The name Ginger is derived from the Sanskrit word Sringavera (meaning shaped like a horn) and the plant originates from India, being commonly found in South East Asia. The essential oil of ginger is extracted from the rhizome by distillation. Ginger oil has a warm, spicy-woody odor. It blends well with spice and citrus oils.

The plant is said to originate from India, China and Java, yet is also native to Africa and the West Indies. It was most likely brought to Europe between the 10th and 15th century as a condiment and spice. Ginger is a perennial herb and grows to about 3 - 4 feet high with a thick spreading tuberous rhizome. Every year it shoots up a stalk with narrow spear-shaped leaves, as well as white or yellow flowers growing directly from the root.

It has been used as a medicine since very early times and is recorded in both Sanskrit and Chinese texts and is also mentioned in the literature of the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Arabians.

Asian medicine uses dried ginger for stomach problems such as stomach-ache, diarrhea, and nausea. The Chinese also use it to boost the heart and to help with mucus and phlegm.

The name ginger is said to be derived from the Gingi district in India, where tea made from ginger is used for stomach upsets.

Ginger oil can vary in color from pale yellow to a darker amber color and the viscosity also ranges from medium to watery. It is strong smelling oil - spicy, sharp, and warm with a hint of lemon and pepper, which smells of actual ginger.

Though unattractive in its natural appearance, ginger is one of the most highly valued spices in the world. Not only does it give food a unique spicy, peppery flavor, it’s also renowned for its healing properties. For centuries, different cultures worldwide have embraced it and sung its praises. Ginger also had a reputation for being the remedy that could cure some of the most difficult and chronic ailments. The distilled water or hydrosol was considered the best to cure for ophthalmic problems and large provisions of ginger were included as an essential ‘must take’ for seafaring travelers because of its anti-scorbutic virtues (and perhaps because it’s alleged value in travel sickness).

Benefit & uses: Ginger essential oil good for Arthritis, colds, cramps and sprains. Aphrodisiac, appetite Stimulant, moisture balancer can be comforting, warming and uplifting to the emotions. Can sharpen the sense and aid the memory, reduces the nausea of motion sickness with its aromatic, Carminative, and internally detoxifying effects. 

It has therapeutic uses areArthritis, backache, chills, circulatory health, cold and flu, decongestant, digestive system,  fractures, libido, lymphatic system, mood swings, muscle pain, rheumatism, runny nose, sinusitis and sore throat.

Ginger is very widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is said to be a Yang/spleen remedy and is supportive to the spleen, stomach and kidneys (the latter is specially indicated for men and it is classified as an aphrodisiac and considered a good remedy for impotence).

Ginger is said to be hot in the second degree and moist in the first. It is warming and has a softening effect on the belly; it is beneficial to the body against digestive ailments such as flatulence, food poisoning and constipation. 

Ginger holds just as an important place in Western medicine as it does in Eastern medicine (China, Japan and India to name but a few). It has been used on its own or included as an ingredient in specific herbal formula and also used as a ‘corrective remedy’ against the unwanted effects of other plants. It has been verified in recent research that ginger has the unique property of helping other remedies to be better accepted and assimilated by the body.