Ginger oil

Ginger oil comes from the dried or unpeeled roots – the so-called rhizomes – of the ginger plant (Zingiber Officinale).

The roots are extracted by either cold pressing or steam distillation and the roots yield 2-4% oil.

Despite the fact that the health benefits of ginger oil are poorly documented, it has long been used for medicinal purposes.

In this article you can read about the effects of ginger oil on our health and what it can be used for in practice.

Properties of ginger oil

Undocumented properties

Although ginger oil is credited with many different beneficial properties and is often touted as a treatment option for diseases such as osteoarthritis and cancer, these properties have never been scientifically proven (despite the fact that there are several scientific studies in the field).

Below is an overview of the health problems that many supporters claim ginger oil can help with:

It should be emphasized that the above problems cannot be alleviated with ginger oil. If you are ill, you should consult a doctor.

Researched properties with a lack of evidence

Ginger has long been used as a natural medicine and for this reason its effects on humans have long been discussed in medical circles. As a result, there are now numerous studies on the effects of ginger oil on the health of humans and various laboratory animals. However, not all studies have produced clear, unambiguous results or conclusions. In addition, there are several studies that contradict each other.

Since there is no clear scientific evidence of ginger oil's effect on the following diseases, it cannot be considered proven:

• Respiratory tract: A 2013 study showed that ginger oil has a bronchodilating effect on the airways of rats, which means that ginger oil may have medicinal potential for some respiratory diseases. A similar study on the anti-inflammatory effect of ginger oil on human airway cells has also suggested that some of the compounds in ginger may be used as medicine to treat respiratory infections

• Stomach ulcers: A 2009 study on rats has shown that ginger oil has a protective effect against stomach ulcers caused by the use of the drug aspirin. However, as the study was conducted exclusively on rats, these properties cannot be assumed to also apply to humans

• Cancer: Several studies have indicated that ginger oil may be used in the treatment of cancer, but the effect has not yet been scientifically proven. For the same reason, there is also no cancer treatment that involves the use of ginger oil

• Osteoarthritis: A study on rats has shown that ginger oil in combination with the organic compound eugenol can reduce swelling in joints affected by osteoarthritis. As mentioned, the study was only conducted on rats, which does not prove an effect on humans

As mentioned, there is no scientific evidence that ginger oil can be used to treat the above diseases.

Documented properties

• Biocidal properties: Ginger oil can be used against certain types of fungi and insects. These properties are supported by numerous studies as well as the use of ginger oil in specific products (such as insecticides and antifungals)

• Anti-inflammatory properties: There are several studies that have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger oil in humans and laboratory animals. However, it has not yet been scientifically proven that ginger oil can be used to treat diseases (that cause inflammation) in either humans or animals
• Antioxidant: Ginger oil is a natural antioxidant, which has been confirmed in numerous studies. This can of course be interesting for human health, but also for scientific and commercial purposes (e.g. extending the shelf life of food, protecting DNA, etc.) However, it should be emphasized that scientific understanding of the effects of antioxidants on the body is still limited and it is not known whether all antioxidants (including those found in ginger oil) are beneficial to health or not

Uses of ginger oil

The skin

If ginger oil is applied directly to the skin, it should always be diluted 1:1 with a base oil.

Aromatherapy

In the world of aromatherapy, ginger oil is mainly used for air diffusion, massage oil and in hot baths and compresses. You can also drip a few drops into a hand towel, which is said to help with colds and flu.

Ginger oil is particularly suitable for mixing with citrus oils and spicy oils:

Precautionary measures

• All consumption of ginger oil is not recommended (both as a dietary supplement, cooking oil, in tea, etc.)
• Ginger oil can rarely irritate the skin (especially in larger quantities)
• Ginger oil is slightly phototoxic