How to Use Ginger Oil

Written by Dorene Petersen, Founding President of American College of Healthcare Sciences, ACHS.edu. Based on Dorene’s article, Generous Ginger Essential Oil, first published in the International Herb Association Ginger Herb of the Year™ 2023. Reprinted with permission.

How to Use Ginger Oil

Ginger Oil Zingiber officinale Roscoe, has established itself as a reliable companion for digestive comfort, yet it is equally prized for its vibrant role in enhancing culinary delights. With its inviting, freshly warm, woody essence imbued with subtle spiciness and hints of citrus, ginger adds a zestful dimension to dishes. This comforting and invigorating ginger fragrance is perfect for diffusing or blending, whether you’re celebrating the holidays or simply seeking to craft a welcoming, refreshing, and invigorating ambiance anytime.

We have put together a few “essential” Ginger Oil recipes that show its therapeutic benefits, fragrance depth, and versatility.

Ginger Oil Recipes

Anti-Nausea Calming Blend

4 drops Ginger Oil Zingiber officinale
7 drops Bergamot Oil Citrus aurantium var. Bergamia
10 drops Lavender Oil Lavandula angustifolia
4 drops Peppermint Oil Mentha piperita
30 mls Camelia Oil Camelia sinensis:

Instructions: Blend all single essential oils together, leaving out the carrier oil (Camelia Oil or other). In a separate bottle, combine 10 drops of the essential oil blend with 30 ml of Camelia Oil or other carrier oil. Apply to earlobes, the base of the neck, and the inside of wrists. You can also put the blend into a personal inhaler tube.

Tip: You can also use the pure essential oil blend without the carrier oil in an at-home diffuser.

Ginger Joint Ease Blend

¼ oz Arnica Oil (infused) Arnica montana
4 drops Ginger Oil Zingiber officinale
10 drops Lavender Oil Lavandula angustifolia
8 drops Peppermint Oil Mentha piperita
8 drops Rosemary Oil Rosmarinus officinalis
1 cup Peanut Oil

Instructions: Blend all essential oils with arnica-infused oil and peanut oil. Massage joints frequently with the oil formula.

Renowned herbalist Susan Belsinger shares she enjoys Dorene’s Joint Ease Blend blend and shares it with friends and family. Susan discovered the blend in Dorene Petersen’s article, Generous Ginger Essential Oil, published in the International Herb Association’s Ginger Herb of the Year™ 2023 book. “I have given many bottles (I use tincture bottles, so it is easy to control amounts by the dropper) to friends and family who have joint and arthritis pain. Really, I do not know anyone who can’t use it, and it smells so good,” Susan shared.

Travel Blend

10 drops Lavender Oil Lavandula angustifolia
7 drops Grapefruit Oil Citrus paradisi
4 drops Ginger Oil Zingiber officinale
4 drops Peppermint Oil Mentha ×piperita

Instructions: Blend all oils. When traveling by air, place it on the air vent above your seat. For skin application, add 10 drops to a base oil of your choosing and apply to earlobes, base of neck, and inside of wrists while in the air. It is important to drink at least two 8-ounce glasses of water hourly while traveling.

Sports Rub

10 drops Lavender Oil Lavandula angustifolia
8 drops Peppermint Oil Mentha piperita
8 drops Rosemary Oil Rosmarinus officinalis
4 drops Ginger Oil Zingiber officinale
¼ oz Arnica Oil (infused) Arnica montana infused
1 cup Peanut Oil

Instructions: Blend all essential oils with arnica-infused oil and peanut oil. Apply the Sports Rub recipe and massage it into the skin. After the massage is complete, we recommend applying an ice pack.

Substitutions: For nut allergies, be sure to substitute a non-nut base carrier oil.

Safety Guidelines Regarding the Use of Ginger Oil

Ginger’s toxic rating is I.²

A skin patch test is recommended for anyone with sensitive skin as it may cause irritation. This usually occurs when applied at full strength, which is not recommended. There have been reports of insignificant potential photosensitivity; however, for anyone with sun sensitivity, exercise caution.

Do not apply full strength to the face, eyes, or nose.
Avoid diffusion for longer than 15 minutes in a well-ventilated room for children under 10 years of age.
Ginger essential oil, oleoresin, or CO2 extract should not be used while experiencing morning sickness or during pregnancy.

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Tags: Aromatherapy and Essential Oils, blending, ginger

Dorene Petersen

Dorene is the Founding President of the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS). She has over 50 years of clinical teaching and lecturing experience in aromatherapy and other holistic health subjects. She has presented papers on essential oils and clinical aromatherapy at the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades Annual Conference (IFEAT) in California, USA; the Aroma Environment Association of Japan (AEAJ) in Tokyo, Japan; the Asian Aroma Ingredients Congress (AAIC) and Expo in Bali, Indonesia; the International Center of Advanced Aromatherapy (ICAA) at the WonGwang Digital University in Seoul, Korea; as well as the AAIC Expo in Kunming, Yunnan, China. Dorene is a founding member of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) and served as its chair until 2023. Dorene is also involved in the distance education community and has served as a volunteer, committee member, and standards evaluator for the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Dorene is a travel junkie, and has led ACHS Study Abroad programs to India, Indonesia, Greece, and Hawaii! Founding President Dorene Petersen holds a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology from Otago University, New Zealand, a Diploma in Natural Therapeutics from the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies in Auckland, New Zealand, and completed specialized training in Chinese herbal medicine and moxibustion. She has also completed part one of the Advanced International Training Program in essential oils at Purdue University. In addition to her work as Founding President of the College, Dorene teaches courses for ACHS and leads the ACHS study abroad programs to Greece, India, and Indonesia, which explore holistic health, holistic nutrition, and therapeutic aromatherapy and distillation, among other topics.