Ginger CO2 (Zingiber officinale)

THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES: antiseptic, stimulant, stomachic, aphrodisiac, febrifuge, expectorant

AFFINITY FOR: circulation, memory, digestive system, small intestine, stomach meridian, base chakra
RESONANCE: physical, emotional, mental
PLANT FAMILY: Zingiberaceae
PART UTILIZED: Root
EXTRACTION METHOD: Carbon dioxide

AROMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: CO-2 extracted ginger essential oil has a warm, spicy, woody aroma with a hint of lemon and pepper. It is quite close the aroma of the powdered spice.

APPLICATION: CO-2 extracted ginger oil should be diluted well before topically applied.

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL/MENTAL ASPECTS: (See ginger essential oil)

PHYSICAL ASPECTS: (See ginger essential oil)

GENERAL INFORMATION: Ginger root is a perennial herb that grows 3 - 4 feet high. The root or tuberous rhizome is the part of the plant used. Using CO-2 to extract this essential oil yields a greater number of aromatic compounds than when it is distilled using steam distillation. Under certain conditions at very low temperatures carbon dioxide (CO-2) can be pressurized to become a liquid. This cold, liquid carbon dioxide acts as a "solvent" and can be used to extract the essential oil components from the root material. Once the essential oil extraction has been completed, the extraction vessel is brought back to normal temperature and the CO-2 rapidly coverts to gas, leaving behind a high quality oil that is free of solvents.

CAUTIONS: Ginger oil is extremely potent, almost to the point of being caustic. If it is used undiluted or used to frequently, it may irritate sensitive skin. The oil is also phototoxic; skin which has been applied with ginger oil needs to be kept out of direct sunlight for at least 12 hours.