Spotlight: Ginger Essential Oil

Widely known for adding spice and flavor too many popular dishes, the ginger root has a variety of benefits and uses that reach far beyond the culinary realm. Taken from the underground stem of the ginger plant, Ginger essential oil has warming and soothing properties that make it useful in everyday life. Taken internally, doTERRA Ginger oil can be used to ease occasional nausea and aid in digestion. With a spicy, fresh aroma, it works well in a variety of diffuser blends. Ginger oil can also substitute for ginger flavoring in your favorite recipes.

Ginger essential oil is taken from the rhizome, or underground stem, of the ginger plant. A highly aromatic plant, ginger has thick roots, long shoots with leaves, and pale flowers.  For centuries, the ginger root has been used in cooking practices to add flavor, or dried and powdered as a spice.

Ginger Essential Oil Uses & Benefits

1. Ginger has been an integral ingredient in many recipes, particularly for Asian dishes. When you want to add the sweet, spicy flavor of ginger to a meal, you can simply use Ginger essential oil in the place of whole ginger in your favorite recipes. It is also very useful for baked goods like ginger snaps, banana bread, pies, and more.  
2. Because of its soothing properties, Ginger may help reduce occasional nausea when taken internally, making it a good essential oil to carry with you on-the-go.  Just take a drop or two in water to help ease your discomfort. When you take a long car ride or drive along winding roads, diffuse Ginger oil in the car or place a drop of Ginger in the palm of your hand and inhale to enjoy its calming, soothing aroma. You can also apply Ginger oil topically, diluting with Fractionated Coconut Oil, as part of a soothing abdominal massage. 
3. Ginger essential oil may help reduce bloating and gas when taken internally. This benefit can be helpful before a big workout, especially if you are feeling bloated or uncomfortable. Before working out, put a drop or two in your water bottle. 
4.  Have you tried adding Ginger essential oil to your diffuser blends? You can diffuse it in the essential oil diffuser of your choice to help create a balanced, grounded feeling. If you feel your energy lagging in the late afternoon, diffuse this essential oil for an extra emotional boost. For a soothing, tropical blend, try three drops of Wild Orange, two drops of Ylang Ylang, and two drops of Ginger essential oil in your diffuser. I have shared a couple of my Ginger diffuser blends below.
5. One common internal use for Ginger essential oil is to aid with digestion. To experience these benefits of Ginger oil, take one to two drops of the oil daily to help with digestion. You can add a few drops to a glass of water instead of drinking sugary sodas.  
6. To help support healthy joint function and for antioxidant benefits add one drop of Ginger essential oil to your morning smoothies. What is your favorite smoothie recipe that includes Ginger? I will tell you mine! 
7. The warm, earthy nature of Ginger oil makes it useful for massage. When you want a stimulating or warming massage, dilute Ginger oil with Fractionated Coconut Oil and apply topically. Due to its chemical makeup, Ginger is known as a soothing essential oil. Essential oils like Ylang Ylang and Myrrh oil share similar chemical components with Ginger essential oil and are also known for their soothing properties. 

Here are just a few of my favorite Ginger diffuser blends, what are yours?

Baked Goodness

•  5 drops Wild Orange
•  2 drops Ginger
•  2 drops Clove
•  2 drops Nutmeg

Autumn Spice

•  4 drops Wild Orange
•  3 drops Ginger
•  2 drops Cinnamon

Spiced Chai

•  3 drops Cardamom
•  2 drops Cinnamon
•  2 drops Clove
•  2 drop Ginger

Corn Maze

•  2 drops Clove
•  3 drops Wild Orange
•  2 drops Ginger
•  2 drops Frankincense

Snickerdoodle

•  3 drops Clove
•  3 drops Cinnamon
•  3 drops Ginger

Pumpkin Pie

•  2 drops Cinnamon
•  2 drops Ginger
•  1 drop Cardamom
•  1 drop Clove
•  1 drop Nutmeg
•  1 drop Wild Orange

I promised I would share my favorite Ginger smoothie recipe so here it is! You will be hooked I promise!

Ginger Lemon Blueberry Detox Smoothie:

1 c. frozen blueberries, I prefer organic

1 c. coconut milk

1 whole avocado, peeled and pitted 

1 drop Ginger essential oil

1 drop Lemon essential oil

1 tbsp pure maple syrup (optional)

2 scoops doTERRA vegan protein power 

1 c. ice

1 c. water

Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender until all is combined and smooth. You can add 1 frozen cut up banana for a thicker smoothie if that is you prefer. 

I hope you enjoy the smoothie and diffuser blends recipes as much as I do!!  Please share your favorites with me in the comments.

Blessings!

XOXO-Alisha