What's So Special About Ginger?

December 14, 2023 by Sarah Villafranco, MD

Ingredient:

Ginger 

What Is the Fancy Latin Name?

Zingiber officinale 

Why Do We Love Ginger?

The welcoming warmth of ginger paired with its Latin seal of officinale approval for use in herbal medicine invites all sorts of uses in aromatherapy, skincare, and home remedies. 

Where Does Ginger Come From?

Ginger can be found all over the world today but originated in China and Southeast Asia. Its role in promoting gut health made it highly regarded in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine since good digestion is one of their shared basic rules for promoting longevity and good health. Over time, ginger and its medicinal properties found their way to the Mediterranean via traders from India. 

Is Ginger Actually a Root?

Ginger is often mistaken as a root, but it’s actually an underground continuation of the plant's stem called a rhizome. Ginger’s family, Zingiberaceae, comprises some of the oldest known spices in the world including turmeric and cardamom. So, cooking with all three creates a delicious family reunion!

What Are The Aromatherapy Benefits of Ginger?

Ginger is an uplifting oil, often comforting and mildly energizing. It's useful to reduce nausea and indigestion, and can even be taken internally by adding a drop or two to a smoothie or to your water. 

What Are The Skincare Benefits of Ginger?

Ginger has a gently warming effect on the skin, making it an amazing choice for a massage oil or butter; we have used it in our Ginger Body Mousse and Sandalwood Ginger Body Mousse. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and could be helpful when applied in the proper dilution to arthritic joints. 

Fun Facts About Ginger

  • For a warming winter bath, grate 6 oz of fresh ginger root and steep it in a gallon of boiling water for an hour. Strain, then add to your tub. (We recommend lighting a candle and locking the door, too.)
  • Our ginger essential oil is steam-distilled from fresh rhizomes to preserve its lively, true-to-plant scent. It takes roughly 330 pounds of ginger to produce just 35 ounces of oil. It must be used in a proper dilution on the skin, as it is in our seasonal Craft Series creations.
  • Ginger rhizomes are called "hands," which is not only scientifically accurate—it’s just adorable.
     

With love and gingery warmth, 

"heart with signature Sarah"

The information contained in this post is for educational interest only. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness, disease, or skin conditions. 

 

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OUR WELLNESS + SKINCARE EXPERT

Sarah Villafranco, MD

Dr. Sarah Villafranco attended Georgetown University Medical School, and went on to complete her residency in emergency medicine at George Washington University. She moved to Colorado, where she practiced as a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Aspen Valley Hospital, Snowmass Clinic, and Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, CO. After losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, she took a local soap making class, and fell in love with the chemistry and artistry of making soap. Sarah went into research mode and was alarmed to learn how many potentially harmful ingredients were in most skincare products on the market. She knew she could make better, safer products that were as effective (if not more so) than conventional products. After a few years of research and development, Sarah stepped away from the emergency room to launch Osmia Skincare in April of 2012. She remains a licensed physician in Colorado, and now helps people find healthier, happier skin as CEO of the brand.