10 Benefits of Ginger Essential Oil

If you’re familiar with the warming and stimulating effects of ginger root but don’t know much about ginger essential oil then you are going to love this article covering the benefits of ginger essential oil. 

The praised herbaceous perennial plant has been used in Asian cuisine for thousands of years. Think about it, it’s served on the side of your sushi, mixed in your stir fry, and brought to you to cleanse your palate. It’s a natural flavor enhancer and a natural medicine.

Originally from southern China, ginger was brought to other parts of Asia, the Spice Islands, and West African countries. And for health benefits that only make sense: it can calm an upset stomach, relieve constipation, and support healing. 

Here’s where it gets even more exciting. Ginger essential oil (ginger root’s more potent spirit animal) contains powerful properties that allow it to work it’s magic. Ginger essential oil can be used to treat countless conditions including nausea, hormone imbalances, cramps, neurotransmitter deficiencies and more. Ginger essential oil aromatherapy is also known to foster empowerment, courage, and confidence. This is one of the main reasons why I love inhaling ginger essential oil throughout my day. 

In this article, we’re putting ginger essential oil in the spotlight. We’ll discuss it’s top properties, benefits, uses, and how-to’s. If you don’t already have this essential oil in your arsenal, consider this as a sign to buy. 

Healing Properties of Ginger Essential Oil 

Ginger’s botanical name is Zingiber officinale and comes from the Zingiberaceae plant family. Ginger essential oils contains active substances including a-pinene, B-pinene, borneol, camphene, geraniol, geranyl acetate, and y-terpineol–crucial components that make the essential oil what it is:

• Anti-inflammatory 
• Analgesic 
• Antispasmodic 
• Decongestant 
• Digestive 
• Laxative 
• Neurotonic
• Stimulant  

This is the beauty of ginger essential oil. One little bottle, tons of opportunity. I obsess over anything natural that is versatile. Ginger essential oil offers a variety of health benefits so not only are you getting bang for your buck, but you’re using a natural treatment as a first line of defense…and I don’t want to be forward, but it will most likely be your only line of defense. 

10 Health Benefits of Ginger Essential Oil 

Experts say we can harness the power of ginger essential oil to reduce nausea, calm migraines, treat menstrual pains, alcohol addiction, congestion, and more. Sound like something you could get on board with? Let’s take a deeper look. 

Nausea, Loss of Appetite & Morning Sickness  

If there is one thing ginger essential oil (and ginger in general) is known for it’s helping with an upset stomach. Upset stomachs can be a result of vertigo, morning sickness, motion sickness, and just good ol’ out of nowhere nausea. 

If you struggle with nausea or are experiencing morning sickness, research says using ginger essential oil for nausea can be powerful. A 2013 study analyzed the aromatic and topical effects of ginger and peppermint essential oils on female subjects with dysmenorrhea. The study found that ginger essential oil relieved nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and fatigue. 

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How to Use: 

• Diffuse 6-8 drops 
• Take a drop of ginger essential oil in a glass of warm water 
• Dilute with a carrier oil and apply to wrists or bottoms of feet 

Digestive Issues & Constipation 

Whether you struggle with diarrhea, constipation or experience bloating and abdominal discomfort all too often, ginger essential oil can help. Ginger essential oil has powerful laxative and stimulant properties that enhance proper digestion and absorption of food in the intestines.  

Because ginger essential oil is anti-inflammatory it can help with irritable bowel syndrome, celiac, and leaky gut. You can also get relief from pain and discomfort caused by bloating and swelling. 

 How to Use: 

• Topical: Apply diluted ginger essential oil over abdomen 
• Internal: Take 1-2 drops in a glass of warm water 

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Cramps, Sore Muscles, & Spasms 

Ginger essential oil is one of my favorite menstrual cramp remedies. Experience complete relief from headaches, migraines, backaches, and menstrual cramps by using ginger oil to increase blood circulation and reduce inflammation. It’s my main side kick during my time of the month but that’s not the only time I harness its magical powers. 

University of Georgia conducted a study that confirmed that daily consumption of ginger essential oil soothes muscular pain caused by exercise. When my husband and I have an intense workout we make sure to consume a 1-2 drops in warm water before and after exercise. It’s way better than some junky post-workout bologna. 

How to Use:

•       Dilute a couple drops of ginger essential oil and massage into area of discomfort
•       Enjoy warming relief 

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Cognitive Support

Again, ginger essential oil just keeps getting better. Here’s how it can help support and boost brain function. Ginger essential oil is overflowing with antioxidants. Oxidation is the leading cause of not only heart disease and cancer but also dementia. Making sure your body is getting a ton of antioxidants is what is going to help reduce the risk associated with organ aging. Because ginger essential oil is so rich in antioxidants it has the ability to fight free radical damage AKA oxidative damage. 

Not only that, but studies have shown that anti-inflammatory agents have beneficial effects in lowering and combatting neurological diseases. Neuroinflammation (inflammation of the nervous tissue) is caused by a variety of problems including infection, toxic metabolites, autoimmunity, and traumatic brain injury. Neuroinflammation has been reported to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. These neuroinflammatory processes have been associated with the activation of cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. 

Researchers studied rats with induced neurotoxicity: one group was administered ginger essential oil, another turmeric essential oil, and another group was the control. The goal of the study was to see if ginger essential oil (a known anti-tumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent) could have a positive effect on these neurotoxic biomarkers.  

The study found that the rat group administered ginger essential oil showed to have a decrease in IL-6 and TNF-αlevels (cytokines that have been linked to neuroinflammatory processes) while also no decrease in IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine). The control group showed no positive change in the biomarkers. 

What this means is that ginger essential oil can have wonderful benefits for cognitive function and overall brain health. Personally, I think inhaling ginger essential oil improves my memory and brain function, and that’s something I need to stay on the ball. 

How to Use:

•     Inhale 1-2 drops in palm 
•     Take 1-2 drops in a capsule

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Hormone & Blood Sugar Balance 

These days it’s almost impossible to avoid products that contain endocrine disruptors. Well, not completely but it’s definitely harder than it used to be. Combine synthetic fragrances and other junky products with stress of daily life, excessive caffeine consumption, processed foods, and other additives and we’ve got ourselves some serious hormone imbalance. 

More than ever people are getting pre-diabetes (some don’t even know yet!) and we are in dire need of finding an all-natural solution. I’m not saying that you can eat all the sugary foods and drink all the lattes in the world if you use ginger essential oil BUT ginger essential oil will help balance hormones and blood sugar. 

A 2012 study suggests that ginger may improve long-term blood sugar control in those with type 2 diabetes. The major active component in ginger, gingerols, was shown to increase uptake of glucose into muscle cells without the use of insulin. This means that ginger essential oil can assist in the management and balance of high blood sugar levels (5). 

Ginger also helps regulate hormones because it’s a fantastic metabolizer. Ginger essential oil is incredible for gut health. It makes sure that your body is getting all the nutrients you need and flushing out the bad stuff. Because we have more neurotransmitters going from our gut to our brain than our brain to our gut, what we consume has a direct effect on how we feel. Ginger essential oil allows our hormones to regulate and balance out thus reducing cravings! Bonus (6). 

How to Use:

•     Take 1-2 drops in a capsule

Congestion, Cold, Flu, & Sore Throat 

Essential oil experts praise ginger essential oil as a natural remedy for bronchitis, colds, flu, coughs, and asthma. Just inhaling ginger can help expel mucus in the lungs and throat. The lovely expectorant lubricates your respiratory tract, soothing that terrible feeling when you have an awful cough. 

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology notes that gingers active components can calm inflammation and infections in airways. What is super cool about this is that ginger essential oil may be the perfect natural remedy for patients with asthma (7).

How to Use: 

•     Take 1-2 drops in a capsule 
•     Gargle 1-2 drops 
•     Apply 1-2 drops to bottoms of feet 
•     For congestion or sinusitis dilute and apply over chest, bridge of nose, and throat 
•     Diffuse 5-6 drops 
•     Drop 1-2 drops in warm water with lemon 

Anxious Feelings, Low Self-Esteem, & Fatigue 

One of my favorite ways to use ginger essential oil is a deep inhale of the bottle midday. Because ginger is stimulating, it has the ability to wake me up, get me focused, relieve anxious feelings, and keep me on track. Ginger essential oil is considered the oil of empowerment because it fosters courage and self-confidence. And I know I’m not the only one that can use a little self-confidence. If I’m ever feeling fatigued, a little ginger aromatherapy will do the trick.

But for more serious emotional issues, like depression or consistent fear of rejection, you can still find peace with ginger essential oil. Swiss researchers confirmed that ginger essential oil activates your serotonin receptor aka your happy hormone. This helps relieve anxiety and feelings of “I’m not good enough” (8). 

More interesting research published by ISRN Obstetrics and Gynecology noted that women experienced serious PMS relief after taking ginger capsules before their cycle. Now, I am here for that! (9)

How to Use:

•     Inhale 1-2 drops
•     Diffuse 5-8 drops
•     Dilute and apply to wrists, inhaling deeply 

Heartburn & Acid Reflux Relief 

Oh boy, that terrible burning pain in your chest that occurs after a meal. “Why me?!!!” you think! A lot of people experience indigestion and that burning pain can get old. If you’re sick of being in pain and feeling uncomfortable after a nice dinner out, it may be time to try ginger essential oil. 

Ginger’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may be the reason why it is so effective at treating heartburn and acid reflux. Ginger essential oil should be consumed before meals. It is wonderful at blocking unnecessary stomach acid production and suppressing H. pylori bacteria. 

How to Use:

•     Put 1-2 drops in a capsule and take before a meal 
•     Add 1-2 drops to warm water and drink before meal 

Improve Heart Health 

Keeping your heart healthy is the key to staying alive. Ginger essential oil can help improve heart health and boost blood circulation. It can also help lower cholesterol levels! Forget about cheerios…they don’t actually work. A 2016 study said that ginger essential oil was successful in reducing serum triglyceride levels and cholesterol in peritoneal dialysis patients (2). 

How to Use:

•     Add 1 or 2 drops to a tsp of carrier oil and apply over chest area 2 times a day 

Boosts Libido & Improves Sexual Performance 

Ginger essential oil is considered a natural aphrodisiac because it helps men with erectile dysfunction and loss of libido. Because of its stimulating effects, experts suggest ingesting this oil to help arouse you, increase sperm function, motility, and count. 

How to Use:

•     Ingest 1-2 drops 

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Ginger Essential Oil Blends 

Because ginger essential oil has such a strong smell, it is hard for some people to enjoy it. If you are using ginger for its aromatherapy benefits but can’t seem to get past the smell, try blending it with one of these essential oils. 

•     Cinnamon
•     Frankincense
•     Grapefruit 
•     Litsea

Now that you’ve learned all of the health benefits of ginger essential oil, what are you most excited to use it for? Is ginger already in your essential oil arsenal? Drop a comment below and let me know! 

 

 

Sources:

1. http://www.jofamericanscience.org/journals/am-sci/am0911/063_21852am0911_497_505.pdf
2. https://www.essentialoilhaven.com/ginger-essential-oil-uses-benefits/
3. https://news.uga.edu/uga-researchers-find-daily-ginger-consumption-eases-muscle-pain/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6196928/
5. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/natural-therapies/ginger.html
6. https://www.theenergyblueprint.com/essential-oils-for-hormone-balance/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3604064/ 
8.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20363635 
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4040198/ 
10. https://www.healthline.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/essential-oils-for-erectile-dysfunction#8-oils