The Zingiberaceae Family
Overview- Your animated companion will orient you to this lesson. Please take some time to listen to her overview.
Please head over to the Ship’s Library. We will only cover three essential oils from this family, two of which are well-known. If you have these essential oils and your notebook, bring them with you. Snuggle into your favourite chair and get comfy.
When seated, read the notes and watch the videos on this page. You previously encountered Ginger in the Free Cruise part of the program. Remember to take notes to enhance your future memory of the ginger family. Your scent impression sheet link and workbook can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
The members of the Zingiberaceae family used in aromatherapy are spices you are probably familiar with from cooking. They are primarily from tropical areas, such as India and Africa.
Cardamom/Cardamon
Cardamom is a tall shrub with long and silky leaves.
Elettaria cardamomum
From: South America
Class: Esters, Oxide
Top 3 Constituents– 1,8-Cineole, Alpha-Terpinyl acetate, Linalyl acetate.(Lawrence 1995 p.199)
Steam distilled seeds
Respiratory: Mix with other essential oils and diffuse to ease a cough, congestion, bronchitis, and chills. Cardamom warms the body.
Digestive: Cardamom has been used as a spice for over 1000 years.
It may be helpful for anorexia. Dilute and rub into the tummy for colic, cramps, gas, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. Add a drop to a glass of water and gargle for bad breath. It is said to neutralize the scent of garlic.
Purchon and Cantele, pg. 42, say that cardamon stimulates appetite and eases gas, nausea, and diarrhea pain when used in baths, massages, or hot compresses.
Tisserand pg. 232 says cardamon oil significantly inhibited gastric irritation and ulcerative lesions induced by ethanol and aspirin in rats. (Jamal et al. 2006)
Genito: Rub into the feet or dilute and rub into the tummy to help induce. Menstruation. Eases pregnancy or travel nausea. Sheppard-Hanger pg. 209
Cardamom essential oil offers a variety of medical and cosmetic benefits, backed by several studies.
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities: Research has highlighted cardamom essential oil’s antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, making it a valuable ingredient in cosmetic and healthcare products (MDPI). https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/3/1093
For instance, nanostructured lipid carriers containing cardamom essential oil have shown promising results in preserving its antimicrobial properties and antioxidant potential (Frontiers). https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1024820/full
Chemical Composition: The essential oil’s composition includes α-Terpinyl acetate, geranyl oleate, and oleic acid, contributing to its efficacy and aroma (MDPI). It’s interesting to note that different species of cardamom, like green, Ethiopian, and black cardamom, have unique chemical compositions and antimicrobial properties (MDPI). https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/11/2818
Therapeutic Potential: A study on cardamom seed intake in mice revealed its ability to increase energy expenditure, reduce fat mass, and influence metabolic and neural circuits, suggesting its potential for addressing obesity and metabolic disorders (MDPI). https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/4/3909
Cancer Research: Preliminary research suggests that cardamom essential oil might inhibit the progression of triple-negative breast cancer cells, indicating its potential in cancer research (INABJ). https://inabj.org/index.php/ibj/article/view/2140
Holistic Benefits: Beyond these, cardamom essential oil is believed to have various other health benefits, including improving digestion, boosting metabolism, providing a warming effect, promoting urination, and potentially addressing sexual weakness (Organic Facts). https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-cardamom-essential-oil.html
Mind: Diffuse to ease mental, fatigue and nervous strain.
Perfumery: Spicy, floral, top-mid note; Odor intensity midrange.
Blends well with bergamot, caraway, cedar, cinnamon, clove, coriander, frankincense, galbanum, geranium, juniper, labdanum, lavender, lemon, litsea cubeba, myrtle, pine, rosewood, rose, tangerine, and ylang.
Cautions: It may irritate some skin types. Please do not use it when pregnant, breastfeeding, with children under three or with pets. It can cause central nervous system or breathing problems in young children. Do not apply near the faces of infants or young children. Tisserand pg. 232 Some people experience issues after ingesting it, even in herbal form—limited internal use.
The Cardamom Video
Fill out the Scent Impressions Sheet in Your Journal for Cardamom
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Steam distilled rhizome
From: China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia.
Class: Contains monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones.
Top 3 Constituents: Zingiberene, ar-Curcumene, beta-sesquiphellandrene. (Lawrence 1995)
Favourite Use: For headaches and to relieve nausea.
Skin: Dilute and apply onto bruises and sores-acts to cut down pain and help heal.
Respiratory-Diffuse with other essential oils for catarrh, chronic bronchitis, congestion, cough, and sinusitis.
Add a drop into salt water and gargle for a sore throat or tonsillitis. Sheppard-Hanger pg. 429
Digestive: Ginger is unbeatable as a digestive, but should be used in dried form, herbally, not as an essential oil for internal use.
According to Purchon and Cantele pg. 62, Ginger tones the digestive system and stimulates the production of gastric juices. It can increase appetite, aid digestion, and relieve cramps and spasms in the intestines and uterus.
It can also be diluted and rubbed onto the belly for digestive issues. It is a well-known antidote for travel sickness.
A 2015 study done on inhaling ginger essential oil after surgery showed ginger essential oil reduced nausea and vomiting postoperatively in a significant way. Complement Ther Med. 2015 Dec;23(6):827-31 Epub2015, Oct 30
When inhaled, a blend of lemon and ginger oil (2:1) decreased salivary gland damage after radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer in a randomized, controlled trial of 71 patients. Nakayama M et al, Biomed Res Int 2016;2016:9509810.
Muscular– Ginger shines as a pain reliever. Dilute and use in rubs for arthritis, fatigue, muscle aches, pains, injury, sprains, circulation, and rheumatism. Sheppard-Hanger pg. 429 Use in concentrations no higher than 1-2%.
Ginger is an anti-parasitic. It increases drug and herb absorption.
Protects the liver.
Immune: Add ginger to a bath or massage blend to alleviate chills, colds, flu, fever, and infections. Ginger helps raise body temperature, especially in the core. It can also reduce a fever by increasing sweating.
Here are a few new studies on Ginger–
General Health Benefits of Ginger: Ginger, widely known for its rhizome, is utilized as a spice and an herb, celebrated for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-carcinogenic properties. These benefits are primarily due to the variety of bioactive compounds present in ginger. It’s used in various food products to enhance antioxidant and nutraceutical values, flavour, and shelf life (MDPI). https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/12/11/2015
Diverse Bioactivities: Ginger contains phenolic compounds, terpenes, polysaccharides, and more, contributing to its multiple biological activities. These include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. Such wide-ranging bioactivities underline ginger’s potential in developing functional foods or nutraceuticals for chronic disease prevention and management (MDPI). https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/8/6/185
Pharmacological Properties: Ginger’s major pharmacological activities are attributed to gingerol and shogaol. It exhibits various pharmacological actions, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, which are beneficial across a spectrum of health areas (IntechOpen – Open Science Open Minds).https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/70485
Neurodegenerative Disease Prevention: The bioactive compounds in ginger, influenced by factors like maturation state and processing, play a significant role in its potential to prevent neurodegenerative diseases. The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of these compounds are crucial for their effectiveness in the body (Frontiers). https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.809621/full
Mental: Mentally stimulating but grounding. It warms flat emotions and helps sensitive people protect themselves.
Perfumery: Spicy, Top-Mid note; Odour intensity high.
It blends with bay, black pepper, cajeput, caraway, cardamom, cedarwood, cinnamon, clove, coriander, eucalyptus, geranium, grapefruit, juniper, lavender, lemon, lime, mandarin, myrtle, neroli, nutmeg, orange, palmarosa, patchouli, petitgrain, pine, rose, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, spearmint, thyme, vetiver, and ylang.
Mythology: Ginger is related to the quality of courage. It was thought to attract money and be an aphrodisiac. In a Druid’s Herbal, pg. 170, ginger is said to enhance all love spells with its hot and spicy nature.
The shape of ginger is intriguing and has triggered the imagination of many. It suggests an affinity for the digestive system, according to the doctrine of signatures, a belief that linked what a plant looked like, tells humans about its ability to heal.
Cautions: Possible irritant on sensitive skin. Please do not use it on children under 3—limited internal use. It is slightly phytotoxic.
The Ginger Video
Fill out the Scent Impressions Sheet in Your Journal for Ginger
Ginger Soother Tea
The ginger deva brings so much relief! Ginger tea is made from an organic ginger root for internal use.
Add boiling water to one of the following options:
Freshly grated ginger root- (in a tea ball) 1 tsp. Per cup.
Dried ginger powder-(stir well) 1 tsp. Per cup.
1 -2 drops of ginger essential oil on a tsp. of honey to emulsify. Stir well.
Let sit for 5- 10 minutes and enjoy the taste and aroma of Ginger Soother.
Add the ginger options above to steamed or heated milk to make ginger chai. Keep very warm and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Follow the procedures above, depending on the form of ginger you choose.
Galangal (lesser) Alpinia officinalis,
Galangal is sometimes called Chinese ginger.
A greater Galangal- Alpinia galanga (Siamese ginger) has properties similar to Alpinia officinalis but is safer for youngsters. Tisserand pg. 290
Alpinia officinalis
From: China, India
Class: Monoterpene, sesquiterpene
3 top Constituents: 1,8-cineole, B-Pinene, a-Pinene
Steam distilled rhizomes
Cosmetic: Like ginger, galangal may induce perspiration.
Respiratory -Diffuse for bronchitis.
Digestive- Dilute and rub into the tummy for indigestion, colitis, and spasms. Sheppard-Hanger pg. 101
Galangal is thought to be an aphrodisiac.
There are a couple of interesting studies on the galangal plant.
Medicinal Properties: Lesser galangal has been noted for its anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, and antioxidant activities. It’s also been studied for its potential antiemetic (anti-nausea) and antimicrobial effects and its possible role in enhancing memory and cognitive function (Agric4Profits). https://agric4profits.com/15-medicinal-health-benefits-of-alpinia-officinarum-lesser-galangal/
Digestive and Skin Health: Traditionally, lesser galangal is used to improve digestive health and soothe stomach issues. It’s also recognized for its antioxidant properties, vital for combating oxidative stress and promoting skin health. Galangal juice treats skin conditions and promotes hair health by stimulating blood circulation to the scalp (Healthy Focus). https://healthyfocus.org/health-benefits-of-galangal/
Mind: Mental stimulant.
Perfumery: Mid-bottom note; spicy; high odour intensity.
It blends with citrus, elemi, frankincense, lavendin, myrtle, neroli, opopanax, palmarosa, pine needle, patchouli, and rosemary.
Cautions: Avoid during pregnancy. Please do not use it with babies or children as it can cause central nervous system or breathing problems in young children. Do not apply to or near the face of infants or children. It can be a skin irritant. Please do not use it internally.
The Galangal Video
Could you fill out the scent impressions sheet in your journal for Galanga?
You will find your Practical Potions Journal, spicy information, and recipes in Downloads. Here is your link to the Scent Impressions Download Page- https://www.northernstarcourses.com/lesson/f-the-scent-impressions-sheet/