Complementary Medicine on Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
